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The untamed Prassano gorge, also known as the Gorge of Prasses, is situated 10 km southeast of Rethymnon. It commences south of the Prasses village and provides a captivating three-hour hike through enormous rocks and some fairly challenging passages, adding to the intrigue of the trek. The Prasano Gorge, currently serving as the “overflow” channel for the Potami dam, winds its way through the rocky hills of Gargana, with its stream terminating in the suburb of Platania, east of the city of Rethymnon. The river is engulfed by lush vegetation and towering plane trees, making it an ideal spot for a refreshing excursion.
The Prassano gorge can only be accessed from mid-June to mid-October due to the water flow. It is a crucial biotope of Crete, providing a habitat for buzzards and a small group of Bonelli’s eagles.
The Prasses Village
Set amidst the verdant Cretan landscape on the slopes of Vrysinas, Prasses serves as an entrance to the southern coast. This medieval village showcases the intermingling of diverse cultures that have traversed Crete, evident in the Venetian mansions, Turkish farmsteads, and Orthodox churches. The rich natural and cultural diversity make the village an ideal location for tours and walks. Heading south from Prasses, the road leads to the Potami valley, home to the dam of the same name.
Get directions to Prasses Gorge
Gorge of Prasses is located 10 km southeast of Rethymnon city.
Yes, there is water in Prasses Gorge until the spring.
Prasses Gorge is accessible via a paved road.
Prasses Gorge is 6 km long.
Prasses Gorge has a difficulty level of 2 out of 10.
It takes approximately 4 hours to hike Prasses Gorge.
The altitude difference in Prasses Gorge is 100.
Find below the list of things to do near Prasses Gorge:
eBike Tour is a unique experience for everyone that visits Rethymno and wants to try something different.
Get ready for the exploration of the most beautiful places inside and near Rethymno! We provide you with all the appropriate equipment and the adventure begins!
Our first destination will be the Halevi Monastery which is an old picturesque venetian monastery from the 16th century, next we head to Myli Gorge a spectacular oasis of green and nature near to the town of Rethymno. After this we go to Chromonastiri, a small local community 12km away from Rethymno to make a short break for a refreshing soft drink cherished from us and enjoy the view. While we are leaving Chromonastiri we are passing from the Military Museum with the most exceptional and interesting historic record to go to our last but not least destination, Roussospiti or else ‘’The balcony of Rethymno’’ as many people call it is also a local community near Rethymno with an amazing view and a lot of venetian houses.
From the start till the end of the tour you feel a sensation of freedom inside you and the connect between you and the nature around you, all these lovely smells and feelings combined with the view of the mountains are really what completes the tour at the end of the day.
Discover the beauty surrounding Rethymno as you head uphill through picturesque olive groves and make the first stop at Halevi Monastery. See the church of Panagia with its flame-shaped windows and the ruin of the monastery building, which was recently renovated.
Continue to the village of Chromonastiri and visit Villa Clodio where the Military Museum is housed. As you reach the Myli Gorge, a small oasis close to the city, set out on a short hike through a gorge with diverse flora and fauna and visit the abandoned village of Myli.
Stop and relax in the Cretan village of Roussospiti and be spoiled with a selection of traditional dishes from a family run taverna. Due to the elevated location you will have a breathtaking panoramic view over Rethymno and the Mediterranean coast. After lunch, ride to the monastery of Aghia Irini to talk to the nuns there and learn more about the history of this place before slowly starting your way back.
Immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Crete as you embark on a gastronomic journey like no other. Learn from a passionate cook and proud native of a charming Cretan village.
Enter the cook’s home and discover the secrets of traditional Cretan cuisine using fresh products sourced from her family’s farm or local farmers. Learn in a charming atmosphere and cook in a traditional wood oven.
Enjoy a menu that can be adapted for our vegetarian friends or those with allergies. Experience the hospitality of a local home with a warm welcome with Greek coffee or herbal tea, homemade lemonade, ladokouloura, rolls made with olive oil, and loukoumakia.
Chat with the hose to get to know each other and learn the recipes with old traditional practices and cooked in a wood oven.
Try making starters like dakos (Cretan salad with tomato, cheese, olive oil, herbs), tzatziki (the famous Greek dip), and Greek salad. Learn to cook main dishes like gemista (stuffed vine leaves, zucchini flowers, tomatoes, zucchini, and pepper), and mousaka.
