The Avlaki Gorge, nestled in Arkoudovounia near the Gouverneto Monastery, just 16km east of Chania city, stands as one of Crete’s most significant canyons with a rich religious history. This secluded area provided refuge for numerous monks and hermits in its caves, and also houses the ancient, abandoned Katholiko Monastery, making it known as the Katholiko Gorge as well. Although the gorge isn’t entirely accessible, a marked trail from the Gouverneto Monastery offers a scenic but steep descent towards Katholiko. On the journey, you’ll encounter the Cave Arkoudiotissa and the ancient temple of Artemis after a 10-minute walk, followed by a further 10 minutes to the deserted Katholiko Monastery and the cave of Saint John the Hermit.
Walking for another 15-25 minutes along the riverbed from the monastery will bring you to the Katholiko Bay, passing by caves where hermits once resided. The gorge’s exit reveals a slender, rocky fjord with deep blue waters, a small Venetian well, a tiny harbour used by monks, and a quarry that provided construction materials for the monastery. The area also features a rock formation resembling a boat, said to be a pirate ship turned to stone by a monastery abbot’s curse.
Get directions to Avlaki Gorge
Avlaki Gorge is a hiking gorge located in the Chania region.
Avlaki Gorge is a hiking gorge.
Generally, Avlaki Gorge is dry.
You can access Avlaki Gorge by walking.
Avlaki Gorge is 2 km long.
On a scale of 1 to 10, Avlaki Gorge has a difficulty level of 2.
It takes approximately 1 hour to hike Avlaki Gorge.
The altitude difference in Avlaki Gorge is 280.
Find below the list of things to do near Avlaki Gorge:
We start our van tour from Chania at the pick up point that we have both agreed on. We then start going towards Ag. Triada the first monastery that you will be able to visit. You can spend some time there and then we continue our tour to Gouvernetou Monastery where you can also have the chance to visit and buy local products from the monks. You can even follow a path called The Bear’s Path that leads you to a cave. It’s quite interesting and you will be delighted by the view of the sea! Then, upon request, we can even take you to Marathi beach or Seitan Limani for a swim or eat at the local restaurants.
Start your trip to Elafonissi Beach with a convenient pickup from your accommodation in Chania. Then, sit back and enjoy the views as you make your way towards the southwestern part of the island.
Once you arrive at your destination, you get to choose how to spend your free time here. Lie back and soak up the sun on the beach or go for a walk and admire the rare flowers that grow in the sand dunes.
Explore the lagoon that connects the tiny islet to dry land and take advantage of the SUP board and snorkeling equipment included in your day trip. (SUP is available from May the 1st).And if you’re feeling parched, enjoy some of the complimentary water, juice, and fresh fruit provided.
Finally, once your day at the beach comes to an end, hop back aboard your private vehicle for a comfortable return journey to your accommodation in Chania.
We are an authorized company employing professional drivers for your safety and comfort. We primarily handle transfers to and from the airport, but we also cater to private excursions and transportation for weddings or other events. Our drivers are trained to serve you with professional courtesy. Our mission is to provide discreet, quality transportation with a driver at competitive prices, managing all requests with a high level of responsibility and responsiveness, whether it’s a simple transfer from the airport/port or a multi-day exclusive VIP transfer. Upon your arrival at the airports or ports of Crete, our driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals exit to offer you cool and refreshing water. They will escort you to the vehicle and provide you with wet wipes. You can then sit comfortably and enjoy the journey to the hotel. Our vehicle is equipped with USB and Type-C ports, as well as free Wi-Fi.
We are an authorized company employing professional drivers for your safety and comfort. We primarily handle transfers to and from the airport, but we also cater to private excursions and transportation for weddings or other events. Our drivers are trained to serve you with professional courtesy. Our mission is to provide discreet, quality transportation with a driver at competitive prices, managing all requests with a high level of responsibility and responsiveness, whether it’s a simple transfer from the airport/port or a multi-day exclusive VIP transfer. Upon your arrival at the airports or ports of Crete, our driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals exit to offer you cool and refreshing water. They will escort you to the vehicle and provide you with wet wipes. You can then sit comfortably and enjoy the journey to the hotel. Our vehicle is equipped with USB and Type-C ports, as well as free Wi-Fi.
Find below the list of hotels near Avlaki Gorge:
Located in the village of Stavros, Paradisio Baby & Kinder Hotel offers a variety of children’s facilities, such as a 400-m² play area, a go kart track, a tree-house, and ping-pong table, as well as animal farm, just a 15-minute walk from the beach.
It offers self-catering accommodation with 2 separate bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a private bathroom. All apartments open out to 2 balconies. The fridge is filled in daily with local products, while own-produced wine and olive oil can be found in the room upon arrival.
The scenic town of Chania with its Venetian harbour is 10 km away. Souda Port is also at 10 km. Free WiFi throughout and free private parking are provided.
from
€173
/night
Featuring garden views, Villa Luz offers accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 3.7 km from The Holy Monastery of Agia Triada. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa is fitted with 2 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 villa features a barbecue and a garden, which can be enjoyed by guests if the weather permits.
