⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Heraklion Gorges

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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Argoulidias gorge in Karavados

Argoulidias gorge in Karavados

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In the village Karavados in prefecture Heraklion lies a small gorge that is completely unknown, Argoulidias gorge. Its name is taken after the many wild olive trees (called argoulides in Cretan dialect) found in the canyon, the vegetation of which is complemented by carobs, Nerium oleanders and many plane trees.

Kamares Gorge

Kamares Gorge

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The gorge of Kamares, known as Kamaraiko Gorge, is the largest canyon in the area of Kamares village of Pyrgiotissa province on the south side of Psiloritis. We meet its imposing exit in a steep turn a few meters west of the village, on the main road to Lochria.

Gerakia Gorge

Gerakia Gorge

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Gerakia is a technical gorge of the range Asterousia in the area of Agios Ioannis, near Kapetaniana, with a southern orientation. It is one of the many parallel technical gorges of the area and crosses a beautiful pine forest.

Agia Paraskevi Gorge (Voukolias)

Agia Paraskevi Gorge (Voukolias)

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The wild canyon of Agia Paraskevi is located in the Asterousia Mountains and on the borders of the village Paranymphi. It is called the little "brother" of the adjacent imposing and most famous Ambas Gorge, as both of them have the two highest waterfalls of Heraklion prefecture.

Farangouli Gorge at Voriza

Farangouli Gorge at Voriza

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The Gorge Farangouli at Voriza is located in Psiloritis massif, in the area of the village Vorizia. It is one of the three parallel canyons of the area, with the most famous of all being the great Gorge of Vorizia. The shortest and most unknown is Farangouli, which starts in the village houses and climbs up steeply.

Pastrikos Gorge

Pastrikos Gorge

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The Gorge of Pastrikos is a small gorge formed on the north side of Asterousia, in the wider area of the village Panagia. It is technical, i.e. it requires special equipment for canyoning. It starts from a small plateau where there is a temple dedicated to Saint Cyril.

Litheos River

Litheos River

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Litheos Potamos (Lethean River) collects water from the basin of Gergeri and Panassos in the south-eastern roots of Psiloritis. It continues its course as a wide river from Apomarma, during which many vertical streams meet the main stream. Throughout its course one meets many dilapidated watermills, while we also encounter traces of the ancient aqueduct that transferred water from Gergeri to Gortyn.

Achendrias Gorge and Lihnistis Fall

Achendrias Gorge and Lihnistis Fall

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Achendrias gorge is located about 52km south of Heraklion, is approximately 8km long and ends on the beach Maridaki. It crosses the arid landscape of Asterousia Range that is characterized by bare mountains, sharp rocks and rough pasture lands. Throughout most of its length it is easily accessible and is dry in summer.

Agia Anastasia Gorge

Agia Anastasia Gorge

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The Gorge of Agia Anastasia starts from Kenourgio Horio, Province Pediada (altitude 160m) and ending at the seaside settlement of Gournes. The name is taken after the cavernous chapel of St. Anastasia, located near its entrance. The vegetation is restricted to oleanders and the walls get narrow in several points. The descent of the gorge takes about three hours.

Psoraris Gorge

Psoraris Gorge

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One of the most impressive and longest canyons of the entire island of Crete is the canyon with the cacophonous name Psoraris (Greek: someone who suffers from scabies). Its exit is located at the mountains of Dikti, above the village Geraki and it starts from the plateau Parasyrta. There are three different mountain roads, all of unique beauty: from Lassithi plateau (village Kaminaki), from Geraki and Katofygi by Viannos.

Eligas Gorge

Eligas Gorge

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The gorge of Eligas is a monument of natural beauty located on the west side of the mountain Koupa near the village Miliaradon by Embaros. It is actually a high waterfall with nine rapels, ideal for canyoning. The difference of altitude between the entrance and the exit is about 230m.

Psaro Nero Gorge

Psaro Nero Gorge

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The gorge of Psaro Nero is located 55km southeast of Heraklion. It is a short inaccessible canyon with high waterfalls (rapels), very well known to canyoners of Crete. Psaro Nero with its wonderful rock formations has water till late spring. It is initially open and closes abruptly close to the end, where the high rappels are (the highest is 25m). The gorge empties into Baritis River, a tributary of Anapodaris, near Katofygi.

Erganos Gorge

Erganos Gorge

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On the southeast side of Afendis Christos summit, above the villages Embaros you will meet the verdant vineyards at Erganos plateau at 900 meters altitude. The water gathered from the melting snow of the surrounding slopes and from many springs of the region form the main tributary of the Anapodaris river, Baritis, which crosses the plateau of Erganos and forms the rugged canyon of Erganos.

Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge (Kalami I)

Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge (Kalami I)

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The canyon of Panagia (Virgin Mary), also known as Kalami I is parallel to the gorge Xerofarago or Kalami II and takes its name after the former monastery of Panagia Keralimeniotissa located at its exit.

Xerofarago Gorge (Kalami ΙΙ)

Xerofarago Gorge (Kalami ΙΙ)

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Xerofarago Gorge is located south of Kalami village (Viannos area), 75km southeast of Heraklion. It is a small gorge ideal for canyoning (known to the canyoners as Kalami II) that terminates close to the old church of Panagia Keralimeniotissa, where another gorge, Kalami Gorge ends.

Tsoutsouras Gorge

Tsoutsouras Gorge

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The canyon of Tsoutsouras is located in Tsoutsouras village and is one of the many inaccessible canyons of the area. It starts at position Sfakias and it's exit is located near the settlement, in Larinaki area, and at first glance it causes awe.

Mindris Gorge

Mindris Gorge

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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.

Vorno Gorge (Ethiano)

Vorno Gorge (Ethiano)

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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.

Pervola Gorge

Pervola Gorge

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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.

Mesosfini Gorge

Mesosfini Gorge

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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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