Hiking in Crete

Tripiti
Gorge

Heraklion

Attention! The heavy rains of the last years have damaged many gorges and many paths have been destroyed so they are no longer accessible. You could inform us for such cases, so we update the listings in our website.
Tripiti Gorge
(27 votes)

The gorge of Trypiti is formed at the range Asterousia, to the south of the village Vassiliki and transfers the water from the valley east of the village Miamou through Agiosavvitis river. The length of the canyon reaches 4 km and the beautiful pebble beach Tripiti is formed at its exit. The beach is reached though a dirt road that runs high along the eastern side of the canyon for several kilometers before reaching its riverbed, just before the exit to the sea.

Narrow Gorge of TripitiThe narrow partThe canyon starts near the church of Saint Paraskevi at an altitude of 655m. The initial part of the gorge is not accessible (through the riverbed) as steep waterfalls are formed. Thus, technical experience and canyoneering equipment is necessary. Especially the western side is very steep and precipitous. Near the highest point of the western slopes, at location Katsakne, dominates the church of Prophet Elijah. The church is accessible through another dirt road that starts about half a kilometer before our entry into the gorge.

Around the middle of the gorge, next to the dirt road, we meet the church of Saint Savas surrounded by an olive wood. Characteristic of the wood of Agios Savas is that it consists of olives found in the wild and not cultivated, enabling us to see how olives are in their natural environment. Besides plants, the gorge hosts important wild- and birdlife.

Continuing towards the sea, the road meets the bed of the ravine and soon reaches the most beautiful part of it; the narrow canyon (Steno Faragi). Here the gorge sides come so close, seeming almost joined. Through this narrow slit passes the road that barely fits a car. At the exit of the narrow gorge and next to the beach there is the cavernous church of Panagia Tripiti (Virgin Mary built in the cave) that celebrates on September 1st.

Apart from Tripiti Gorge, there are more names for the gorge such as gorge of Saint Savas, Katsakne or Lavri. Above the east side of the narrow part, on Papouri hill the archaeologists revealed an important Preminoan settlement, while at position Kalokambos vaulted graves have been met.

Find nearby hotels

Additional Info

  • Location: Heraklion Prefecture
  • Type: Hiking gorge
  • Water: Generally dry
  • Length (km): 4
  • Altitude difference (m): 650
  • Difficulty (0-10): 1
  • Hiking Hours: 3
  • Accessibility: Walking

Media

More in this category:

Also read:

Download Free Premium Joomla Templates • FREE High-quality Joomla! Designs BIGtheme.net