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The Apolychnos Gorge, situated just a few kilometers north of the town of Mires, is nestled in an area abundant with olive groves. This gorge is essentially a narrow valley that traces the path of a river, which in certain areas deepens and is surrounded by thick vegetation. The Tourki stream that flows through it carries water from a valley that begins west of Makres village to the Geropotamos river. The gorge, which is roughly 3 km long, begins near the village of Panagia and concludes at the traditional settlement of Agios Antonios (Vrelis). It’s conveniently accessible, particularly near its exit close to Agios Antonios, as it’s adjacent to the main road from Mires.
The gorge is named after the deserted village of Apolychnos, which is situated within the gorge at an elevation of 220m. This village, enveloped by verdant trees and bubbling springs, is home to the stunning Byzantine church of Saint Panteleimon, located in the village square.
Get directions to Apolychnos Gorge
Apolychnos Gorge is located in the Heraklion Region of Crete, Greece.
The difficulty level of hiking in Apolychnos Gorge is moderate to difficult. The trail is rocky and steep in some places, and requires some climbing and scrambling.
The length of the Apolychnos Gorge trail is approximately 3 kilometers long.
The best time of year to visit Apolychnos Gorge is in the spring or fall, when the weather is cooler and the vegetation is lush. It is not recommended to hike in the summer months due to the high temperatures.
It is not necessary to have a guide to hike in Apolychnos Gorge, but it is recommended for safety reasons and to ensure that you do not get lost on the trail.
No, there are no entrance fees to hike in Apolychnos Gorge.
You should bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, sturdy hiking shoes, and a first aid kit. It is also recommended to bring a map or GPS device.
Find below the list of things to do near Apolychnos Gorge:
Our Cretan cooking class is a 100% hands-on experience, perfect for those eager to explore and indulge in the flavors of Cretan gastronomy. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, what truly matters is your open heart and eagerness to embrace the warmth of Cretan culture, becoming a cherished part of our family along the way!”
Mama Stella, my wonderful mum, loves to share her culinary knowledge and techniques with you! We will cook a 4-course meal, by providing all you need, from aprons to fresh, farm-sourced ingredients ensuring a 100% hands-on cooking experience! Local homemade refreshments and water will also be provided. After your cooking adventure, revel in the joy of your creations accompanied by local Cretan wine. Leftovers are carefully packed for you to take along.
Immerse yourself in this unique, 3.5 to 4-hour experience at our olive oil farm. Cooking unfolds in an outdoor space beneath a beautiful wooden roof, surrounded by olive trees on one side and a lush garden on the other. Engage your senses—smell, taste, and feel our culture through a one-of-a-kind cooking adventure. Join us, cook with passion, and savor the moments!”
After a short drive through the Messara plain you reach Matala. Known for the colony of hippies in the Sixties, where they lived in large holes formed on the mountain. The rocks are holes with a Roman burial. In Matala you will have time for a refreshing dip in the water, eat something or just enjoy a drink on the beach. This is the place where Zeus, having taken the form a bull, swam ashore with Europa on his back before dragging her off to Gortys. Both, the Minoans and the Romans used the place as their harbor. Nevertheless, for most people, Matala means only one thing: hippies. Back in the late 1960s – 1970s, this little town was a colony of the “flower children”, who lived in the caves that used to be former Roman tombs
Intro:
Located approximately 68 km southwest of Heraklion, Matala is one of the most popular destinations and one of the most beautiful beaches of our island. Mostly famous for the caves carved in the rocks next to the beach and the hippies of the 60’s.
Gortyna,also known as Gortys, was a city of ancient Crete mentioned by numerous ancient writers for its importance and splendor that is by no means inferior to that of Knossos.
Full description:
Once you are greeted by our friendly driver and guide, your day trip is about to begin.
Our first stop of the day is a visit to the archaeological site of Gortyn which is located 45 km south of Heraklion. Inhabited since 3000 BC, evolved as one of the largest cities during the Minoan era, finally reaching its peak during the Roman Empire, the city of Gortyn is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Walk around the site and have a chance to travel back in time while admiring the ancient ruins.
