Experience

Crete is a wonderful place to drive or ride - there is no more varied or scenic set of routes and roads than those traversing the island. Do not let these tips put you off driving here - they are designed to condition you and show you how to drive in a more relaxed and of course, safe, manner.

Margarites is a village, well known for its marvelous architecture and the traditional pottery. However, in the wider area of the villages of Margarites, Orthe and Eleftherna appear a series of small, parallel gorges. Small streams such as Margaritianos flow towards the north and are tributaries of the Geropotamos River. The gorges are developed in white-yellow marly limestone of the Upper Miocene period (8-10 million years ago) as a result of the uplift of the whole area and the erosion by water.

The route starts from Kissamos and is the first part of the European E4 trail in Crete. After crossing the villages Kato Palekastro, Korfiano and Grigoriana, we arrive at the ancient city of Polirinia and from there we cross the lush green villages Galouva, Lusakies Zahariana and, finally, Sfinari with the beautiful beach.

The gorge of Goula is located south of the village Kapetaniana and ends at Agios Ioannis seaside settlement. Like the two other gorges of the area (Koumos and Gerakia) it is impassable without canyoning equipment

Here are some sandy bays away from prying eyes, while generally the rocky bottom is maybe the richest in the island, attracting many fishermen from all over Crete. It generally very windy and you will almost always see windsurfers. The west bay is called Tenda and is open to west winds and wavy, while the east is called Eligas and sea surface is usually flat.

Climbing on Giouchtas is very easy because there is a very nicely marked and visible trail that crosses the mountain from one side to the other. Giouchtas has amazing and unobstructed views towards all directions, although it is quite low (its highest peak reaches 811m altitude). The trail that crosses the mountain starts right next to very famous archaeological site of Anemospilia and ascends to the south having panoramic views across the north side of the city of Heraklion, the Cretan Sea.

The Gorge of Chochlakies or Karoumes is located in one of the most isolated areas of the island, near Kato Zakros. Easy hiking in the snakelike canyon with the sparse vegetation and the bare rocks, ends in the amazing beach of Karoumes, where being totally alone is the rule.

Kollita Gorges, i.e. Twin Ravines are located nearby the picturesque village Argyroupolis, about 22km southwest of Rethymnon city. They are named so, as they consist of two parallel canyons that end near Kato Poros settlement and is part of the E4 trail. The first canyon on the east is called Moudriano Gorge, while the west gorge is Kato Poros Gorge of Vilandredo Gorge, mostly known as the main Kollita Gorge.