Goula Gorge
The gorge of Goula is a wild canyon in Range Asterousia, starting south of Kapetaniana village and ending at Agios Ioannis seaside settlement. Like the rest gorges of the area (Flomias, Salamiano, Koumos, Gerakia, Valahas), it is impassable without canyoneering equipment. However, there is also a hiking passage from the east side of the gorge and the course takes about 2:30 hours.
The gorge can be accessed from Kapetaniana and the nearest point of access is the telephone antenna on the way to Agios Ioannis. The gorge has 18 rapels with the highest being 55m. There are also 25m, 15m, 13m and smaller rapels. The length of the gorge reaches about 1700m and a group of 5 people needs about 4:30-5 hours to pass it.
It is beautiful with wild and eerie rock, caves and rock shelters. The vegetation mainly consists of pine trees. It is generally dry, however it's name means "spring" in the Cretan dialect, and indeed Goula hosts the main spring of the area, used for covering the water needs of Agios Ioannis settlement.
