Hole in the Rock

Located in Archangelos, Rhodes Island, the Hole in the Rock is a striking natural formation that promises breathtaking views and an encounter with the island's raw beauty. While the destination itself is often described as rewarding, potential visitors should be well-prepared for significant access challenges, particularly regarding the journey to the site.

Reaching the Destination: A Test of Endurance (and Vehicle Type) 🚗🚶‍♀️

One of the most frequently mentioned aspects of visiting the Hole in the Rock is the difficulty in reaching it by land. User reviews consistently highlight issues with the access road and navigation:

1. Unpaved and Challenging Roads: The path leading to the site is largely unpaved, uneven, and can be described as "sketchy." Lower-clearance vehicles, such as a Yaris, are often deemed unsuitable for navigating these "roads." Drivers frequently turn back due to the difficult conditions.
2. Navigation System Issues: Many visitors report that standard navigation systems can lead you astray, taking you too far or down impassable routes. A crucial tip suggests looking for a small blue sign to turn off the main path, rather than continuing past an "iron gate," which indicates you've gone too far.
3. Recommended Vehicles: For those determined to drive closer, a high-riding car, 4x4, or a quad bike is highly recommended to tackle the rough terrain and unpaved sections.
4. The Walk: Even if you manage to drive part of the way and park where it feels safe, be prepared for a substantial walk. This trek can be around 1km from closer parking spots or up to 2km each way from where some visitors opted to park further back. The walk itself can involve navigating "sketchy areas" and reportedly picturesque (but potentially challenging) paths through "thyme thistle fields with goats."
5. Alternative Access: For those completely deterred by the land route, accessing the Hole in the Rock by boat is mentioned as a potential alternative, offering a different perspective and bypassing the terrestrial navigation issues entirely.

The Experience: Views, Goats, and Natural Beauty 🏞️🐐

For those who successfully overcome the journey, the Hole in the Rock offers a memorable experience that justifies the effort:

• Amazing Views: Visitors consistently rave about the "amazing views" from the site, showcasing the stunning coastal landscape of Rhodes and the surrounding sea.
• The "Perfect Hole": The natural rock formation itself is the main draw, described simply as a "perfect hole" by one satisfied visitor, implying its impressive and unique geological appearance.
• Wildlife: The presence of goats running around adds to the rustic and natural charm of the location, providing an authentic Greek island feel and an interesting wildlife encounter.
• Serene Environment: Despite the access difficulties, the destination offers a sense of remote beauty and tranquility, a true escape into nature.

Important Considerations for Your Visit 🤔

Based on visitor feedback, here are key tips for planning your trip to Hole in the Rock:

• Choose Your Vehicle Wisely: Opt for a 4x4 or a vehicle with high ground clearance if you intend to drive closer. A regular rental car might struggle.
• Be Prepared for a Walk: Assume you will need to walk a significant distance, so wear sturdy, appropriate footwear for uneven terrain.
• Navigation Caution: Do not solely rely on standard GPS. Pay attention to local landmarks; look for the small blue sign before any iron gate to indicate the correct turn-off.
• Patience and Persistence: Finding and reaching the site can be a challenge, but the reward for many is the unique natural beauty and panoramic vistas.

Conclusion: Worth the Effort for the Adventurous 🌟

The Hole in the Rock is not an easily accessible attraction, and this is clearly reflected in the mixed user ratings. While some visitors found the access too challenging, leading to frustration and low ratings, others who persevered or had the right vehicle considered it absolutely "worth the visit" for its stunning natural beauty and unique features. It's a destination best suited for adventurous travelers willing to tackle unpaved roads and embark on a walk, offering a raw and authentic encounter with the Rhodian landscape. For those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience and ready for a small adventure, this hidden gem can be a highlight of your Rhodes trip.

It was a nice place to visit with the goats running round and the amazing views.However after trying to drive to the nearby carpark I ended up turning round and parking further back. I didn't feel a yaris was up to the "roads" and it appeared other visits felt the same in there cars. So once walking from where was safe to park it was then a fairly lengthy trek with some sketchy areas.Definitely worth the visit if you are in a high riding car or 4x4, otherwise be prepared for a long walk (about 2km each way or 1km from carpark)

We couldn’t find the place by car. The road isn’t paved. We didn’t want to go down on the rocks by foot. Not recommended at all.

We tried to get there by car. No luck. Maybe next time we can see it when we take a boat.

Perfect hole

As others have already described, the navigation system takes you too far.Unfortunately we couldn't see the hole, but we did have a nice... walk through a thyme thistle field with goats :)You drove too far at the iron gateDrive in at the small blue sign and park at the bottom, then follow the trail for about 1km (at least that's what the hikers who came past thought)A car for unpaved roads would be good, or a quadGood luck