Chania Gorges
Sfakia region, in the foothills of the alpine White Mountains has the most impressive gorges. The Samaria Gorge in Sfakia is the longest and most famous in Europe, while the less-known neighbouring gorges are really impressive with lush flora and very important fauna. Some of them are extremely dangerous to trek in and require guidance from an expert. The most important gorges in Chania, except Samaria, are Kallikratis, Imbros, Aradaina, Eligia, Klados, Tripiti, Agia Irini and Theriso. Smaller gorges are Asfendou, Sfakian Gorge, Prasse, Katholikos, Dittany, Syrikario, Chalase, Deliano, Iliggas, Kapni and many more.
Samaria Gorge
Klados Gorge
Tripiti Gorge (Samaria)
Eligia Gorge
Aradena Gorge
Kavis Gorge
Sfakiano Gorge
Imbros Gorge
Asfendou Gorge
Kallikratis Gorge
Agia Irini Gorge
Fygou Gorge
Vavouledo Gorge and Trahinos Gorge
Askidia or Prasses Gorge
Chosti Gorge
Pelekaniotis Gorge
Sirikari Gorge
Topolia Gorge
Kambos Gorge
Mesavlia - Deliana Gorge
Roka Gorge
Theriso Gorge
Diktamos Gorge
Avlaki or Katholiko Gorge
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Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe and also the most famous. Thousands of tourists flock there daily in the season to walk from the top to the bottom. For many of them, it is the sole purpose of their visit to Crete. The length of the trekking route reaches 18km and takes almost 4-7 hours to hike from Omalos to Agia Roumeli.
Klados gorge is the first one to the west of Samaria. The path leading to its north entrance starts from the Linosseli pass west of peak Gigilos. It is not marked except by a few “domes” - piled up rocks - at the most dangerous points, and it is evidently very infrequently crossed as the path is often blocked by bushes. A little before the entrance to the gorge there is a very dangerous spot with a chalasè (loose gravel on a steep slope) and a nine-hundred-metre precipice.
Tripiti Gorge is the second parallel gorge west of Samaria gorge. It is one of the longest gorges of Crete that needs two days, as there is no road approaching its entrance. The gorge is truly amazing with its high steep walls, many of which are cavernous (tripiti takes its name after the caves, called tripes (holes) in Greek). Apart from the rich flora, you might see some the endangered Cretan ibex wandering around the pine trees.
The gorge of Eligia is wild, small but impressive. Its entrance is in Agios Ioannis village in Sfakia (780m altitude, 92km from Chania). After hiking for 3.5 hours you reach Agios Pavlos beach, which is full of pine trees, and then you need 1 more hour to the west to reach Agia Roumeli.
The deepest and steepest gorge in Chania is the gorge of Aradaina. The 138 meter deep gorge is ideal not only for site seen or hiking but for bunjee jumping as well. The trekking inside the canyon till the exit on the majestic Marmara beach is an unforgettable experience for those who attempt the descent of the canyon
The gorge of Iligas (or Kavi) is located a few kilometers west of 
Sfakiano gorge or Vartholoma or Lago is located 2km east of 
Imbros Gorge, close to Chora Sfakion, is the second most popular gorge on Crete after Samaria. During the high season hundreds of walkers visit daily to make the trek through the valley. The walk is not particularly strenuous and can be completed in 2-3 hours. The scenery is beautiful and the relative easiness of the hike makes it an ideal walk for families with children. The length of Imbros Gorge is 11km.
The gorge of Agia Irini is on the west side of the White Mountains, with many vertical passes. It gets its name from the homonym village located near the entrance, 46 km from Chania. Its length is 7.5 km and its crossing takes three hours. The gorge ends up in the seaside village of Sougia, where there is a clean and beautiful beach where you can enjoy a memorable swimming in the waters of the Libyan Sea. Once a day, the ferry runs from the port of Sougia, to connect the village with Chora Sfakion in the east and Paleochora in the west.
The Gorge Fygou is a small, but very beautiful short canyon located near Sougia and is a sub-gorge of the popular gorge of Agia Irini. From this narrow passage the rebels of the area escaped to Sfakia mountains during the several revolutions (hence the name Fygou, i.e. escape).
Palea Roumata is a lush green area on the northern slopes of Mount Apopigadi, about 35km southwest of Chania city. There are 13 neighborhoods of the same village (Palea Roumata), which are scattered on the slopes. Close to hamlet of Lidiana the two canyons of Vavouledo and Trachinos merge. They are ideal for a cyclical route with water till late spring.
The canyon of Prasses or Askidia is located in a wooded area of the White Mountains. Its exit is located near the village Askidia (altitude 480m), which is a part of the village Prasses, hence the two names.
The canyon of Chosti is formed by the small settlement of Hosti in Chania, amid one of the most beautiful and lush green place of Crete. Away from the known tourist routes, it remains completely unknown and yet untouched. You will not find in any tourist guide referring to it, though it is a jewel of western Crete and is one of the most beautiful small canyons small, which can be easily crossed without any canyoning equipment.
At a forgotten area of the region Selino in South Chania, you will meet the well hidden gorge of Pelekaniotis River. It is the river with the most water flow in Selino and it is so important that the whole municipality of Paleochora is named Pelekanos. It has water all year round and forms a lush green valley at its exit, at Maherota location.
The gorge of Topolia is located at West Crete and it runs along the road leading to Elafonissi. The canyon actually starts near the village Strovles at an altitude of 450m, and exits near the village Topolia, at an altitude of 150m.
On the way to Elafonisi from the road running along the west coast of Crete, there is the beautiful village of Cambos belonging to Kissamos province. From there a short dirt road heads to the west which heads to the lush canyon of Kambos, the westernmost gorge of Crete.
The Gorge of Therisso (named also Eleftherios Venizelos) is located near the city of Chania. You can go there by car. The main gorge is six kilometers long. The vertical cliffs are impressive and the lush vegetation has nothing to envy of the other Chania Gorges. The place deserves a visit, even with a vehicle, cobined with a visit in the historical beautiful village of Therissos, that is built at the foot of the White Mountains at an altitude of 580 meters, just 15 kilometers from the city of Chania.
