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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trafoulas Gorge
This is a short canyon, easily accessed that leads to the beach of Psili Ammos. The gorge has water till early spring, while it is actually a part of a longer gorge.
Goula Gorge
The gorge of Goula is located south of the village Kapetaniana and ends at Agios Ioannis seaside settlement. Like the two other gorges of the area (Koumos and Gerakia) it is impassable without canyoning equipment
Eligia gorge (Valahas)
The gorge of Valahas is formed south of Heraklion and the beach Elygia is formed at its exit. The highest rapel is 50m high and 4 hours are required for its crossing (only with canyoning equipment). The lower part of the gorge is covered by pine trees.
Ligiofarago Gorge
Ligiofarago is one of the few canyons of East Asterousia range that one can walk down to the sea without needing technical equipment. Recently the path has been signed, connecting Achendrias to Maridaki, running through the gorge.
Koumos Gorge
Gorge Koumos is located at the area of Kapetaniana and it ends near the seaside settlement of Agios Ioannis, in a area full of pine trees. It is an unknown gorge and it can only be accessed with technical equipment. It is generally dry but after some heavy rainfalls it forms spectacular waterfalls.
Petrigiari Gorge
Petrigiari is a small and wild gorge located parallel to the wild gorge of Kakoperatos, at the south coastline of Central Crete. The canyon is only accessible with technical (canyoning) equipment) with the maximum rapel being about 15m. The gorge ends at an amazing tiny pebbly beach with caves and crystal clear deep blue water.
Koudoumas Gorge
The gorge Koudoumas starts at an altitude of 1000m near the base of the highest peak of Asterousia Range, Kofinas, and ends on the beach of Koudoumas Monastery.
Prinias Gorge (Lagouta)
Adjacent and parallel to the current highway linking Heraklion to Messara plane, between the villages Prinias and Avgeniki, a beautiful canyon is formed. Its descent requires the use of canyoning equipment, as it forms some steep descents.
Rizopetro Gorge
On the southeast side of Mount Sanida, near the village Skourvoula, a small but very wild gorge is formed called Rizopetro. The gorge ends near Faneromeni dam after a very impressive 60m high waterfall, having water only after heavy rainfalls.
