Chania Gorges

At the foothills of the White Mountains, the province of Sfakia is home to one of the most famous gorges in Europe, the imposing Gorge of Samaria. The trail is crossed by thousands of visitors every summer. It starts from the plateau of Omalos, descends through a magical dense forest of cypresses and pine trees, passes between very narrow passages with vertical walls of a height of up to 500m, before reaching the seaside village of Agia Roumeli. Other well-known hiking canyons of the region are the gorge of Imbros gorge that starts near the plateau Askyfou, the wild canyon of Aradena, the lush green Sfakiano Gorge, the Gorge Kallikratis, the rugged canyon of Tripiti and the famous gorge of Agia Irini which ends at the beach of Sougia. Some green hiking canyons are located at the region of Zourva and Karanou, while West Crete also hosts the impressive gorges of Diktamos, Lissos, Topolia, Asfendou, Kambos, Sirikari, Sassalos and more.

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Koliakoudes Gorge

Koliakoudes Gorge

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The small, but beautiful, Kaliakoudes Gorge is formed in the area between the villages of Paidohori, Nio Chorio and Machairi in the province of Apokoronas, Chania. It is basically a continuation of the stream of Skotini, which constitutes a tributary of the River Kiliaris. The canyon is only 1.5 km long, it has about 6 rapels and the entire length of the gorge requires the use of technical canyoning equipment (ropes). The highest of the descents is about 8 meters high.

Tripiti Gorge

Tripiti Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.87 (15 Votes)

Tripiti is the second large gorge parallel to Samaria gorge and, like Klados, the trail heading to its entrance also starts at Linosseli spring. In order to approach its entrance there is a dangerous passage where you risk getting stuck, so that you can neither walk on nor turn around and go back. Therefore, you should never attempt to cross this place it without the escort of an experienced hiker.

Kavis Gorge (Iligas)

Kavis Gorge (Iligas)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.00 (11 Votes)

The canyon Kavis is one of the longest and wildest of Sfakia area and despite located next to Chora Sfakion, it remains unknown to many people who usually just enjoy swimming at Iligas. The riverbed is dry almost always, except after several hours of rain. Apart from the main stream, in Kavis fall other 5 sub-gorges, extremely wild.

Sfakiano Gorge

Sfakiano Gorge

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The proposed trekking route in the canyon starts from Niato Plateau (near Askifou Plateau) and runs along the European trail E4. You initially meet the abandoned village of Kali Lakki. From here starts the canyon, which is one of the greenest gorges in Crete, with incredibly interesting flora. Oaks, cypresses, and pines are the main trees in Sfakiano Gorge.

Asfendou Gorge

Asfendou Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.56 (9 Votes)

The canyon of Asfendou is one of the many gorges in Sfakia province, starting from deserted hamlet of Asfendou that currently houses some local sheep herders. Along the canyon runs a passable but steep trail, parallel to the streambed. In many places the Libyan sea is visible.

Kapni Gorge

Kapni Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.63 (8 Votes)

Its exit is located in the village Nomikiana, Sfakia province. In Chionistra there are two different streams in calcareous soils which after one hour walking each merge to form the gorge of Kapni. The canyon is quite long and walking in it takes about 4 hours. It is one of the difficult and dangerous gorges of Crete with craggy riverbed which in some places creates dry waterfalls and requires climbing.

Skaloti Gorge

Skaloti Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.75 (4 Votes)

One of the many parallel canyons of the wider area of Fragokastelo. It is a small canyon (2km long) starting from the beautiful plateau Manikas and ending at the seaside village Skaloti after 1:30 hours hiking with steep slopes.

Perdikaris Gorge

Perdikaris Gorge

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Gorge Perdikaris is located between villages Miriokefala and Argoules, along the borders of the prefectures of Rethymnon and Chania. It is a rugged canyon with steep gradients, low vegetation and large opening throughout its length.

Fygou Gorge

Fygou Gorge

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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).

Lissos Gorge

Lissos Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.25 (24 Votes)

Through the gorge of Lissos passes the trail that connects Sougia to Ancient Lissos. It's a long canyon with imposing towering walls, but the path that leads to ancient Lissos covers only a small part of the route, taking only about 1 hour.

Vavouledo Gorge

Vavouledo Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.21 (7 Votes)

Vavouledo canyon starts about 1km east of the village Hamalevri. A trail runs along the gorge. Near the village Lidiana, the canyon joins the Gorge of Trahinos and the merged river runs till the "cosmopolitan" neighborhood of the Palea Roumata, Arhontika, where you can eat at the taverns.

Trahinos Gorge

Trahinos Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.80 (5 Votes)

Trahinos Gorge starts close to Trahinos hamlet and is relatively short. It is one of the greenest gorges of Crete, while its walls are very narrow, being almost invisible from the air. The dense vegetation in many places darkens the riverbed. Like Vavouledo, Trahinos Gorge has a trail in it.

Askidia Gorge

Askidia Gorge

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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. To find the starting point of the canyon you have to drive on the road that heads from Chania to Sougia and turn at the intersection of Petras Seli leading to Omalos Plateau.

Chosti Gorge

Chosti Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.67 (3 Votes)

The canyon of Chosti is formed by the small settlement of Hosti in Chania, amid one of the most beautiful and lush green places 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.

Pelekaniotis Gorge

Pelekaniotis Gorge

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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.

Kandanos Gorge

Kandanos Gorge

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The Gorge of Kandanos is a place of exquisite naturalistic and historical importance, which is today endangered by the operation of a large quarry. The Gorge of Kandanos hosted the first battle between armed residents against governmental troops in the history of the Second World War.

Anydri Gorge

Anydri Gorge

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The small but impressive gorge of Anydri is located east of Paleochora. It starts from the village Anidri and after a snaky course, about 3km long, between high cliffs it concludes at the beautiful beach Gialiskari.

Chalase Gorge at Sassalos

Chalase Gorge at Sassalos

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Gorge Chalase or Porofarago starts near the village Sassalos and ends before the village Makronas after 4 hours of course in dense vegetation. Crossing it is not very easy because at one point it has a large scree (chalase) and there is no trail.

Boriana Gorge

Boriana Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.94 (18 Votes)

The lush canyon of Boriana (mainly known as Karanou Gorge) starts from the village Boriana and joins the River Mavropiliotis after 1800 meters in a nicely landscaped trail. Along the trail we meet a ruined watermill, caves, entrances of the old iron ore quarries (known locally as quarries of Averof), a charcoal furnace and galleries.

Kydoni Gorge at Karanou

Kydoni Gorge at Karanou

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.24 (21 Votes)

The Gorge Kydoni is a small lush green paradise near the village Karanou, which has been adorned with a beautiful trail and information signage. The trail starts from the fountain of the village and is very easy to walk and appropriate for children.

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