House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 12 km from Villa Luz, while Archaeological Museum of Chania is 13 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 3 km from the accommodation.
from
€117
/night
Set in Khordhákion, 6.1 km from The Holy Monastery of Agia Triada and 15 km from House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos, Villa of Light Heart offers a garden and air conditioning. This property offers access to a balcony and free private parking.
The holiday home has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Archaeological Museum of Chania is 15 km from the holiday home, while Saint Anargyri Church is 17 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 2 km from Villa of Light Heart.
Boasting mountain views, Villa Amina features accommodation with a private beach area, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a terrace, around a few steps from Gold Coast Beach. This beachfront property offers access to free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa has 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with sea views.
The villa offers a barbecue. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at Villa Amina, while cycling can be enjoyed nearby.
Stavros Beach is 300 metres from the accommodation, while Sunset Beach is 700 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International, 9 km from Villa Amina, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€469
/night
Boasting mountain views, Helios a modern large villa with private pool set in a quiet location features accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 1.4 km from Stavros Beach. This villa has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa features 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Gold Coast Beach is 1.4 km from the villa, while Sunset Beach is 1.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 8 km from Helios a modern large villa with private pool set in a quiet location.
from
€396
/night
Boasting garden views, Levanda Home features accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 100 metres from Stavros Beach. The air-conditioned accommodation is 100 metres from Gold Coast Beach, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi.
The holiday home with a terrace and mountain views has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are available in the holiday home.
The holiday home features a barbecue and a garden, which can be enjoyed by guests if the weather permits.
Sunset Beach is 500 metres from Levanda Home, while The Holy Monastery of Agia Triada is 8.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 9 km from the accommodation.
from
€115
/night
Located at the farthest point of Akrotiri Cape lies the Diplochachalo Gorge. This gorge is situated near the village of Chordaki, en route to the renowned Stefanou or Seitan Limania beach. The gorge is a compact, breathtaking, and purely technical canyon featuring six descents, two of which are quite tall. It begins just beneath the quarry that stands out in the area. The gorge’s brief route, apart from the descents, forms dramatic rock shelters and formations with steep slopes. At the centre of the tallest waterfall, which stands at 38m, resides a beautiful cave adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, stretching around 20 meters deep. The gorge’s exit leads directly to the sandy shores of Stefanou Beach.
The Diktamos Canyon, nestled within the White Mountains, commences 21km to the east of Chania, near the Katochori village at an elevation of 300m. It concludes 8km further east, at the Faragi village, situated at a height of 40m and in close proximity to the Stylos village in the Apokoronas province. Consequently, it is also referred to as the Katechori Gorge or Stylos Gorge. The canyon’s stream serves as the primary tributary of the Kiliaris River, gathering water from the northern slopes of the Mavri peak and discharging it onto the Kalives beach.
Navigating through the canyon can be challenging, with certain areas requiring extra caution and approximately 3 hours to traverse. The canyon is a stunning, verdant landscape filled with towering trees and steep inclines, home to dittany or diktamos, a herb endemic to Crete. In Stylos, you have the opportunity to explore the ancient church of Apostle John (Agios Ioannis Theologos), refresh yourself at the local springs, and replenish your energy at the village’s taverns.
The Cyclamen Gorge, also known as Agios Georgios Gorge or Gorge Vandes, is nestled on the northern slopes of the White Mountains. Its starting point is the Aletrouvari settlement, situated at an altitude of 300m, and it extends east of Agios Georgios village, ultimately ending at the village of Vandes, which is at an elevation of 50m. The stream that runs through this gorge gathers water from the Drakona area, resulting in the formation of quaint, small ponds at certain spots.
However, this route is not recommended for novice hikers as it requires approximately 2 hours to traverse from Aletrouvari or about 1 hour from Agios Georgios. As visitors journey through this route, they will encounter a diverse landscape that changes along the river, all under the cool shade of towering plane trees and cypresses.
Positioned near the city of Chania, the Therisso Gorge (also known as Eleftherios Venizelos) is an awe-inspiring sight. This six-kilometre-long canyon is adorned with impressive vertical cliffs and lush greenery, rivalling any other gorge in the Chania region. Accessible by car, it’s worth combining a trip to the gorge with a visit to the historic village of Therisso, nestled at the foot of the White Mountains, just 15 kilometres from Chania. This village, steeped in history, offers an unforgettable experience to any visitor.
With a population of just over 100, the valiant village of Therisso has held a significant role in Crete’s modern history, mainly due to the resilience of its inhabitants against Turkish invasions. In 1866, the village was burnt by Mustapha Pasha Naili, forcing many, including the mother of future Greek Prime Minister, Eleftherios Venizelos, to relocate to Kythera and the Peloponnese. Therisso gained further historical prominence in 1905 when Eleftherios Venizelos and his allies initiated a revolution against the autocratic rule of Prince George, imposed by the Great Powers, charting a course for Crete’s union with Greece. Notably, the heroic Halides brothers, key figures in the 1821 revolution, also hailed from Therisso.
© All rights reserved. Crete Locals
