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.
Keratida Gorge 
The small piney gorge of Keratida starts above Koustogerako and after 2 hours of trekking meets the seaside E4 trail that connects Sougia to Agia Roumeli. Initially the course is on the side of the gorge. The downhill is steep and we have to be careful, as the gorge is inhospitable.
Goniano Gorge 
The Goniano gorge is the unique passage which connects Sklavokampos and Gonies with Tylisos. Its length is 3 km. and is relatively wide and straight. Reaching though the exit (in the point where a monument of those killed during the 2nd World War is in the road to Gonies) the gorge turns abruptly towards south and before it comes out of the limestone mass follows an irregular and abrupt course.
Trahinos Gorge starts close to Trahinos hamlet and is relatively short. It is one of the greenest gorges of Crete, while its walls are very narrow, being almost invisible from the air. The dense vegetation in many places darkens the riverbed. Like Vavouledo, Trahinos Gorge has a trail in it.
One of the most impressive and longest canyons of the entire island of Crete is the canyon with the cacophonous name Psoraris (Greek: someone who suffers from scabies). Its exit is located at the mountains of Dikti, above the village Geraki and it starts from the plateau Parasyrta. There are three different mountain roads, all of unique beauty: from Lassithi plateau (village Kaminaki), from Geraki and Katofygi by Viannos.
The gorge of Saint Charalambos is a small, but beautiful canyon located south of village Ano Asites. It takes its name after the church of Saint Charalambos located at its beginning. Till the middle of spring, the gorge has water, forcing hikers to traverse (to hike along its walls).
Pigaida is a long wooded gorge with very narrow passages ending at Zourva. Along its course there are several descents that need rope and make its crossing harsh.
Kouroukoulos Gorge 
The unknown gorge of Kouroukoulos starts from the deserted village Agalianos at the province of Merambelo, Lasithi prefecture. By following the old trail starting from the village and we reach the watercourse, which is accessible for hiking throughout its length.
On the southeast side of Afendis Christos summit, above the villages Embaros you will meet the verdant vineyards at Erganos plateau at 900 meters altitude. The water gathered from the melting snow of the surrounding slopes and from many springs of the region form the main tributary of the Anapodaris river, Baritis, which crosses the plateau of Erganos and forms the rugged canyon of Erganos.
