Kotsifos Gorge
The gorge of Kotsifos starts at Kannevos village and ends at Plakias. The starting point is very narrow with a width of about 10m, which gradually increases and reaches 600m. The total length is 1800m, and the almost vertical sides that reach a height of 600m. Inside the gorge, there is a small temple built inside a rocky cavity dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
Hiking in the upper part of the gorge (Kanevos – Bridge of Sellia).
Starting from the village Kanevos you can start hiking on the riverbed and reach the bridge that connects villages Selia and Myrthios (after about one hour of course). Along the way, there are large boulders that block the passage, but with a little attention, you can overcome them. At one point the side-gorge of Boutsinas meets Kotsyfos with an impressive waterfall of 20 meters. In summer the riverbed is dry.
Course in the upper part of the gorge (Bridge of Sellia – Plakias)
At the location of the bridge that heads to Selia, the canyon gradually turns into a wide valley. You can continue our course at the bottom of the gorge, along the riverbed. After meeting a modern temple, after 3-4 minutes you meet a dirt road that heads backwards (opposite the flow of the river). If you follow this road in a few minutes you will meet the springs of Kotsifos where a pond is formed (surrounding villages get water from here). From here onwards, the river has a water flow throughout the year emptying on the beach of Plakias.
Location
Kotsifos Gorge is located at Kotsyfos Gorge, in the Rethymno region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
Frequently asked questions
What type of gorge is Kotsifos Gorge?
Kotsifos Gorge is a hiking gorge.
Is there water in Kotsifos Gorge?
Yes, there is water in Kotsifos Gorge until the spring.
How accessible is Kotsifos Gorge?
Kotsifos Gorge is accessible via a paved road.
How long is Kotsifos Gorge?
Kotsifos Gorge is 2 km long.
What is the difficulty level of Kotsifos Gorge?
Kotsifos Gorge has a difficulty level of 3 out of 10.
How many hours does it take to hike Kotsifos Gorge?
It takes approximately 2 hours to hike Kotsifos Gorge.
What is the altitude difference in Kotsifos Gorge?
The altitude difference in Kotsifos Gorge is 200.
