Trekking in Crete

Trekking in Crete

In addition to the famous Samaria gorge, there are several other beautiful gorges where you can go trekking in Crete. The gorge of Agios Nikolaos is 4 km long and is flanked by the peaks of Ambelakia and Samari. It is considered to be the most important gorge of Psiloritis and Central Crete, and was named after the Byzantine chapel of Agios Nikolaos which is located at its southern entrance. Zakros gorge in Eastern Crete is also called the “valley of the dead” because of the Minoan cave burials that were found there. The trekking route is 2,5 km long and begins south-east of the village of Zakros, passing through the gorge and ending next to the Minoan palace at Kato Zakros. The gorge of Aradena is an impressive 7-kilometre long gorge. Its entrance is located at the deserted village of Aradena, at the western end of the plateau of Anopoli of Sfakia, below the imposing, high peaks of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori). Near the entrance to the gorge there is an iron Bailey bridge, which connects Anopoli with Aradena and the small settlement of Agios Ioannis to the west. It is the tallest bridge in Greece and the second tallest in Europe, therefore ideal for bungee jumping. Rikhtis gorge is a beautiful small gorge of about 3 kilometres, located in Eastern Crete and featuring a marked route. It follows a stream that flows all year round and creates a splendid waterfall. The gorge begins a little outside the village of Exo Mouliana and ends at the beach of Rikhtis, east of Kalavros village (15 km west of Siteia).