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Situated in the Sfakia province, Imbros Gorge is Crete’s third most frequented gorge, following Samaria Gorge and Agia Irini by Sougia. These are all part of the E4 European hiking path. The gorge’s breathtaking landscape and easy trail make it perfect for family trips. The gorge spans 11 km and the hike takes about 2-3 hours.
The journey begins in the quaint village of Imbros, nestled 700 meters above sea level.
The gorge’s initial section, known as Porofarago or Porolagos, is fairly broad. The trail starts off as a descent with relatively low sidewalls. As you go further, the canyon gradually narrows, the sidewalls rise, and the views become awe-inspiring. The canyon’s sides start to close in and rise, revealing various caves. The vegetation includes ancient cypresses, oaks, and maples emerging from the rocks.
Throughout the gorge, remnants of the old stone-paved path, once the main route from Sfakia to Chania, can be seen. The canyon has witnessed numerous battles between the Ottomans and the Christians during the Turkish Occupation of Crete, notably in 1821 and 1867.
Further along, you’ll pass the spot known as Airplane, where a German plane crashed during World War II (the wreckage is displayed in the war museum at Askyfou). Following this, you’ll come across the gorge’s first narrow passages and then reach the position Gournia (i.e. basins), where several small rock basins fill with water in the winter.
Next, you’ll arrive at the gorge’s most magnificent section, Stenada. Here, the gorge walls close in to 1.6m and reach a height of 300m! The rocks are adorned with stunning formations.
After this narrow stretch, the canyon broadens and you’ll near a rest area at position Mesofarango. Here, you’ll find a Venetian water cistern and the gorge guard’s hut.
A few meters ahead, you’ll cross a landslide and shortly after, the striking narrowing at Gremnaria. Following this, you’ll see another gorge trademark, the stone arch Xepitira. As you continue, you’ll navigate some narrow passages and soon arrive at the gorge’s exit by the village Komitades. Several taverns are located near the exit, providing a perfect spot to rest and grab a bite.
There are multiple bus services from Chania to Imbros during the summer. To catch the bus to Chora Sfakia, Imbros (where many hikers park their cars at the gorge’s entrance), or Chania, you’ll need to either walk 4 kilometers towards Chora Sfakion (be sure to check the schedules) or take a taxi from the gorge’s exit (which can be quite pricey).
Get directions to Imbros Gorge
Imbros Gorge is a hiking gorge located in the Chania region of Greece.
Imbros Gorge is a hiking gorge with a signed trail.
Imbros Gorge is generally dry, so hikers should bring their own water.
Imbros Gorge is accessible by bus services and a paved road.
Imbros Gorge is 11 km long.
Imbros Gorge has a difficulty level of 1 out of 10.
It takes approximately 3 hours to hike Imbros Gorge.
The altitude difference in Imbros Gorge is 650 meters.
Find below the list of things to do near Imbros Gorge:
The gorge of Imbros is the second most popular gorge for walkers in Crete after the gorge of Samaria. It is much easier to walk than Samaria: walking distance is 8 km, total descent is around 600m and the average walking time is about 2.5 hours. The path is generally easier underfoot.This is the sort of walk that you could easily walk with children. It also would not need to take a whole day. After the hike we will be stopping for you to have lunch at a local restaurant with a majestic view. Our next stop would be Fragokastelo, a 14th century castle in front of the beach that will mesmerise you! Finishing the day we will stop by Iligas beach near Sfakia harbor where you have the option to have some drinks in a cave bar in front of light blue waters! Approximate duration is 8-9 hours. It’s a highly recommended tour if you are visiting Greece and want to have a special day spent around nature.
Discover Imbros Gorge, which runs parallel to the more famous Samaria Gorge. Although the Imbros Gorge is smaller, many people prefer to cross here because it offers a very different hiking experience than the Samaria Gorge. After your tour, enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea and lunch at a village taverna.
