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The Maliaris Gorge, which originates near the Peronides village, travels west of the Souvlos village where a trail commences, and combines with the Anemaliaris gorge before concluding at the Tzavlidon Vlyhada beach. This gorge, characterized by scrublands, expansive areas, and cave-filled walls, is a classic representation of the Mirabello region. Notably, the gorge is home to a massive cave known as Volakospilios, situated in its center.
Get directions to Maliaris Gorge
Maliaris Gorge is located in the Lasithi Region of Crete, Greece.
The hiking difficulty level in Maliaris Gorge is moderate to difficult, with some steep and rocky sections.
The best time to visit Maliaris Gorge is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is mild and the vegetation is lush.
No, there are no entrance fees to visit Maliaris Gorge.
It is not necessary to hire a guide to hike in Maliaris Gorge, but it is recommended for safety reasons and to learn more about the history and geology of the area.
You should bring comfortable hiking shoes, plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera to capture the stunning views.
Find below the list of things to do near Maliaris Gorge:
This tour is a special way to discover the countryside of Crete in a top buggy! You will experience the ultimate adventure, crossing gorges, in an breathtaking manner and being guided to places you have never been. Come and have a try. You will follow our experienced guide starting from our base to the archeological site, Minoa palace, where you will be shown around by a tour guide and then we continue by driving through the beautiful villages of Sissi , epano Sissi and Milatos where we will visit the Milatos cave.
The cave is large, measuring 2,100 square meters, with eight small and large entrances. It is 73 meters long, and its widest point is 63 meters. We will come across a little church built in 1935, and a memorial of those slaughtered by the Turks.
We will continue our tour by driving up the mountain and crossing some gorges. The longest stop of the tour will be made at the village of Sisi where lunch will be served in traditional tavern.
After eating and chatting, our trip will continue to the village of Neapoli where we will visit Vasilakis olive factory and have a friendly olive tour in an award-winning Cretan olive press.
After that we will drive to the village of Vrahasi in a beautiful ethnic museum where you will have the opportunity to learn about the way the local people lived in the past ( if the museum is open) . Nearing the end of our tour we will continue back to Malia where we will have our final stop at a small beautiful private beach, then we will drive back to our base where our journey began.
It doesn’t matter if you have never driven a buggy before as the vehicles are user-friendly, and everybody will get a detailed instruction and practice on the spot before we start our tour. What makes our tour unique is the fact that we reach the most hidden spots on the island where we meet the friendly locals. The distance of the tour is approx. 80km.
Get on board on the two-seater buggy with your partner and cruise along the endless rural roads of Crete with its amazing landscape. we wait for you !!!!!!
What about a daily fishing tour combined with swimming in crystal clear blue sea? Starting off at the renowned fishing village of Elounda, you will board a small boat and when you are out in the open sea a local fisherman will show you various fishing techniques and will help you catch your fish. Enjoy your time by fishing with rod. Then it is time to swim and do snorkeling in the clear crystal sea of Elounda bay and enjoy the serenity of the place. The tour ends with a delicious meal onboard, including the fishes that you have catched, during our return to the port.
The excursion can take place at different times of the day (09:00-14:00 / 12:00-17:00 / 16:00-21:00).
The calculated time includes the transfer time to the boat and return.
In the city of Gouves, our group of adrenaline enthusiasts undergoes a safety briefing and receives quad bikes and helmets.
The trip does not take place on public roads. The entire route is laid out on dirt roads, olive groves, and rough terrain.
On this journey, Tez Tour paid maximum attention to safety! The group moved in a column, with drivers maintaining distance and not overtaking each other.
On the way, we encounter small ravines and hills, and rocky hills. We ride through olive groves and groves of wild carob trees. As we advance, we get further and further away from civilization. Along the way, there are thickets of impassable Mediterranean shrubs and grass.
Our path leads deep into the islands, to the cave of St. Paraskeva (Skotino). On the way to the cave, our convoy of quad bikes moves along the upper edge of the Skotino canyon. The landscapes that open up are simply breathtaking.
From a bird’s-eye view, we see the bottom of the gorge, where we will pass through thickets of green shrubs and reeds on the way back.
While moving in a column, guests can enjoy the views and nature, but for full safety, it is not possible to “squeeze out the maximum” potential of the quad bike. Experienced drivers or adrenaline lovers may have a huge desire to try something more.