Indulge in a traditional dessert like Tyropitakia, traditional pies with homemade cheese, local honey, and cinnamon sprinkled, homemade ice cream, and seasonal fruit. Enjoy local wine and raki alongside your meal.
Experience genuine connections forged during the class and feel like part of the extended Cretan family, creating lasting memories and forging a deep appreciation for the traditions and flavors of this remarkable island.
The wood oven is hot and waiting!
We will meet at the village of Pigi. A beautiful spacious garden will be the scenery for our cooking class. As we get to know each other you will have the chance to visit our vegetable and herbs garden or enjoy the swimming pool (bring your swimming suit!).
Now it’s time for you to cook!
As soon as you feel ready for work our host will dress you with your apron and will guide you through each of the recipes that you are going to learn. Home-made cheese, ntakos, tzatziki, staffed vegetables, greek salad and much more all cooked to local level perfection by you.
Enjoy your creations
After preparing all the dishes, lunch follows; we will use a traditional wood-fired oven for cooking our dishes and we will taste everything we have prepared outdoors, in an idyllic setting with a glass of raki and local wine. Let’s savor the wonderful Cretan flavors of traditional cuisine!
Find below the list of hotels near Prasses Gorge:
CASA PRASOUL Contemporary Exclusive Villa is located in Prasies Village. It’s a three floored villa with views over the mountain and the pool. Rethymno Town, with Fortezza Castle is 10 km away.
All Villa Residence comes with separate bedrooms , private bathrooms and a big living room with projector screen. Each one consists with a TV and air condition.
Guests may relax at the private outdoor pool besides the sunny patio.
Restaurants-Cafe bars, Supper markets and Grocery stores as well as the nearest Beach can be found about 5′ within 10′ away. Prassano Gorge can be reached within a short drive. Heraklion International Airport is located 86 km from the property.
Set in Khromonastírion, 10 km from Archaeological Museum of Rethymno and 28 km from Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, Venetico Palazzo offers air conditioning. This villa features a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa is fitted with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with mountain views.
The villa offers a range of wellness facilities including a sauna and a hammam.
Psiloritis National Park is 42 km from Venetico Palazzo, while Municipal Garden is 10 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International, 80 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
This traditional, rustic villa is located in the village of Chromonastiri, 7 km from the beach and 11 km from Rethymno. Featuring a private pool with summer terrace and a garden with BBQ, Sokaki Villas, rustic ambience, By ThinkVilla are fully furnished, each with 3 or 4 bedrooms.
Each villa offers a large open-plan seating area and a well equipped kitchen. A door opens onto the pool area. Across the kitchen area there is a utility room where you will find a hoover and ironing board. The wooden staircase leads up to a further 2 bedrooms, both opening out to large balconies offering beautiful views to the mountains and the unspoilt countryside. A welcome basket is offered upon arrival.
The nearest tavern and super market is just 100 metres away. Heraklion International Airport is about 75 km away. Within proximity, guests can visit the Military Museum, while Mylon Gorge is 2 km away. Free private parking is provided.
from
€165
/night
Located in Maroulás and only 8 km from Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, Althea Apartment Maroulas provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This apartment features air-conditioned accommodation with a patio.
The apartment is equipped with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fully equipped kitchenette, and a terrace with sea views.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Museum of Ancient Eleftherna is 22 km from the apartment, while Psiloritis National Park is 40 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 77 km from Althea Apartment Maroulas.
from
€67
/night
Situated in Maroulás and only 7.9 km from Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, Panorama Apt Maroulas features accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This apartment offers air-conditioned accommodation with a patio.
The apartment with a terrace and sea views has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, and 2 bathrooms with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are available in the apartment.
At the apartment guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot tub. Panorama Apt Maroulas features a barbecue and a garden, which can be enjoyed by guests if the weather permits.
Museum of Ancient Eleftherna is 22 km from the accommodation, while Psiloritis National Park is 40 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 77 km from Panorama Apt Maroulas.
from
€86
/night
Located in Khromonastírion, 10 km from Archaeological Museum of Rethymno and 28 km from Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, Tholos Home offers free WiFi and air conditioning. The villa, set in a building dating from 17th century, is 42 km from Psiloritis National Park and 10 km from Municipal Garden.
The villa is equipped with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a patio with garden views.
