The 5 most beautiful gorges on Crete
1. Samaria Gorge
For a trip to the Samaria Gorge with a hike, you should plan a whole day. The hike is long but definitely worth it. The gorge, the views, the landscape and nature are just breathtaking.
If you are in Crete between May and October you must visit this stunning place in Samaria National Park.
The hike takes you 14.5 km along the gorge inside the national park and then another 3 km outside the park.
If you want to avoid the crowds, you should start early in the morning as the hike is very popular and accordingly it gets crowded around noon.
The first kilometer of the hike offers spectacular views, after which it's another 5 kilometers into the forest. There are more than 450 species of plants, including 70 endemic species.
A hike costs 5.00 euros, which is absolutely worth it.
2. Preveli - beach and gorge
Preveli beach is also called Palm Beach because of its many palm trees! The line of trees stretches from the beach into the gorge and is truly breathtaking.
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get to the beach from a nearby car park. The way down is steep and descends about 150 meters.
From the beach you can take a walk around the river through the palm forest. Once you have arrived in the Preveli Gorge you will find one of the most beautiful places on Crete!
3. Rouvas Gorge
The Rouvas Gorge trek starts from the beautiful Zaros Lake and climbs up the mountain through the Rouvas Forest. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking as you hike through a forest and have a view of the mountains at the same time. Lake, Forest, Nature, Mountain View. This hike has it all!
The hike can be quite challenging in places. The path is very steep in many places, so be careful and remember good shoes. But you should always keep that in mind when hiking in a gorge. As well as sufficient drinking water.
The total hike is 9.7 km, with a vertical drop of 633 meters, and takes about 4 hours.
You can park your car in the nearby parking lot.
4. Agia Irini Gorge
The start of the Agia Irini Gorge is an hour's drive from Chania. The hike takes about 5 to 6 hours.
This hike is also quite demanding in some places.
The hike is about 13.5 km, there and back.
At the end of the way there you can stop at the Oasis Tavern and take a little break and have a beer or other refreshment. You can also get something to eat here at a reasonable price.
From the tavern you can make your way back.
5. Zakros Gorge - Gorge of the Dead
Also if the name of this gorge gives you a different impression, you can discover a real gem here.
The caves in the Gorge of the dead were originally used by the Minoans to bury their dead.
The gorge has dramatically sheer walls that are truly breathtaking.
The hike can be designed as a return hike of about 11 km with a difference in altitude of almost 350 m. Along the way you will come across a beautiful viewpoint on a dirt road, lots of herbs and unique geological structures. And of course - goats everywhere you look!
By the way, the European hiking trail E4 starts in Tarifa in Spain and ends right here in Kato Zakros! In Crete, the section of the E4s is 320 km long, which also goes through the Zakros Gorge, with scenic views and wonderful nature.
You can park your car in a free parking lot nearby.