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, where it's waters are delivered to the gorge Kounaviano. The nicest part of it is that between Houdetsi and Agios Vasilios (only 1.5km long). Starting from Houdetsi, where you can park in the village, you can descend along the well-maintained trail to Agios Vasilios. The trail passes through dense vegetation and orange / olive groves, watered by the creek.
In the first few meters of the route we meet the two Byzantine churches of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Nicholas, and two watermills formerly used for grinding grain. After 500m, there is the historic Sinai Monastery of Panagia Spiliotissa, after which the canyon gets its name. After a brief tour in the small monastery with the cavernous church, we continue our journey into the heart of the lush canyon, till Agios Vasilios. Just outside the monastery there is a beautiful fountain with water and the Byzantine church of Saint John.