Enjoy hotel pickup and arrive at Imbros around 10 AM. Have breakfast and then hike about 2.5 hours to discover the beauty of this narrow natural passage. Learn about the rock formations and the legend of the 2 brothers that Imbros is named after.
For many years, the Imbros Gorge served as part of the trail that connected Chania to Hora Sfakion. Stroll through a piece of World War II history, as you walk where thousands of British soldiers passed through after the Battle of Crete to get to Egypt.
End your hike in Komitades Village and then depart for Sfakia. Take a swim in the refreshing Libyan Sea and eat lunch with the locals in the taverns before returning to your hotel.
After pickup from your hotel in the Rethymno area at approximately 7:30 AM, journey by bus to the Imbros Gorge in the eastern part of the White Mountains of Crete.
Upon arrival, enjoy an easy 3-hour hike through the narrow passages and marvel at the stunning rock formations. The Imbros Gorge is the second most popular gorge for walkers in Crete after the gorge of Samaria. This picturesque gorge is smaller (8km long) than the Samaria but is just as beautiful. During your descent you will visit various famous locations such as the Stenada (the gorge’s narrowest passage), Mesofarango (a wider passage) and Xepitira Arch (a natural stone arch).
You’ll then arrive at Komitades Village where buses will be waiting to bring you to Chora Sfakion for some relaxing free time at one of the taverns or cafés overlooking the sea. Continue by bus to the south coast and visit a beautiful beach for a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea.
Relax and enjoy a traditional lunch before the bus trip back to Rethymno area at approximately 5:30 PM.
Our driver will lead you south through the Askifou Mountains to the village of Imbros. But first there will be a short stop for refreshment in a charming tavern. The walk will last about two hours since the gorge is 8 km long. The end of the gorge is close to Komitades Village. The bus will be waiting for you there and will take you to a beautiful beach. There will be time to swim and have lunch prior to returning.
This gentle hike is suitable for all those who are steady on their feet. It is also appropriate for families with children as well as fit elderly people.
Find below the list of hotels near Imbros Gorge:
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, pool view and a balcony, Archodiko Villa Imbros is located in Ímbros. It features a garden, garden views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The villa comes with 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
The villa can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area.
Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is 48 km from Archodiko Villa Imbros, while Fortress of Frangokastello is 24 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 61 km from the accommodation.
Vritomartis Naturist Resort operates as a licensed naturist hotel near Chora Sfakion on Crete island’s southern coast. The resort overlooks the Libyan Sea with the White Mountains behind and lies about 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Chania Airport. The Vritomartis nudist resort has 161 beds in 85 beautifully decorated rooms, of which 42 are located on two floors in the main building and 43 in 8 separate bungalows. All with balconies or terraces, air conditioning, free WiFi, and sea or mountain views. The resort follows International Naturist Federation standards: nudity is required at the pool and private naturist beach, while clothing is expected indoors.
Facilities feature a large swimming pool, children’s pool, tennis court, mini-golf, playground, pool bar, and taverna. Guests use the private pebble beach, 700 meters (0.4 miles) away, with shuttle service, bar, loungers, and showers. Dining options include a buffet restaurant serving Mediterranean and Cretan cuisine, with vegetarian and other dietary needs accommodated. A mini-market, parking, car rentals, massage services, and organised excursions are available.
Additional activities include naturist boat trips, coastal hikes, and visits to nearby villages.
from
€95
/night
The Authentic Village Boutique Hotel is located in Chora Sfakion, just 100 meters from Vrissi Beach and less than 1 kilometer from Ilingas Beach. The hotel embraces a philosophy centered around the utmost comfort and satisfaction of its guests.
From every angle, the influence of Cretan culture, heritage, and architecture is evident, providing a holistic view of the Cretan lifestyle. Constructed with local grey stone and wood, the materials contribute to a sense of warmth, tranquility, and romance.