After a quick ride, we reach our second destination, the village of Matala. As we approach the village, a beautiful sandy beach of around 300 m long will greet you. You will have plenty of time to dive in the crystal clear deep water, swim under the Cretan sun and have lunch in one of the traditional taverns surrounding the beach. Matala is also known for its hand-carved caves that are found in the cliff of its bay. The caves were created in the Neolithic Age and were used throughout history as living spaces. During the 60’s the caves were occupied by the hippies who travelled from all over the world in search of their very own paradise on earth.
Explore the intriguing caves, enjoy a refreshing dive and allow us to take you on an unforgettable experience.
This day trip crosses Crete from the north coast to Matala, the south-coast village where Roman rock tombs became homes for the hippie community of the late 1960s. Matala sits in a sheltered bay below cliffs cut with those caves, and the trip gives you free time to swim, explore the caves and walk the village. ETHERION runs it from €34 with free pick-up anywhere between Malia and Ammoudara, and it holds a 3.81 rating across 30 reviews.
The coach runs south across the island, spends the afternoon in Matala and returns to Heraklion. Three things fill the time on site.
First is the beach, a curve of fine sand in a calm bay with clear water and cliffs at either end. Second are the caves, carved into the soft rock as Roman tombs and occupied by the flower children in the late 1960s and early 1970s, they are the reason most people come, and entry costs €4 separately. Third is the village, with small shops, tavernas along the water and the ruins of Roman buildings including a bath and an arena near the shore.
Matala’s history runs deeper than the hippies. Both the Minoans and the Romans used the bay as a harbour, and Greek myth places it as the spot where Zeus, in the form of a bull, came ashore with Europa.
The trip crosses from the Heraklion coast to the southern shore, ending at one beach.
The fare covers the coach, the guide and the pick-up, and it excludes the cave entry and everything you eat.
Included:
Not included:
We recommend Matala itself without hesitation and this particular trip with reservations, and it is worth separating the two.
Matala earns its reputation. The caves are genuinely unusual, Roman tombs turned into a 1960s commune, still open to walk through, and the bay behind them is a good beach on its own terms. Reviewers who went agree: several call it a must-see in Crete, and the ones who rated the day three stars still said they were glad they saw the place. If you are based on the Heraklion coast without a car, a coach is the practical way to get there.
The reviews also praise the guides on the good days, with one calling them great and very informative, and several note the pick-up going smoothly from their hotel door.
Now the problems, because this trip scores 3.81 out of 5 and three of the ten reviews we read sit at three stars or below.
Coach time is the biggest complaint by a distance. Value for money scores 3.4 and guiding 3.5, the two lowest marks. The trip is billed as 7 hours but that is door to door, one reviewer reported only 3 hours actually in Matala, another 4 hours, and a third said an hour went on collecting other passengers before the coach even set off south, calling it more time on the bus than on site.
Guiding is inconsistent. One reviewer said the guide spoke three sentences on the coach and then left the group to its own devices with no explanation of the caves or the town. Another booked a Polish-language tour and found it running in French, and was told it did not matter. A third struggled to follow the English commentary.
Matala gets crowded. One reviewer could not get a lounger on the beach at all in August.
Bring the cave money, set your expectations on timing, and head for the caves before the beach.
Free pick-up covers Malia, Stalida, Hersonissos, Limenas Chersonisou, Koutouloufari, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Kato Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Amnissos, Karteros, Heraklion and Ammoudara. The operator emails your exact pick-up point within 24 hours of booking.
Bring a sun hat, towel, sunscreen and beachwear. The trip is flagged as likely to sell out.
Reviewers report 3 to 4 hours on site. The trip is listed at 7 hours, but that includes the coach south and a pick-up circuit along the north coast first.
Cave entry costs €4 and is not included. One reviewer noted EU residents under 25 entered free.
A multilingual guide travels with the coach, though reviewers report the amount of commentary varying considerably and at least one language mismatch.
