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The trail linking Sougia to ancient Lissos runs through the grandeur of the Lissos or Skevroto gorge. This lengthy canyon is characterized by its majestic towering walls. However, the path to Lissos only covers a fraction of this route, taking approximately one hour to traverse.
Upon exiting the path on the Lissos side, one encounters the historical remnants of ancient Lissos. Notable landmarks include the Asclepius temple with its floor mosaic, the scattered ruins of the ancient city, tombs, the Roman theatre, and the Panagia and St. Kirikos churches. These churches were erected on the foundation of a previous early Christian church.
Returning to Sougia is possible either by embarking on a boat ride from the picturesque Lissos beach or by retracing the path on foot.
Get directions to Lissos Gorge
Find below the list of things to do near Lissos Gorge:
Through this route we will discover the wild side of southern Crete and end up at one of the best beaches of Crete with crystal clear waters
Our first stop is the Minoan Farm where we will have the opportunity to learn how Cretan honey and Cretan olive oil are produced as well as to get to know Cretan herbs up close. Our stop really fills us with Crete.
Then we arrive at traditional village of Archanes where we will have about 40 minutes of free time to be enchanted by the architecture of the houses, the narrow streets of the village and to relax under the plane trees
Then through a beautiful route we reach the foot of the constellations and climb to an altitude of 850 meters
This is where the wild side of Southern Crete begins to appear and the landscapes are truly beautiful and dreamlike
Crossing the beautiful gorge we find ourselves at one of the best beaches of Crete with crystal clear waters
Here we enjoy a wonderful meal and take a bath
On our way back through a beautiful route we end up at the Monastery of Epanosifi with the Byzantine churches and we will get to know the life of the Cretan priests
With what better images we end up at the hotel
This route will imprint deep in your mind the best memories from Wild Unknown Crete !!!!
Embark on a full-day guided trip to the Samaria Gorge from Chania. Arrive in Omalos in the heart of the White Mountains, and enjoy breakfast before trekking along the longest gorge in Europe, 4,000 feet above sea level.
After breakfast, enter the Samaria Gorge. Walk at your own pace with your English-speaking guide at the end of the group to help out if you need them.
Hike over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees and along a river, passing by fresh-water springs along the way. Enjoy views of Crete’s most beautiful mountain range and see mountain goats roaming in the wild. Feel the exhilaration of challenging yourself with a long hike.
At the end of the trek, visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars, and shops. Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. A meeting point will be arranged so you can collect your ferry tickets from your guide.
Late in the afternoon, you’ll board a boat that will take you from Agia Roumeli to Sougia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the starting point about 7.30 PM.
Take a day trip from Rethymno to set out on an outdoor adventure into Samaria Gorge National Park. Hike at your own pace with a guide over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees, along a river, and by fresh-water springs. Keep an eye out for mountain goats roaming in the wild.
Begin your full-day excursion to Samaria Gorge with pickup and a drive to Omalos, in the heart of the White Mountains, where you can enjoy breakfast before you start the hike. Challenge yourself with 18 kilometers of walking over rocky terrain.
Be accompanied by a mountain escort who speaks English, German, and French. Get briefed about your hike and get your tickets for the entrance and ferry boat from your escort. These fees have to be paid to the guide upon arrival.
After breakfast, enter the Samaria Gorge. Walk at your own pace as your guide will be at the end of the group to help out if you need them. At the end of the trek, visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars, and shops.
Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. A meeting point will be arranged so you can collect your ferry tickets from your guide. Late in the afternoon, board a boat to go from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the pickup point.
Embark on a guided hike in the Samariá Gorge on a day trip from Rethymno or Chania. Get your daily dose of exercise, enjoy the panoramic views and take a swim.
Discover the longest gorge in Europe, an area of stunning natural beauty. See its many flowers and herbs and the crystal-clear spring waters that flow from the mountains.
Following an early morning pickup from the nearest point to your accommodation in Rethymno or Chania, travel through the mountains passing the plateau of Omalos.
Arrive at some wooden stairs at the start of Samariá Gorge. You can opt to start the walk straight away or get some breakfast at the taverna before you begin. Hike for approximately 6-7 hours and experience the magnificent landscape on a 16-kilometer walk.
Once you have finished the hike, there will be ample time for a swim and lunch at a taverna in Agia Roumeli.
Find below the list of hotels near Lissos Gorge:
Located within 300 metres from Sougia Beach, Galini offers accommodation with furnished balconies overlooking the Lefka Ori mountain range. Rooms are equipped with fridge and a TV.
Studios and Apartments Galini feature air-conditioned units with coffee-making facilities. Most accommodation types include kitchenettes. Room cleaning is provided daily.
Family-run Galini Studios & Apartments offer free Wi-Fi access in all studios and apartments. There are barbecue facilities in the garden as well as a common kitchen. Free private parking is possible on site.
The scenic Sougia village is located by the Libyan sea, about 70 km from the city of Chania. There are many tavernas and shops for everyday necessities. Samaria Gorge and Agia Irini Gorge are easily accessible by boat.
Situated just 200 metres from the beach of Sougia, 3-star Syia Hotel offers self-catering rooms with private balcony. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hotel.
Syia open-plan studios and two-room apartments are bright and very spacious. They include a well-equipped kitchenette with coffee maker, toaster and fridge. Climate control, a satellite TV and a hairdryer are included.
Guests can start their day with the breakfast served at the property’s dining area. They can also enjoy a drink from the bar either at the lounge area or at the furnished terrace overlooking the Libyan Sea.
Syia serves as a convenient starting point for exploring the beaches of South Crete, such as Palaiochora located a 30-minute drive away. Free on-site parking is possible.