The entire building harmoniously blends with the surrounding physical environment, preserving the captivating landscape and the local essence. Living like a local and taking advantage of the contemporary conveniences is possible here. The Authentic Village is a true embodiment of Cretan tradition, offering unforgettable and personalized experiences.
from
€80
/night
Jacuzzi maisonette in Sfakia center ‘New 2023’ has a terrace and is located in Khóra Sfakíon, within just 1.1 km of Ilingas Beach and 1.9 km of Ammoudi Beach. The accommodation is 100 metres from the Vrissi Beach and features free WiFithroughout the property.
The air-conditioned apartment consists of 1 bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a coffee machine, and 1 bathroom with a hot tub and a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are provided in the apartment.
The apartment offers a hot tub. A car rental service is available at Jacuzzi maisonette in Sfakia center ‘New 2023’.
Fortress of Frangokastello is 15 km from the accommodation, while Historical – Folklore Museum of Gavalochori is 46 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International, 77 km from Jacuzzi maisonette in Sfakia center ‘New 2023’, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Boasting inner courtyard views, Braos Villa features accommodation with a balcony and a kettle, around 100 metres from Vrissi Beach. With quiet street views, this accommodation provides a patio.
The air-conditioned apartment consists of 1 bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge and a coffee machine, and 1 bathroom with a hot tub and an a bath or shower. A flat-screen TV with streaming services is available.
Ilingas Beach is 1.1 km from the apartment, while Ammoudi Beach is 1.9 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 77 km from Braos Villa.
Located on the sea front of Chora Sfakion and just 10 metres from the Libyan Sea, the hotel Samaria by the Sea features 11 rooms with balcony and sea view. Free WiFi is offered throughout the entire property.
All air-conditioned units come with direct Libyan Sea view as well as the surrounding mountain view. They feature a TV with satellite channels, and a refrigerator. They also include a bathroom with bath or shower and free toiletries.
Guests can start their day with a Greek Continental breakfast served at the hotel’s outdoor terrace restaurant area. Hotel’s restaurant also includes a bar with snack options available.
Vrissi Beach is just around the corner while Iliggas and Ammoudi Beaches are within a 5-minute drive from Samaria by the Sea. Chania International Airport is at 80 km. Free private parking is possible on site upon availability.
from
€89
/night
The Sfakiano Gorge, also known as Gorge Vartholoma or Gorge Lago, concludes around 2km east of Chora Sfakion within the Sfakia province. It originates from the Trikoukia area of the White Mountains at a height of 1200 meters and culminates at the Fylaki Caves of the South Cretan Sea. The gorge spans 6.5km and it’s a breeze to traverse along its riverbank.
The suggested hiking trail within the gorge initiates from the Niato plateau (close to Askifou Plateau) and heads towards the abandoned village of Kali Lakki. The gorge, one of Crete’s greenest, begins just before reaching Kali Laki and boasts an incredibly diverse plant life. Oaks, cypresses, and pines are the dominant trees within the Sfakiano Gorge.
The gorge’s starting point is home to the Byzantine church of Saint Paul (Agios Pavlos), constructed by the locals in 1407. The gorge meets the main road to Chora Sfakion near the exit, at the Porolago location. It’s certainly worthwhile to continue your adventure towards the sea, as the gorge bed leads to the breathtakingly beautiful Fylaki fjords, some of the most captivating beaches in the Sfakia region.
The Kapni Gorge, one of Eastern Sfakia’s most stunning canyons, remains largely undiscovered. The gorge begins as an open stream south of the Akones peak at Hionistra, located on the road between Askyfou and Asfendou villages. It concludes in the village of Nomikiana in the Sfakia province. In Hionistra, two streams in calcareous soils converge to form the Kapni Gorge after an hour’s walk. The canyon is extensive, requiring around four hours to traverse. It is among Crete’s challenging and perilous trekking gorges, with a rugged riverbed that forms dry waterfalls in certain areas, necessitating climbing.
It is not advisable for those inexperienced in mountaineering. The riverbed features several small caves that were previously used as sheepfolds. In one of these caves, there is drinking water, the only source in the harsh Kapni region. This water source is hard to find unless one is very familiar with the area. Kapni is home to beautiful vegetation, including maples and oak trees, and stunning walls of platy limestone in several places.