Venetian Harbour is 10 km from the villa, while Centre of Byzantine Art is 10 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 80 km from Tholos Home.
from
€64
/night
In northern Rethymnon, beneath the village of Myrthios (not to be confused with the Myrthios near Plakias), a petite ravine teeming with plane trees gives way to a wild and untamed gorge at Kaminolakos. The gorge is typically dry, only filling with water after significant rainfall. It is accessible only with canyoneering gear. This gorge remained unexplored until March 22, 2013, when Christopher Cheiladakis, Argyro Koghylaki, and Rudolf Riegler ventured into it for the first time, installing safety rings in the process.
The initial stretch of the gorge is particularly wild, leading to a series of small rappels before reaching the final waterfall, a towering 55 meters high. This waterfall is nestled under an umbrella of large trees, hidden away in a shadowy enclave. The gorge culminates at the renowned stone bridge of Simas, which is situated on the road to Amari. This bridge, the highest in Crete, is considered an architectural marvel of its time.
Located near the town of Rethymno, Mili Gorge is an enchanting green oasis. It’s essentially a ravine that houses a vast array of plants and trees, forming a genuine botanical garden. The gorge gathers water from the northern slopes of Mount Vrysinas, beginning north of the Chromonastiri village and south of the Xero Chorio settlement. In recent times, it has become a popular spot for hikers who enjoy the pleasant trail that spans the entire valley.
Within the heart of the canyon lies the abandoned village of Mili, named after the water mills that were once situated in the gorge. The village is split into two areas, Ano Mili (Upper mills) and Kato Mili (Lower mills). The majority of villagers were millers, with nearly all the cereals from the region and surrounding villages being milled at Mili.
Nowadays, only one renovated watermill remains in good condition for visitors to understand its operation. Besides the numerous mills, the area is home to gardens filled with fruit trees and vegetables. Water continuously flows from the springs scattered throughout the canyon, with the largest springs being Saint Anthony and Five Virgins. The water along its course forms small waterfalls and lakes, perfect for a refreshing dip under the shade of towering plane trees.
The village of Mili was deserted in 1972 due to fear of landslides, with some mills being renovated into residences and a cafe-restaurant for guests. The villagers moved and built the village Nei Mili (new mills) high above the gorge on the west. The gorge also boasts a significant number of striking churches, including the cavernous church of Saint Anthony (Agios Antonios) and the cavernous church of Saint John (Agios Ioannis), as well as the cemetery church of the Holy Five Virgins (Pente Parthenes).
Further along Kato Mili, you’ll encounter the cavernous chapels of Saint Paraskevi (Agia Paraskevi) and Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos).
The stunning Galliano canyon begins to the southeast of Gallos and concludes at the Rethymnon town, channeling water from the Armeni region to the Koumbes beach. It stretches over a distance of 5.5km, with the journey taking you through a lush ravine. Regrettably, there are multiple spots where shepherds have put up wires to confine their herds, making the trek along the stream challenging.
Close to the entrance, you’ll encounter the ancient Saounatsides watermill, which was operational until the 20th century. You can also see remnants of an old chapel nearby. A few meters south of the mill, another path leads to the cave-like temple of Saint Anthony.
Located in the stunning province of Amari, the Patsos or Agios Antonios gorge is situated 8 km southwest of Arkadi Monastery. The gorge’s water is collected in the Potami dam. Trekking through the gorge is relatively easy up to a certain point, thanks to a well-marked trail created by the forest service. This trail concludes at the gorge’s narrowest point, where a unique waterfall cascades into a cave. Beyond this point, the gorge narrows and forms several small waterfalls. The descent to the Potami lake demands careful attention, particularly during winter and spring. Another path leads to the avifauna watchtower situated above the river.
The Patsos Gorge is renowned for Agios Antonios’ cavernous temple (Saint Anthony), which was once a sacred cave dedicated to Kraneos Hermes in ancient times. Water seeps from the rocks and drips from the temple roof, accumulating as holy water. It’s fascinating to observe the thousands of prayer papers that devotees have tucked into the rock cavities surrounding the temple. Large plateaus with wooden benches and tables, perfect for picnicking, are located beneath the temple and by the river.
The gorge derives its name from Patsos, a village nestled at the base of Mount Soros at an altitude of 490 meters. It’s approximately 30 km south of Rethymnon. The area boasts a rich variety of flora due to the numerous springs throughout the region that provide a year-round water supply.
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