Heraklion hosts many canyons, most of which cross the ranges of Psiloritis and Asterousia. Asterousia has wonderful hiking canyons, some of the most important being Agiofarago, Martsalo and Trafoulas. However, the most famous gorge is the canyon Gafaris at Psiloritis, crossing the magnificent oak wood of Rouvas. Other canyons of Psiloritis are the gorge of Kroussonas, through which passes the Minoan path to the Idaean Cave, the gorge Vromonero, the gorge Vorizano and the two small canyons of Asites (Saint Charalambos and Saint Anthony). Near Heraklion city, there are the lush canyons of Karteros, Kounavi, Sylamos, Almyros and Venerato. Moreover, the western slopes of Lassithi Mountains host the canyons of Roza, Ambelos, Apotyposi and the river Aposelemis by Hersonissos.

Apart from reachable gorges, Heraklion is home to some very popular technical canyons such as the imposing canyon of Arvi, which after an 80m high fall turns into a dark underground river. Especially the area of Tsoutsouras and Keratokambos is home to many steep canyons that have been equipped with bolts and anchors for training new canyoners.

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Mindris Gorge

The gorge of Mindris starts near the village Filippi and ends at the port of Tsoutsouras, after running a distance of 6km. It is a open canyon without vertical walls, which’s riverbed is dry in summer and very easy to walk. On the riverside traces of ancient settlements, ranging from the Minoan to Roman Era have been found.

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Vorno Gorge (Ethiano)

The Gorge of Ethia, officially known as Vorno, is located south of Heraklion, at the Asterousia Range. It starts from the village Ethia and, after tearing Asterousia northwards, it finishes at the plain of Messara, between the villages and Rotasi and Mesochori.

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Pervola Gorge

A very wild gorge starting from the valley of Pervola, next to Mournia village at Asterousia Mounts, and ending on the remote amazing beach of Kaminaki. There is a trail, quite steep, starting from Pervola.

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Mesosfini Gorge

The wild and inaccessible canyon of Mesosfini is located 55km south of Heraklion city, in an isolated area west of the seaside village of Treis Ekklisies. Its entrance is located at a height of 450m, near the village of Mournies and Prinias, in the Asterousia Mountains. At its exit, 2km south, it is formed the majestic beach of Voidomatis, which can be accessed via a dirt track from Tris Ekklisies.

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Troulla Gorge

Just a few meters to the west of Tsoutsouros, the very narrow and smaller gorge of Troulla is formed. Being shorter than the Tsoutsouros canyon, it has attracted the attention of the canyoners and is very impressive with more than 15 beautiful waterfalls along its bed, the largest being 15m high.

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Martsalo Gorge

Martsalo gorge has a length of about 2km and is located in the south coast of Asterousia Mountains, in Heraklion Prefecture. It starts from the north and ends at the Libyan Sea, in the small picturesque beach of Martsalo. Apostle Paul stopped in Martsalo, during his journey to Rome.

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Apolychnos gorge

Apolychnos Gorge is located a few kilometers north of Mires town, in a lush green area with ​​dense olive groves. It's actually a narrow valley running along a river, which in some places gets deeper and the vegetation is very dense.

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Santorinios Gorge

A few minutes away from the city of Heraklion, close to Agios Panteleimonas Monastery by Fodele, there is the canyon of Santorinios. The canyon is short but has not been exploited yet due to its quite difficult access, because of the dense vegetation and many ponds.

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Spiliotissa Gorge, Rogdia

West of the village Rogdia a small gorge is formed that exits at the area of Paliokastro. It initially starts at position Koukos, where we meet the ruins of an old watermill.

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Porofarago Gorge

The Gorge Porofarago or Sfakoryako is a small canyon, almost 2 km long, starting from village Kato Vatheia and ending near the settlement of Vrachokipos. It is crossed by the river Krommidas carrying water on the beach Kokini Hani.

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Ambelos Gorge

The Gorge of Ambelos is located southeast of Gonies village (Hersonissos Municipality), just about one km from the southern limits of the village. The approach is easy from the rural road, which runs through the gorge, along the bed of a tributary of Aposelemis river.

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Embasa Gorge

Gorge of Embasa starts its course from the village Kato Kera and ends near the village Gonies, being about 2km long. Its upper part is very steep and in winter several waterfalls are formed, with the highest being about 20m high.

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Archaniotiko (Knossano) Gorge

The Knosano Gorge (or gorge of Saint Eirini) is the continuation of Mount Giouchta. It extends south of Archanes (Saint Mamas) it runs through Archanes in Kato Milos, where starts the subpart of Knossano gorge known as Sylamos Gorge, after the nearby village. This part is very beautiful with smooth cavernous rocks and huge plane trees, and is easily accessible by car as the road connecting Arhanes to Sylamos runs along the riverbed.

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Spiliotissa Gorge (Houdetsi)

Spiliotissa gorge is located about 24km south of Heraklion. It is a lush ravine that runs from the village Houdetsi, crosses Agios Vasilios, and ends in the valley of Peza. The best part of it is that between Houdetsi and Agios Vasilios (1.5km long).

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Agios Charalambos Gorge

The gorge of Saint Charalambos is a small, but beautiful canyon located south of village Ano Asites. It takes its name after the church of Saint Charalambos located at its beginning. Till the middle of spring, the gorge has water, forcing hikers to traverse (to hike along its walls).

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Kroussonas Gorge

The gorge of Gaidourorachi or Kroussonas is located 3km west of the village Kroussonas and crosses the Psiloritis Mt. Starting from ancient Zominthos, near Anogia, it ends at Kitharida village, near Kroussonas.

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Goniano Gorge

The Goniano gorge is the unique passage which connects Sklavokampos and Gonies with Tylisos. Its length is 3 km. and is relatively wide and straight. Reaching though the exit (in the point where a monument of those killed during the 2nd World War is in the road to Gonies) the gorge turns abruptly towards south and before it comes out of the limestone mass follows an irregular and abrupt course.

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Anapodaris Gorge

Anapodaris Gorge is formed at the final part of the longest river of Crete, Anapodaris, that collects the waters of Central Province Heraklion and South Dikti Range. The suggested route has a duration of 3-3.5 hours and is possible during summer or late spring when the river does not have too much water. It is worth noting that the river empties to the sea about 40 million cubic meters of water annually.

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Kakoperatos Gorge

Canyon Kakoperatos located 10km south of Ahendrias village, on the eastern side of Asterousia Mountains. The distance from Heraklion is approximately 66km. The gorge is only crossed with technical equipment.

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