During the stop near the cave, guests can ride “almost without restrictions” on a wide dirt road. Those who have enough adrenaline can also visit two small mountain churches built right above the entrance to the cave.
When the group is ready, the guide hands out headlamps and helmets, takes a large flashlight, and we begin an exciting exploration of the underground world of the Skotino cave. First, we discuss safety techniques and then descend to the bottom of the cave. The entrance is hidden in dense green vegetation, and there is no one around except us.
The cave is one of the largest in Crete and Greece, about 10 times the size of the famous Zeus cave. The descent is not difficult. Non-professional cavers only need about 1-1,5 hours to explore the cave’s stalactites and stalagmites.
After visiting the cave, the group of quad bikes returns to Gouves.
This tour is a special way to discover the countryside of Crete in a top buggy! You will experience the ultimate adventure, crossing gorges, in an breathtaking manner and being guided to places you have never been. Come and have a try. You will follow our experienced guide starting from our base to the archeological site, Minoa palace, where you will be shown around by a tour guide and then we continue by driving through the beautiful villages of Sissi , epano Sissi and Milatos where we will visit the Milatos cave.
The cave is large, measuring 2,100 square meters, with eight small and large entrances. It is 73 meters long, and its widest point is 63 meters. We will come across a little church built in 1935, and a memorial of those slaughtered by the Turks.
It doesn’t matter if you have never driven a buggy before as the vehicles are user-friendly, and everybody will get a detailed instruction and practice on the spot before we start our tour. What makes our tour unique is the fact that we reach the most hidden spots on the island where we meet the friendly locals. The distance of the tour is approx. 50km.
Get on board on the two-seater buggy with your partner and cruise along the endless rural roads of Crete with its amazing landscape. we wait for you !!!!!!
Find below the list of hotels near Maliaris Gorge:
Set in Milatos, 40 km from Heraklio Town, Vasia Villas boasts a seasonal outdoor pool and barbecue. The accommodation features a hot tub. Hersonissos is 17 km away. Free WiFi is featured throughout the property and free private parking is available on site.
All units have a satellite flat-screen TV. Some units include a dining area and/or balcony. There is also a kitchen, equipped with a dishwasher, oven and microwave. A toaster and refrigerator are also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. Each unit features 2 private bathrooms with a bath and a hair dryer, and 1 WC. Towels and bed linen are provided.
Ágios Nikólaos is 19 km from Vasia Villas, while Mália is 11 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 37 km from the property.
from
€329
/night
Milatos Seaside Suites has mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Milatos, a few steps from Balos Beach.
The aparthotel provides guests with a terrace, sea views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and a private bathroom with shower and a hair dryer. A toaster, a fridge and stovetop are also offered, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Milatos Seaside Suites offers a picnic area.
Volia Beach is 200 metres from the accommodation, while Aspes Beach is 200 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 43 km from Milatos Seaside Suites.
Boasting mountain views, Jenny’s Apartments features accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around a few steps from Volia Beach. This beachfront property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
This apartment with sea views has tiled floors, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a shower and a hair dryer. There is a seating area and a kitchenette equipped with kitchenware.
The apartment features a garden and sun terrace, which can be enjoyed by guests if the weather permits.
Balos Beach is 200 metres from Jenny’s Apartments, while Plaka Beach is 300 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 43 km from the accommodation.
Set 200 metres from Plaka Beach, 300 metres from Balos Beach and 27 km from Lake Voulismeni, Akali Apt Next to the Beach offers accommodation situated in Milatos. The accommodation is 50 metres from the Volia Beach and has free WiFithroughout the property.
This air-conditioned apartment is fitted with 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV, and a kitchen.
Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 35 km from the apartment, while Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 50 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 43 km from Akali Apt Next to the Beach.
from
€131
/night
Situated 200 metres from Plaka Beach, 300 metres from Balos Beach and 27 km from Lake Voulismeni, Minoas Apt Next to the Beach features accommodation set in Milatos. The accommodation is a few steps from the Volia Beach and has free WiFithroughout the property.
This air-conditioned apartment features 3 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV, and a kitchen.
Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 35 km from the apartment, while Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 50 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 43 km from Minoas Apt Next to the Beach.
from
€167
/night
Set in Milatos, a few steps from Volia Beach and 100 metres from Plaka Beach, TerraZeus – Stone House Beachfront 3 offers air conditioning. This beachfront property offers access to a balcony and free WiFi.
The apartment comes with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchenette, and a terrace with sea views.
Balos Beach is 300 metres from the apartment, while Lake Voulismeni is 27 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 43 km from TerraZeus – Stone House Beachfront 3.
from
€122
/night
The Skotini Gorge cuts through some of the most secluded and untamed regions of Crete. A research station for the study of aerosols, established by the University of Crete, is situated in this isolated location, far from the pollution of urban areas and devoid of human activity. From the village of Finokalias, a brief journey northward will lead you to the gorge. As you traverse this path, you’ll encounter a stunningly wild terrain characterized by bare rocks, sparse vegetation, and a variety of spices and herbs. Within the gorge, you’ll find 2-3 wells filled with water and numerous caves nestled within its towering walls. One such cave is said to have been the dwelling of a mysterious woman known as Datserolenia, according to local lore. This cave is guarded by a stone wall at its entrance. A small beach, Skotini, is situated just a short distance away.
Alternatively, you can take the dirt road from Finokalias to the Saint Andrew Monastery, situated at Cape Drepani. A section of this church is constructed on the mountain rock, with an inscription indicating that its repair was funded by patients from Spinalonga. To reach the beach from here, you’ll need to head eastward along the shoreline.
The name Skotini, meaning ‘dark’ in Greek, likely originates from the high, closely spaced walls of the canyon which, along with the tree canopy, significantly diminish the light, giving the gorge a ‘dark’ appearance. Another theory suggests that the name is derived from the numerous dark caves found within the canyon.
The undiscovered Kouroukoulos gorge originates from the abandoned village of Agalianos, located in the Merambelo district of Lasithi prefecture. The old trail from the village leads us to the Lagos stream, which is suitable for hiking along its entire length. Initially, the terrain is dominated by oak trees, but as we get closer to the sea, the vegetation changes to brushwood and oregano.
To the west of Kouroukoulos lies the Patsopoulos Gorge, separated by a thin strip of rugged, rocky land known as Spathi. From the peak of Spathi, one can enjoy views of both canyons. Just before reaching the sea, the two canyons merge into one. The Kokkinos Detis (Red Cliff), a spot of exceptional beauty in the gorge, is home to a variety of rare, mostly endemic, plants that thrive in rock crevices.
Close to the sea exit, there is a quaint chapel dedicated to St. Luke, a local hermit who was fatally struck by an arrow in the canyon. Beneath the chapel lies St. Luke’s cave, from which “holy” water drips. A little further on from the chapel, the gorge opens out onto the pebble-filled Kouroukoulos beach, boasting a captivating underwater landscape. On the beach’s eastern side, a sea cave beneath the cliff leads to the delightful pebble beach of Kakia Naspa (Evil Landslide), an excellent spot for swimming.
The Mavrogiannis Gorge, also known as Skinias Gorge, originates from the vicinity of the Skinias village in the Mirabello province. Following a winding path, it culminates at the stunning Avlaki beach in Vlychadia. This dry canyon is characterized by magnificent rock structures throughout its length. Although the gorge transports water from the Areti Monastery region, it is predominantly dry.
Located approximately 45km east of Heraklion and 21km west of Agios Nikolaos, the Gorge Sellinari is nestled on the eastern slopes of Selena Mount, draining the valley west of Vrachassi. This gorge is a well-known location for all Cretans as the National Road from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos runs along it. Historically, it served as the natural passage from the region of Lassithi to the fertile north coasts of Heraklion.
The dense vegetation of Selinari can be enjoyed either by car or by taking a leisurely walk until its exit near Milatos. A route worth exploring is the old National Road, which runs parallel to the New Road and winds through the gorge. The gorge walls and surrounding mountains provide a haven for many birds of prey. Selinari was once a refuge for the rare Cretan wild goat, but sadly, it is now extinct. Several springs are scattered around the area, but the most renowned attraction is the historic Saint George Monastery. For the Cretans, it is considered a bad omen to pass a gorge without stopping at the monastery. This belief stems from the past when the Selinari Monastery served as a rest stop for travelers and their animals.
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