Pefki Gorge
The Gorge of Pefki (pefki means pines), also called Anegyrous Gorge, is one of the most beautiful small gorges of East Crete, with amazing rock formations shaped by the natural forces and with lush vegetation. The length of the gorge is approximatelly 4.5 km and the elevation difference of the entering point and the exit reaches 300 meters.The gorge starts south of the village Pefki and ends in Aspros Potamos settlement, 2km north of Makrigialos. Its stream collects the waters from the area south of the peak Romanati (937m) and transports them to the beach of Analipsi. The canyon has a well shaped path, which follows the riverbed almost in its entire length. Moreover, at some point you will see some benches where you can rest. The route in the gorge can hold 2 hours and is part of the E4 European long distance path.
The route
The gorge starts a bit south from Pefki, where the typical black and yellow E4 signs head to the entrance, next to the old water mill of Ilias (1925). From there take the easy path along the sides of the canyon and later follow the descending path that leads to the river bed, in the heart of the gorge. The canyon is lush and full of pine trees around, while next to the riverbed the vegetation constitutes mostly from platans and herbs. There amazing white rock formations on the sides, unique in Crete, exceed 100 meters in height.
As you arrive at the southern exit of the gorge, you will find a spring of clean potable water, where you can cool off. The exit of the canyon is not near the sea but in Pisokaminos area, close to the village of Aspros Potamos. A little later, you will meet the impressive large rock called the Volakas Sarakinou (rock of the Saracen). According to the tradition, a Saracen pirate was hiding himself in there, after being abandoned in Crete. On the rock you’ll see many small pebbles. A legend wants them to be a result of an old game; the children that were passing from this area, threw stones on Volakas to see if they will find food at home. If the stone remained on the rock, then they would find food, otherwise not. After the village Aspros Potamos, you will meet the main road linking Makrigialos with Pefki. If nobody waits for you by car, you have to walk the remaining 2km to Makrigialos.
