From Plakias: Kourtaliotiko Gorge Guided River Trekking
This river trek walks down the bed of Kourtaliotiko gorge from Plakias, wading and swimming through natural pools to the waterfall that falls into the canyon’s cave. Kourtaliotiko is the largest gorge in the Rethymno regional unit, and this route follows the water rather than the marked path, which keeps it away from the viewpoint crowds. Cretan Explorer supplies wetsuits, helmets and poles, runs it over 5 hours from €63.75, and holds a 4.92 rating across 105 reviews with a perfect 5.0 for guiding.
What this river trek actually does
The route drops into the gorge from above and follows the river downstream to an olive grove at the exit. Four stages make up the 5 hours.
First comes the kit-up above the gorge, a short-sleeved neoprene suit, a helmet, walking poles and a briefing on the route. Second is the great waterfall, viewed from the water and reached by a short swim into the cave it falls into; a small controlled jump is part of getting there. Third is roughly two hours down the riverbed, splashing through natural pools under plane trees on a path that does not appear on the standard trail. Fourth is the exit at an old olive grove and a light lunch at the Banana Garden, a small agricultural farm where the family grow what they serve.
The operator rates this as a moderate hike suitable for most fitness levels.
Places this tour visits
The trek runs inland from the south coast into the Rethymno mountains.
- Kourtaliotiko Gorge, the entire route is inside Kourtaliotiko gorge, which most visitors see only from the roadside viewpoint above the waterfall.
- Plakias, pick-up covers Plakias and the villages behind it, making this the shortest transfer of the two Kourtaliotiko treks on offer.
What’s included and what isn’t
The price covers every piece of equipment plus lunch, and it excludes the €5 gorge ticket.
Included:
- Experienced guide
- Short-sleeved neoprene wetsuit
- Helmet and hiking poles
- Waterproof phone case and waterproof backpack
- Light lunch after the trek at the Banana Garden
- All transfers between the gorge entrance and the exit point
- Skip-the-line entrance handling
- Optional hotel pick-up from Plakias, Sellia, Mirthios, Lefkogia and Mariou, or from around Rethymno
Not included:
- Gorge entrance fee of €5 per person, paid in cash
- Drinks at lunch
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this trek for a reason that is easy to miss from the listing: it is the only way to be in Kourtaliotiko rather than looking at it. Almost everyone who visits this gorge stops at the road viewpoint, photographs the waterfall from above and drives on. One reviewer described exactly that, having visited before with a large operator, stopped briefly, looked, and left, and said this tour is a different thing entirely.
Starting from Plakias is the practical advantage of this particular version. The south-coast villages sit minutes from the gorge, so more of your five hours goes on the water and less on the road than it does from the north coast.
Guiding scores a flat 5.0 out of 5 and the reviews explain why. The guide, Yannis, is named by walkers from Lithuania, the UK, Germany and France, praised for pointing out the herbs, trees and creatures in the rocks, for explaining slippery ground before people reached it, and for setting a pace that let families keep up. One family with children aged 11 and 15 called it the best morning of their holiday.
The Banana Garden lunch comes up almost as often as the gorge. Reviewers describe it as rustic, plentiful and locally grown, with the family showing what they have planted.
Two honest warnings, both of which GetYourGuide’s own review summary flags.
The water is cold and you will swim in it. Several reviewers said they had not understood that swimming to the waterfall was part of the route, and one described cold water and wind funnelling through the cave making the swim hard work. The wetsuit helps, but this is mountain water in a shaded canyon.
Footwear catches people out. The operator states that soft-soled water shoes are unsuitable, and reviewers repeat that ordinary sports shoes you do not mind soaking are what you want. Sure footing matters more than fitness on this route.
CreteLocals insider tips
Send your measurements ahead, wear shoes you can ruin, and take the first slot of the day.
- Send your height and weight when you book, since the wetsuits are brought to fit and a bad fit makes cold water colder.
- Wear old sports shoes with a firm sole, because soft-soled water shoes are explicitly unsuitable for this route.
- Book the first group of the morning, as one reviewer had the waterfall almost to themselves and got the photographs to prove it.
- Bring €5 in cash per person for the gorge ticket, which is not covered by the price.
- Pack flip-flops and a towel for afterwards, given you finish the trek wet and go straight to lunch.
- Budget for drinks at the Banana Garden, since the lunch is included but what you drink with it is not.
What to know before you go
Provide your height and weight after booking so the right wetsuit comes with the van, and your hotel name if you have chosen pick-up. Bring €5 in cash for the gorge entrance.
Pack swimwear, sports shoes, a towel, flip-flops, snacks and water. Soft-soled water shoes are not suitable. The trek is moderate rather than hard, but sure footing on wet rock is the skill it asks for.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Kourtaliotiko river trek?
The trek runs 5 hours in total, with roughly two hours of walking down the riverbed after the waterfall section.
Do you have to swim?
Yes, reaching the waterfall cave requires a short swim. GetYourGuide’s review summary notes travellers would like this made clearer in advance, and the water is cold.
Is a wetsuit provided?
A short-sleeved neoprene wetsuit is included, along with a helmet, hiking poles and waterproof bags for your phone and belongings.
What shoes do you need?
Wear sports shoes with a firm sole that you can get wet. Soft-soled water shoes are explicitly unsuitable for this route.
Is lunch included?
A light lunch at the Banana Garden farm is included, though drinks are charged separately.
Is it suitable for children?
Families rate it highly. One group with children aged 11 and 15 called it the best morning of their trip, and the operator describes the route as moderate and suitable for most fitness levels.
Check dates and prices for the Kourtaliotiko gorge river trek from Plakias.
Location
From Plakias is located at Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
