Chochlakies Gorge
The Gorge of Chochlakies or Karoumes is located in one of the most isolated areas of the island Crete, near Zakros. It gathers the water through the stream Flega from the plain of Chochlakies and empties it to the sea.
First, after passing a beautiful restored watermill at village Chochlakies, we enter the gorge with sparse vegetation and bare rocks, which ends at the beautiful beach of Karoumes. The gorge is about 3.5 km long and has water most of the winter. The route, which is part of the European footpath E4, usually takes 1:30 hours. The route along the torrent is fascinating, as the gorge with the high rocks meanders between the mountains.
In the spring you will see ponds and a big variety of plants. Near the exit, the high walls give way to a small valley that turns into an important wetland with a marsh in winter. In various places around the area there are wells, terraces from old crops, while traces of Minoan buildings can be discerned, with the most famous being the ancient fortified site on a hill above the gorge.
