Lassithi Gorges

In the dry climate of eastern Crete, most gorges remain without flowing water during the summer months. However, there are also green routes with springs and waterfalls, the most characteristic example being the Richtis Gorge. The gorges of Lassithi are mainly formed in the mountain ranges of Dikti and Thripti, in mountainous Mirabello and around Sitia.

On Dikti, notable routes include the Sarakina Gorge near the village of Mythoi, the Kritsa Gorge, the Adrianos Gorge, the Havgas Gorge near Kalamafka and the Havgas Gorge of the Lassithi Plateau. On Thripti, amid rocky and pine-covered slopes, lie the gorges of Pefki, Orino, Ahlia and Milonas, several of which form seasonal waterfalls.

The Zakros Gorge, also known as the Gorge of the Dead, dominates the area around Zakros. Its name comes from the Minoan burials discovered in caves along its walls. Nearby are the gorges of Katsounaki, Lamnoni, Agia Irini and Pervolakia. In mountainous Mirabello are the gorges of Kouroukoulos, Havgas above Plaka and Skotini. Lassithi is also home to the imposing technical Ha Gorge, one of the most demanding canyoning descents in Crete.

Orino Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.10 (21 Votes)

Nearby the lush green and full of water springs Orino village we meet one of the most steep rivers of Crete. Its springs are located high on the plateau Abelia on the slopes of Thripti and Papouri mounts. They shortly form a river which crosses the village square and enters the rugged canyon of Orino.

Pervolakia Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.62 (21 Votes)

The wild and imposing gorge of Kapsas is located 8-9km east of Makrigialos and 33km east of Ierapetra. The gorge is also called Pervolakia, because its northern entrance is near the secluded and picturesque village of Pervolakia. When in the village, you should walk in the nearby traditional village of Pezoulas, with the amazing houses.

Chochlakies Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.58 (18 Votes)

The Gorge of Chochlakies or Karoumes is located in one of the most isolated areas of the island, near Kato Zakros. Easy hiking in the snakelike canyon with the sparse vegetation and the bare rocks, ends in the amazing beach of Karoumes, where being totally alone is the rule.

Havgas Gorge (Kalamafka)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.08 (13 Votes)

The Gorge of Havgas is located very close to the village Kalamafka, just 12km north of the city of Ierapetra. Note that there are several other gorges with the same name around Crete, such as the Havgas Gorge in Lassithi Plateau.

Sellinari Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.83 (6 Votes)

The Gorge Selinari is located about 45km east of Heraklion and 21km west of Agios Nikolaos, on the eastern slopes of Selena Mount. It is well known to all Cretans, because the National Road from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos runs along the gorge.

Mesonas Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.36 (7 Votes)

Mesonas gorge is located on the northern slopes of the mountains of Thripti, near villages Kavoussi and Avgos. It is a short imposing gorge (4km long), that needs technical equipment for crossing it along its bed. The canyon connects the Plateau of Thripti to the plain of Kavoussi.

Skotinagra (Tsigounis) Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.83 (9 Votes)

The exit of the gorge Tsigounis is located 1km west of the village Sfaka, Sitia district, on a turn of the main road connecting central Crete to Sitia. The river flowing through the gorge gets its water from the plateau Monokara and is "stingy" (tsigounis means stingy) as it has small quantities of water only in winter.

Toplou Gorge

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.60 (10 Votes)

Throughout its short length its hides two key surprises. First, it hosts a small colony of Cretan date palm trees (Theophrastus palm trees), while at the end of it, by the sea, some ponds with fresh water are formed. Especially these springs are an unexpected view in the hot and dry East Crete.

Lassithi

Cha

Richtis

Zakros

Lassithi Gorges