Matala’s cliff caves are Roman rock tombs that the flower children lived in during the late 1960s and early 1970s, which is how the village got its name in travel writing.
Pick-up is free from anywhere between Malia and Ammoudara, covering the whole Heraklion north coast strip.
The bay is sheltered and the sand is fine, though reviewers travelling in August report the beach busy enough that loungers ran out.
Check dates and prices for the Matala hippie caves day trip.
Find below the list of hotels near Apolychnos Gorge:
Located in Moírai, 44 km from Venetian Walls and 45 km from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Carob Villa offers air conditioning. This villa features a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa is equipped with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
A car rental service is available at the villa, while fishing and hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
The Palace of Knossos is 48 km from Carob Villa, while Phaistos is 11 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 47 km from the accommodation.
Set in Galiá, 8.7 km from Museum of Cretan Ethnology and 10 km from Phaistos, House of Athina and Fanourios offers air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. With garden views, this accommodation features a patio.
The holiday home with a terrace and mountain views features 3 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are featured in the holiday home.
There is a garden with a barbecue at this property and guests can go cycling nearby.
The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 54 km from the holiday home.
from
€75
/night
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a patio, House Angelina is situated in Galiá. It features a terrace, mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The apartment with a balcony and sea views has 3 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 2 bathrooms with a shower. Towels and bed linen are offered in the apartment.
If you would like to discover the area, hiking is possible in the surroundings and the apartment can arrange a car rental service.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 8.8 km from House Angelina, while Phaistos is 10 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 54 km from the accommodation.
from
€99
/night
Situated in Morónion, 39 km from Venetian Walls and 40 km from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Villa Moroni features air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi. With mountain views, this accommodation provides a balcony.
Boasting a Blu-ray player, the villa has a kitchen with a dishwasher, an oven and a toaster, a living room with a seating area and a dining area, 4 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms with a walk-in shower and a bath. A flat-screen TV with streaming services and DVD player, as well as a CD player are available.
A car rental service is available at the villa.
The Palace of Knossos is 43 km from Villa Moroni, while Phaistos is 16 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 42 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Located in Moírai, 46 km from Venetian Walls and 47 km from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, BLUE PHAISTOS APARTMENTS No1 offers free WiFi and air conditioning. The property features inner courtyard views and is 7.9 km from Phaistos and 8.2 km from Museum of Cretan Ethnology.
The apartment comes with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with city views.
The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 50 km from the apartment.
from
€41
/night
Featuring lake views, PALIAMA BY THE RIVER offers accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 41 km from Venetian Walls. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The holiday home is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
The holiday home offers a barbecue. A outdoor play equipment is also available at PALIAMA BY THE RIVER, while guests can also relax in the garden.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 42 km from the accommodation, while The Palace of Knossos is 45 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 44 km from PALIAMA BY THE RIVER.
from
€72
/night
On the southeastern flank of Mount Sanida, near the quaint village of Skourvoula, you’ll find a petite yet wildly untamed chasm known as Rizopetro. This gorge culminates in a striking 60m waterfall that cascades into the lake of the Faneromeni dam, a sight to behold especially after heavy downpours.
The Agios Nikolaos, Gafaris or Rouvas gorge is nestled between the Ambelakia and Samari peaks. This gorge, the most significant in Psiloritis and central Crete, is named after the St Nicholas monastery located near its exit at Zaros. This area is an ecosystem teeming with diverse flora and fauna, smaller canyons, and striking geological formations and cliffs. It spans 4 km, with 2.7 km developed by the Forest Service for activities like hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and wildlife observation. However, a fire in 1994 significantly damaged the beautiful Rouvas forest near the gorge’s south entrance.
The Rouvas forest, located in the Saint Nicholas gorge, is a nationally significant ecosystem of holly trees. It covers the inner valley of Psiloritis, surrounded by the peaks of Ambelakia, Samari, Chalazokefala, Skinakas, Koudouni, and Giristi. The area’s trees are ancient, with some trunks exceeding 1 meter in diameter and reaching heights of 15 meters. They grow densely, forming a unique forest society, supplemented by various shrub species.
