For millions of years, the geological upheavals are reflected strongly in the intense relief of Crete. While mountains rose, the river water continued its corrosional route through the limestone terrain, forming today's "land of gorges", Crete. With more than 400 canyons, Crete hosts the largest number of gorges in Greece. Many travel agencies offer packages for gorge trekking and there is are several hiking and mountaineering clubs based in Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Ierapetra and Mires.
Cretan rivers meet large faults and steep descents during their course through the canyons, forming hundreds of small and high waterfalls. Crossing gorges of Crete with high waterfalls is possible only by using technical equipment. Appropriate training in canyoneering techniques can be offered by specialist companies on the island. The most popular technical canyons of Crete include the imposing gorge Ha, Tsoutsouras, Kalami, the gorge of Arvi (which after an 80m high fall turns into a dark underground river) and many more.
Chalase Gorge at Sassalos 
Gorge Chalase or Porofarago starts near the village Sassalos and ends before the village Makronas after 4 hours of course in dense vegetation. Crossing it is not very easy because at one point it has a large scree (chalase) and there is no trail.
Tsoutsouras Gorge 
The canyon of Tsoutsouras is located in Tsoutsouras village and is one of the many inaccessible canyons of the area. It starts at position Sfakias and it's exit is located near the settlement, in Larinaki area, and at first glance it causes awe.
Koudoumis Gorge 
The canyon of Koudoumis is located about 27km west of Sitia, near the village Tourloti. The canyon is accessible on foot, but it has six small steep rappels that require little attention. The canyon is also called Tourloti Gorge as its exit is located close to Tourloti and its entrance is located at the small plateau of Monokaras, a few kilometers further south. The impressive rock formations and the blooming nature of spring make trekking in Koudoumis gorge very interesting.
The Gorge Fygou is a small, but very beautiful short canyon located near Sougia and is a sub-gorge of the popular gorge of Agia Irini. From this narrow passage the rebels of the area escaped to Sfakia mountains during the several revolutions (hence the name Fygou, i.e. escape).
The gorge of the Holy Apostles in Lapathos is located south of Mount Dicti, 28km west of Ierapetra, 72km south of Heraklion, in the area of Kato Simi. This is a very rough canyon, which is a perfect challenge for very experienced canyoners. Its length is about 4km and the elevation difference between the starting and the ending point is about 900m.
Canyon Kakoperatos located 10km south of Ahendrias village, on the eastern side of Asterousia Mountains. The distance from Heraklion is approximately 66km. The gorge is only crossed with technical equipment.
The wild and inaccessible canyon of Mesosfini is located 55km south of Heraklion city, in an isolated area west of the seaside village of Treis Ekklisies. Its entrance is located at a height of 450m, near the village of Mournies and Prinias, in the Asterousia Mountains. At its exit, 2km south, it is formed the majestic beach of Voidomatis, which can be accessed via a dirt track from Tris Ekklisies.
A few minutes away from the city of Heraklion, close to Agios Panteleimonas Monastery by Fodele, there is the canyon of Santorinios. The canyon is short but has not been exploited yet due to its quite difficult access, because of the dense vegetation and many ponds.
