Sellinari Gorge
The Gorge Sellinari is located about 45km east of Heraklion and 21km west of Agios Nikolaos, on the eastern slopes of Selena Mount, draining the valley west of Vrachassi. It is well known to all Cretans, because the National Road from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos runs along the gorge. Moreover, the canyon has historically been the natural passage from the region of Lassithi to Heraklion fertile north coasts.
Selinari has dense vegetation and you can enjoy it either by car or easy walking till its exit, near Milatos. A particular route worth following is the old National Road, which passes alongside the New Road and meanders through the gorge. The walls of the gorge and the surrounding mountains shelter many birds of prey. Selinari used to be one of the shelters for the rare Cretan wildgoat, but it unfortuntally has become extinct. There are also several springs, but the most famous attraction is the historic monastery of Saint George. For the Cretans it is considered bad luck to pass a gorge, without stopping at the monastery. This has its origins in the past, when Selinari Monastery a stopping point where the travelers and their animals could rest.