The forest houses other typical Cretan flora, such as aria, zelkova, cypress, pine, plane, and pear trees, covering approximately 30,000 acres. The uniqueness of the Rouvas forest lies in the holly trees’ unusual size and characteristics compared to their typical Greek counterparts. This is likely due to the absence of external factors that allowed these shrubby oaks to evolve into their current form. Around the forest, one can spot scattered “mitata” (shepherd houses), most of which are now abandoned.
Recommended hiking routes include Zaros Lake to Saint John (a 2.5-hour return trip) and Psakofarago to Agios Ioannis to Lake Zaros (a 5-hour trip). The first route starts from Zaros Lake, leading to the St Nicholas monastery before entering the Rouvas gorge. The trail then ascends through the old burned forest, offering stunning views of the Zaros and Messara planes, before entering a narrow gorge filled with dense vegetation. The path follows the river bed, abundant with water in spring, leading to the heart of the forest, the Agios Ioannis area.
The second route begins north of Agios Ioannis at the Psakofarago gorge, the upper extension of the Rouvas gorge. The trail starts from the Holy Cross church and ends at Lake Zaros, passing through Agios Ioannis and the Rouvas gorge. This route requires a transfer to the Holy Cross church and a pick-up from Lake Zaros. Both routes offer the chance to experience the unique beauty of the Rouvas forest and its surroundings.
Saint Charalambos Gorge, a picturesque but petite canyon, is situated to the south of Ano Asites village. The gorge is named after the Saint Charalambos church that was constructed near its entrance beneath a rock. Up until mid-spring, the gorge is filled with water, compelling trekkers to walk along its walls to bypass the riverbed. The stream of the gorge carries water from the valley situated east of Prinias village to Agios Antonios gorge, eventually forming the Xeropotamos river that concludes at the Pancretan Stadium beach in Heraklion.
Our journey begins from the Agios Charalambos chapel nestled in a large rock shelter. We then make our descent along the river, where lovely ponds are formed. As we look upward, the grand walls with their vast caves become visible. The exit of the gorge has incredibly narrow passages which require us to traverse along a trail during winter. However, in the summer, it’s possible to walk on the riverbed, but caution is advised to prevent any ankle injuries.
The Trypiti Gorge, nestled in the Asterousia mountain range, lies south of Vassiliki village and channels water from the valley east of Miamou village through the Agiosavvitis river. Stretching over 4 km, the gorge ends in a stunning pebble beach named Tripiti. A dirt road, running along the eastern side of the gorge, provides access to the beach, following several kilometers before reaching the riverbed at the sea’s edge.
The gorge narrows near Saint Paraskevi church, situated at an elevation of 655m. The initial section of the gorge houses steep waterfalls, making it inaccessible without technical expertise and canyoneering equipment. The western side, in particular, is incredibly steep and dangerous. The Prophet Elijah church is a prominent feature at Katsakne, the peak of the western slopes. This church can be accessed via another dirt road that begins about half a kilometer before the gorge’s entrance.
Midway through the gorge, close to the dirt road, lies the Saint Savas church, surrounded by wild olive trees. The unique feature of this woodland is its wild, uncultivated olive trees, offering a glimpse into the natural habitat of these trees. The gorge is also home to an array of wildlife and bird species.
As you continue towards the sea, the road merges with the ravine and soon leads to the most picturesque part of the gorge: the narrow canyon, also known as Steno Faragi. Here, the sides of the gorge come so close together that they appear to touch. A road, just wide enough for a car, passes through this narrow gap. At the end of this narrow section, next to the beach, you’ll find the Panagia Tripiti church, built inside a cave, that celebrates its feast on September 1st.
The Trypiti Gorge is known by various other names, including Saint Savas Gorge, Katsakne, and Lavri. On the eastern side’s Papouri hill, archaeologists have uncovered a significant Preminoan settlement. Additionally, vaulted graves have been discovered at the Kalokambos location.
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