Gorges to hike and walk near Arádaina, in Chania region

The Aradena Gorge, the deepest in Chania, extends 138 meters deep and is perfect not just for taking in the sights or hiking, but also for adrenaline-filled activities like bungee jumping. Trekking through the canyon until reaching the beautiful Marmara beach provides an unforgettable experience for those daring enough to descend the gorge.

Aradena is among the longest and most intriguing gorges, stretching over 15km. The old inhabitants of Sfakia, referred to it as Faragas (meaning Huge Gorge) due to its massive size, differentiating it from the other gorges in Sfakia. The gorge begins at the base of the Thodoris peak of the White Mountains, specifically from the underground stream of the Drakolakki cave. Although its total length is 15 km, the hiking route is approximately 7km long and it takes approximately 2½ to 3 hours to walk it. The hiking trail of the Aradena gorge starts from the abandoned village of Aradena and ends up in the sea.

To reach the gorge from Chora Sfakion, you journey along the road to the mountainous village of Anopoli, perched 600m above sea level, and then another 3.5km to the village of Aradena, which sits 520m high on the edge of the gorge. The village was deserted after a vendetta and was once the site of the ancient city of Aradin.

Constructed by the wealthy Vardinogiannis family, an iron bridge spans the dizzying abyss, connecting both sides of the Aradena gorge. This is where thrill-seekers can bungee jump 138m downwards, making it the highest bungee bridge in Greece and the second in Europe.

Before reaching the bridge, you’ll find an old stone path on your right that leads to the bed of the Aradena gorge, near the picturesque chapel of Astratigos (Michael Archangel). From there, a 2.5-hour hike takes you through the bottom of the gorge and on slightly challenging terrain to the Libyan Sea. The end of the trek leads you to the pristine gravel beach of Gialeskari, also known as Marmara, where you can enjoy a rewarding swim. In the gorge, you’ll encounter a 9m deep vertical pass equipped with an iron ladder for easier access, towering cliffs, and old trails leading to the walls of the gorge. Also, you’ll spot two more abandoned villages, Azogyres and Stern (St Vasilios), on the gorge’s sides.

A picturesque hour-long walk from the gorge’s exit will take you to the village of Loutro, where boats sail to Chora Sfakion. Alternatively, from the coast of Marmara, a small boat transports people to Loutro daily. If you opt not to take the boat, it’s a two-hour walk from Loutro to Chora Sfakion.

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.

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.

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).

Klados Gorge, located in Crete, is renowned as one of the most perilous and inaccessible gorges. The beginning of the canyon is situated at Kokkinovari, on a precipitous slope that’s about 90-100 meters high. The extremely steep and unstable terrain makes it impossible to access, even with technical gear. Thus, the only means to witness a portion of this natural masterpiece is by trekking from the stunning Domata beach or by following the riverbed for about three hours until you reach the Klados exit.

Starting from Domata, you can venture into the canyon for approximately three hours, covering a significant distance. As you proceed, the canyon walls narrow dramatically, presenting a breathtaking spectacle. However, your journey is eventually hindered by a steep drop known as Letzara, forcing you to backtrack to the beach.

From this point onwards, only a handful of seasoned climbers have managed to navigate Klados successfully, overcoming the numerous waterfalls. In the spring, when the snow melts, landslides are a common occurrence throughout the entire length of the canyon.

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.

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.