The Seven Springs, known in Greek as Epta Piges, is a shaded woodland beauty spot in the hills of east-central Rhodes, inland from the resort of Kolymbia, where natural springs feed streams beneath tall plane and pine trees and keep the place cool and green even in high summer. It is one of the island’s most loved nature escapes, easy to reach and ideal for families wanting respite from the heat. Plan tickets and tours through My Greece Tours.
For wider planning, pair this spot with our Rhodes travel guide. The sections below cover what the Seven Springs are, where they are and how to get there, what you can do on site, whether to walk through the tunnel, and practical tips for your visit.
What are the Seven Springs (Epta Piges)?
The Seven Springs, or Epta Piges, is a shaded woodland beauty spot in the hills of east-central Rhodes. Natural springs feed streams that flow beneath tall plane and pine trees, keeping the site cool and green even during the hottest summer days.
The name refers to the cluster of natural springs that surface here and gather into clear streams running through the woods. Because the water flows constantly and the canopy of plane and pine trees blocks the sun, the air stays noticeably fresher than on the open coast nearby. The setting is gentle rather than dramatic: dappled light, the sound of running water, and shaded paths winding past the streams. It is the kind of place where families spread out for a few hours, children paddle at the edges, and walkers follow the easy trails through the trees. The contrast with the dry, sun-baked hills just outside is striking, and the constant shade and running water make it one of the few places on the island that stays genuinely cool at the height of summer.
Beyond the streams themselves, the spot has a distinctive man-made feature: a long, narrow tunnel built by the Italians to carry water to an artificial lake that once irrigated Kolymbia. That mix of nature and engineering gives the Seven Springs its character. Our guide to things to do in Rhodes covers more island highlights, and the next section covers where the Seven Springs are and how you get there.
Where are the Seven Springs and how do you get there?
The Seven Springs sit inland from the resort of Kolymbia, in the hills of east-central Rhodes. Most visitors drive or join a tour from the east-coast resorts, turning off the main coastal road and following signs uphill into the wooded valley.
Kolymbia is the nearest resort, set on the east coast roughly midway between Rhodes Town and Lindos, so the Seven Springs is an easy detour for anyone exploring that side of the island. The turn-off leads inland and climbs gently into the hills, where the road ends near the woodland and a car park. From there it is a short, shaded walk to the streams, the taverna and the entrance to the tunnel. Hiring a car gives you the most flexibility, letting you combine the springs with beaches and villages along the same stretch of coast. The site pairs especially well with a morning at the springs and an afternoon on the nearby east-coast sands, since the two sit only a short drive apart.
If you prefer not to drive, organised excursions and taxis serve the site from the main east-coast resorts, and the surrounding lanes are quiet enough for a relaxed approach. Allow time for the slower mountain road rather than rushing up from the coast. Our guide to where to stay in Rhodes covers basing yourself near the east coast, and the next section covers what you can do at the Seven Springs.
What can you do at the Seven Springs?
At the Seven Springs you can stroll shaded paths beside the streams, cool off in the woodland, wade through the water tunnel to the small lake, and watch peacocks and ducks roam the trees. A taverna beside the streams makes it easy to linger.
The main pleasure here is simply slowing down. Walking trails follow the streams beneath the plane and pine trees, with plenty of shady spots to pause, picnic or let children paddle in the shallow, cool water. Peacocks and ducks wander freely through the woods, which adds to the relaxed, slightly old-fashioned charm of the place and delights younger visitors. Because the canopy keeps temperatures down, it works well as a midday escape when the beaches feel too hot. Benches and clearings beside the water give easy spots to rest, and the gentle, mostly level paths make the main walk manageable for most ages and abilities.
The standout activity is the long, dark tunnel that runs through the hillside, carrying water along its floor to emerge at a small artificial lake on the far side. You can wade through it or take the footpath over the top, and either way the little lake is a peaceful spot to rest. The taverna beside the streams serves food and drinks in the shade. Our guide to Rhodes beaches covers where to swim afterwards, and the next section covers whether you should walk through the tunnel.
Should you walk through the tunnel?