The name Kapni, meaning smoke, traces back to a story from the Venetian era. East Sfakia was once densely forested, providing refuge for Cretans fighting the Venetians. To counter this, the Venetians burned these forests, including the one in Kapni, which was so dense that the fire burned for weeks. The narrowness of the gorge created an oven-like effect, trapping the fire and significantly raising the temperature. The intense heat baked the mountain rock, similar to a lime kiln, and smoke lingered for days after the fire ceased. That autumn, a massive flood swept through the bare, fire-scorched hillsides, moving rocks with immense force to the gorge’s exit. This event resulted in a large deposit of sediment, creating the most impressive scree (locally known as sara) in Crete, visible from miles away. This scree starts at the gorge’s exit and extends to the village of Nomikiana.
The Iligas Gorge, also known as Kavis, begins south of the Kastro peak in the White Mountains, near the abandoned village of Kali Laki, and concludes at the Iligas beach, approximately 2.5 kilometres west of Chora Sfakion. Despite its proximity to Chora Sfakion, the Kavis canyon, one of the longest and most untamed in the Sfakia region, remains a hidden gem. Most visitors are unaware of its existence and instead enjoy a swim at the beach where the gorge ends. The riverbed is typically dry unless it has been raining for several hours. The Kavis canyon also includes five additional sub-gorges, which are equally wild.
The Kavis gorge begins at an elevation of 1080 meters at the Rekti location. However, it is advised to avoid crossing its upper part due to the need for a rope. The most accessible route to the riverbed is through the dilapidated village of Mouri or above Anopolis, where a road leads to the Achlada location. From there, a trail leads to the riverbed, where the Byzantine chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros) is located. This chapel, filled with frescoes, has been neglected and forgotten by local authorities. The region’s only water spring is located opposite the Holy Cross in a cave on the path leading to Mouri. From this point, it takes about three hours to trek to the exit, with some descents being 2-3m high.
Another point of interest in the Kavis gorge is the cave where Basias, the chieftain of the Selino province, died during the Ottoman period. The primary section of the canyon is enveloped by a pristine forest of cypress and maple trees, one of Crete’s largest woods. As you near the sea, the forest transitions into towering cliffs with trees clinging to their sides. The riverbed is generally broad but can narrow to half a meter at certain points. Just before reaching the sea, you’ll find a stone-paved trail (similar to the Aradena Gorge trail) which descends on one side and ascends on the other, serving as the only walking route from Chora Sfakion to Anopolis.
In the heart of the Sfakia Province, nestled in the ruins of the village Kolokasia, a stream begins to form at the base of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) church. This stream, fed by the village’s water, meanders through the local olive grove before transforming into a rugged, small gorge known as Rechtas or Rektas – a name signifying ‘waterfall’ in the local dialect.
True to its name, shortly after the gorge’s onset, a breathtaking 20-meter high waterfall cascades down, barring further access to the gorge without the aid of a rope. Beyond this majestic waterfall, the gorge is adorned with awe-inspiring rock shelters and caves, once used by locals as animal paddocks.
The journey through the gorge also includes small waterfalls, a natural arch, and a grove of carob trees. Eventually, the canyon opens up, revealing an ancient trail that ascends up the eastern side, leading to a rock shelter. This shelter, perched high above the riverbed, provides stunning vistas of the gorge and the Fragokastello valley.
In recent years, this wild rock shelter has been transformed into a charming, cavernous temple, possibly the newest in Crete. This transformation was inspired by a priest from Sfakia, George Chiotakis, who received a divine vision from the Blessed Porphyrios of Athos, advising him to build a temple. Consequently, the church is unofficially dedicated to Saint Porphyrius, with his icons scattered throughout the temple, along with several icons of the revered Saint Anthimos from Cephalonia, who once resided in the Sfakia region.
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