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Featuring a sun terrace, Archon Villa is a detached holiday home situated in Palaiochóra. The air-conditioned unit is 36 km from Chania Town.
A dishwasher and an oven can be found in the kitchen and there is a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hair dryer. A flat-screen TV with satellite channels and DVD player is offered. Other facilities at Archon Villa include a swimming pool.
Chania International Airport is 46 km away.
Located in Sougia, 33 km from Samaria Gorge, Monastery Estate Retreat provides accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a concierge service, along with free WiFi. The property is allergy-free and is set 46 km from Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a shower. All rooms come with a kettle, while some rooms are equipped with a patio and others also offer pool views. At Monastery Estate Retreat each room is equipped with bed linen and towels.
A continental breakfast is available daily at the accommodation.
Monastery Estate Retreat offers 3-star accommodation with a sauna and spa centre.
The nearest airport is Chania International, 68 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Built of stone and wood, Monastery Estate is located in the traditional Moni Village of Chania, within 4.5 km from Sougia Beach. It offers self-catering accommodation with fireplace, free Wi-Fi and a patio overlooking the mountain range of Lefka Ori.
Fitted with wooden floors and beamed ceilings, the apartments of Monastery combine modern and traditional elements. Each air-conditioned unit features a seating and a dining area and a well-equipped kitchen. The stone-built bathroom comes with shower and a hairdryer.
Restaurants and mini markets can be found at Sougia Village, within 4.5 km from Monastery Estate. The famous Agia Eirini Gorge is at 13 km, while the seaside Paleochora is 28 km away. Free private parking is possible on site.
Located in Agrilés, 44 km from Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete and 50 km from Limnoupolis, Mountain Bliss Guesthouse 1 next to Sougia offers a terrace and air conditioning. It is situated 31 km from Samaria Gorge and features free WiFi and free private parking.
The apartment with a balcony 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 apartment.
The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 66 km from the apartment.
Located just half an hour above the Lissos archaeological site, in a concealed location known as Lichnou Laki, is a small yet stunning canyon. This gorge is situated in the Selino district, beneath the village of Prodromi, to the south of Chania. It can be accessed via a dirt road that leads south from the village. This petite canyon is lush with greenery and is divided into two distinct sections. The first section is predominantly populated with lentisks, junipers, and oaks, while the second section is blanketed with pine trees, despite a previous fire that ravaged the area.
The gentle riverbed of Lichnou Laki canyon doesn’t feature any waterfalls or other impediments. At the canyon’s most striking point, there is a picturesque rock shelter forming a triangle. Towards the lower exit, a plateau is scattered with ceramic fragments, a clear indication of a former ancient settlement.
The petite Keratida gorge, filled with pine trees, begins just past the village of Koustogerako. After a challenging two-hour hike, it intersects with the coastal E4 trail that links Sougia and Agia Roumeli. Initially, the route runs alongside the gorge. However, the descent is quite steep and requires caution, as the gorge can be quite unforgiving. The route concludes near the sea, in close proximity to Agios Antonios beach (also known as Charei). From Agios Antonios, it takes an additional two hours to get back to Sougia.
The relatively small yet stunning Anydri gorge is situated to the east of Paleochora, accumulating water from the Asfendiles and Ancient Hyrtakina regions via the Dichalomata stream. The gorge originates from the Anidri village and meanders for approximately 3km between towering cliffs, eventually ending at the picturesque Gialiskari beach.
Trekking through the canyon is straightforward and follows the stream, which typically dries up during the summer. The gorge is sparsely dotted with trees and the rocky walls are not too high, so it’s recommended to bring a hat and sunscreen for protection.
Tripiti, the second largest gorge in proximity to Samaria gorge after Klados gorge, can be reached from Omalos plateau via the Gigilos peak trail that intersects Linosseli spring. However, caution is advised due to a precarious pathway where massive landslides could occur, potentially trapping you. It is strongly recommended to be accompanied by an experienced hiker for safety.
As one of Crete’s longest gorges, Tripiti necessitates a two-day journey since no roads lead directly to its entrance. The adventure begins on the first day from Plateau Omalos (elevation 1200 meters), climbing towards the formidable Gigilos peak (2080m). The path crosses the Linoseli spring (1,400m), then ascends to a mountain ridge at 1700m where the Koustogerako trail intersects with the Gigilos trail. From this ridge, the descent to Tripiti gorge’s riverbed commences, which can be reached from Omalos in about three hours. Overnight options include staying on the ridge or continuing slightly further to the dilapidated Tzatzimos sheepfold.
The following day, continue down the trail until it intersects with the river bed at an elevation of 700m. From there, follow the bed to reach the South Cretan Sea at Tripiti beach. The journey from Gigilos to the beach is approximately six hours. The gorge is a spectacle with towering, often cavernous walls (Tripiti’s name derives from the Greek word for caves, “tripes”). It’s not uncommon for hikers to encounter the endangered Cretan ibex amidst the lush flora and pine trees.
Close to Tripiti beach, located at Cape Tripiti, you’ll find a water cistern, a quaint goat pen, and the picturesque chapel of Saint Nicholas. The Tripiti peninsula was once home to the ancient town Pikilasos, a port for the influential town Elyros. If no boat is available for pick-up, a 3-4 hour walk along the E4 trail to the west will take you to the coastal village of Sougia. This trail also passes by the ruins of the Turkish tower of Voukelasi and the chapel of Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elijah). On the feast day of Prophet Elijah (19-20 July), many people from Sougia visit the chapel either by boat or on foot.
For the initial part of the gorge, the riverbed has steep descents requiring canyoneering equipment. Therefore, canyoners can bypass the side trail and traverse the gorge using technical gear in the bed.
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