Walking through the tunnel is the signature experience, but it is not for everyone. The passage is around 150 metres long, dark, low and narrow, with water roughly ankle to knee deep flowing along the floor, and it can feel claustrophobic in the confined space.
If you are comfortable in enclosed spaces, the tunnel is a memorable, slightly adventurous walk. You wade in near darkness, feeling your way along, with the cool water running past your feet until you reach the daylight and the small lake at the far end. Wear footwear you do not mind getting wet, expect the floor to be uneven, and be ready for the temperature inside to feel sharply cooler than the woods outside. Many visitors find the short crossing the highlight of their day, a small adventure that rewards a little nerve with a memorable arrival at the lake.
That said, the combination of darkness, the low ceiling and the flowing water makes the tunnel unsuitable for anyone who feels uneasy in tight, dark places, and small children may find it frightening. The good news is that a footpath runs over the top of the hill, so you can reach the lake without entering the tunnel at all. Our guide to the Valley of the Butterflies in Rhodes covers another shaded nature walk, and the next section covers the tips that help you visit the Seven Springs.
What tips help you visit the Seven Springs?
Treat the Seven Springs as an easy half-day trip. Arrive earlier in the day to beat the crowds, wear sturdy footwear you can get wet, bring water, and decide in advance whether to brave the tunnel or take the footpath over the top to the lake.
The site is popular and family-friendly, so mornings are usually calmer than the busy middle of the day, especially in high summer. Footwear matters more than you might expect: paths can be damp, the tunnel floor is uneven and wet, and flimsy sandals are a poor choice. Bring drinking water, light layers in case the shade feels cool, and perhaps a picnic if you plan to settle by the streams, although the on-site taverna means you do not have to. Insect awareness is sensible near running water and dense trees.
Plan to spend a couple of relaxed hours rather than a full day, then combine the visit with a beach or coastal village to round out the trip. Keep an eye on children near the water and at the tunnel entrance, and respect the peacocks and ducks rather than feeding or chasing them. Plan your visit and tours through our Rhodes travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Seven Springs tunnel and what is it like inside?
The tunnel is around 150 metres long and was built by the Italians to carry water to an artificial lake that once irrigated Kolymbia. Inside it is dark, low and narrow, with water flowing along the floor at roughly ankle to knee depth, so you wade rather than walk dry-shod. The confined space and near-total darkness mean it can feel claustrophobic, and the temperature drops noticeably compared with the woods outside. Many visitors find the short crossing exciting and memorable, emerging at the small lake on the far side. However, it is genuinely unsuitable for anyone uneasy in tight, dark places, and it can frighten small children. If you would rather skip it, a footpath runs over the top of the hill to the same lake, so you never miss the destination by choosing the easier route.
Is the Seven Springs suitable for families with young children?
Yes, the Seven Springs is a popular, family-friendly retreat. The shaded woodland stays cool even in high summer, the streams are shallow at the edges for paddling, and the resident peacocks and ducks are a hit with children who enjoy spotting them among the trees. The easy, mostly flat paths suit a relaxed family stroll, and a taverna beside the streams means snacks and drinks are close at hand. The main thing to plan around is the tunnel: it is dark, low and contains flowing water, so it can be too intense for young or nervous children. Fortunately the footpath over the top reaches the small lake without entering the tunnel, letting the whole family enjoy the destination on their own terms. Keep children supervised near the water and the tunnel entrance, and the visit makes a comfortable, low-effort half-day outing.
How much time should you spend at the Seven Springs and what should you bring?
Most visitors find a couple of relaxed hours is enough, which makes the Seven Springs an easy half-day trip rather than a full-day destination. That gives you time to wander the shaded paths beside the streams, cross or skip the tunnel, rest at the small lake, and perhaps pause at the taverna. Bring footwear you do not mind getting wet, because the paths can be damp and the tunnel floor is uneven and underwater. Pack drinking water, a light layer in case the shade feels cool, and insect awareness near the streams and trees. A picnic is welcome if you want to settle by the water, although the on-site taverna covers food and drinks. Arriving earlier in the day helps you enjoy the quiet before the crowds build, and pairing the springs with a nearby beach or village rounds out a comfortable day on the east coast.