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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.
Get directions to Mavrogiannis Gorge (Skinias)
What type of gorge is Mavrogiannis Gorge?
Mavrogiannis Gorge is a hiking gorge.
Generally, Mavrogiannis Gorge is dry.
Mavrogiannis Gorge is accessible by walking.
Mavrogiannis Gorge is 3.5 km long.
Mavrogiannis Gorge is rated as a 2 in terms of difficulty.
It takes approximately 3 hours to hike Mavrogiannis Gorge.
The altitude difference in Mavrogiannis Gorge is 200. Note: The name of the gorge is Mavrogiannis Gorge.
Find below the list of things to do near Mavrogiannis Gorge (Skinias):
Rent your own motorboat or RIB boat and discover the picturesque islands and scenic views around Crete. Create your own itinerary and explore islands such as Agioi Pantes or Spinalonga, or the beaches of Agriomantra and Kolokytha.
After check-in, set off from the port of Agios Nikolaos on your adventure. Choose a route that interests you and explore lesser-known areas off the coast of Crete.
You can sail to the uninhabited island of Agioi Pantes. Spot the former church which is located at the top of the island. You may also see the endangered species of Cretan mountain goats, called “Kri-Kri”.
Sail to the beautiful island of Spinalonga located 800 meters off the coast. Admire the views of the 16th-century Venetian fortress, which also served as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957.
Make a stop for swimming at Kolokytha, one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete. Hike along the pathway that takes you from the beach to the church of Agios Loukas and the Byzantine chapel of Agios Fokas.
You may also choose to sail towards Agriomantra, a beach that is found at the end of Agriomantra’s gorge and is of outstanding natural beauty. Relax beneath the Tamarisk trees which offer natural shade, while there are barbecues and benches to have a picnic on the beach.
This adventure is a perfect blend of a safari and boat ride to the main area of the region. Venture through the breathtaking mountains and valleys, passing through the small villages, and explore smaller islands off the coast.
Visit the local olive oil factory and learn how traditional olive oil is made on a free guided tour. On the way back, take in picturesque views of the Gulf of Mirabello and the historical island of Spinalonga.
Once arriving at the village of Plaka, board a speedboat for the short ride to Spinalonga, which once served as a leper colony. Take a short tour of the island before heading back to Crete.
Embark on a captivating full-day excursion uncovering Crete’s rich history and stunning landscapes. Immerse yourself in Agios Nikolaos, a town nestled amidst three hills, boasting winding streets and the legendary Lake Voulismeni steeped in captivating folklore. Explore the picturesque bay of Merabelo, visit charming fishing villages, and set sail to Spinalonga, an island with a fascinating fortress and historical leper settlement.
Discover the mountainous terrain adorned with diverse flora and ancient olive trees. Pause at Krasi village to admire one of the world’s oldest plane trees and savor traditional “raki” by natural springs.
Explore the expansive Lasithi Plateau, once home to a grand wind farm of 13,000 windmills. Unveil the legendary Diktaean Cave, Zeus’s birthplace, offering breathtaking vistas of the plateau.
Opt for a delightful traditional homemade Cretan meal amidst picturesque surroundings.
Conclude your adventure in the traditional village of Mochos, engaging with locals at cozy cafes. Depart with cherished memories and a heartwarming smile, chauffeured back to your location.
Embark on an unforgettable journey blending history, natural beauty, and cultural immersion—a voyage that fosters treasured moments and a genuine connection to Crete’s soul.
At Spinalonga, the last leper colony in Europe, we will have a guided tour around this famous island, which is just a distance of 850m. Originally, Venetians fortified the islet in 1579, by building a fortress with 40 cannons and they are actually the best preserved walls in Europe.
It used to be a leper colony from 1903 until 1957, where lepers could have a better life, medical help and economical support. The ruins of the market street with the shops, the hospital and many small houses in which lepers lived isolated, can still be seen.
On our way back on the boat, we are having a stop on the beach “Kolokytha/vathi”, where you can enjoy swimming and a BBQ lunch.
Before we take the road back to Heraklion, we will visit Ag.Nikolaos, a town with 14.000 inhabitants which is built on the side of the Gulf of Mirabello. In the centre of Agios Nikolaos is the lake Voulismeni, probably created by an earthquake. There, we can have a coffee break or a walk around the lake, which gives you a great view from above, over the center and the harbor of Agios Nikolaos. Next to the lovely harbor are shady tree-lined streets filled with shops gives you the opportunity to do some shopping.
Find below the list of hotels near Mavrogiannis Gorge (Skinias):
Situated near Plaka Village of Elounda, Elounda Luxury Villas features a garden with trees and aromatic herbs. It offers fully equipped and stylishly decorated accommodation, each with a private pool and unobstructed sea views. Free WiFi is available throughout.
Fitted with a fireplace, stone details, Coco-Mat items and hand-picked artwork, all split-level units are air conditioned and have a satellite, flat-screen TV and blu-ray player. All units include a kitchen with a dishwasher and oven with hobs, as well as a Nespresso coffee machine and a kettle. Each has an indoor and outdoor dining area and 2 bathrooms, one with shower and one with bath or spa bath, along with bathrobes and slippers. Towels and bed linen are provided.
Elounda Luxury Villas also includes a barbecue.
Heraklion International Airport is 63 km away. Free private parking is available on site.
from
€61
/night
Villa Dimitra by Elounda Island View Villas features pool views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Elounda, 700 metres from Plaka Beach.
The villa provides guests with a terrace, mountain views, a seating area, satellite flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and bathrobes. A microwave, a toaster and fridge are also featured, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Villa Dimitra by Elounda Island View Villas offers a hot tub.
Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at the accommodation.
Spinalonga Beach is 1.5 km from Villa Dimitra by Elounda Island View Villas, while Lake Voulismeni is 16 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 60 km from the villa, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€971
/night
Located in Elounda Village, Almond Tree offers accommodation with a fully equipped kitchen and private balconies. A swimming pool surrounded by a garden with sun beds is available. Plaka Beach is at 4 km.
Formerly used as stables, the stone-built Almond Tree apartments and villas are traditionally decorated with wooden furnishings and iron beds. The furnished terrace features a traditional Greek clay oven. The property includes a dining and a seating area with fireplace, and is equipped with a flat-screen TV, coffee maker, microwave and mini fridge.
Guests can enjoy local cuisine in a variety of traditional restaurants and cafes at nearby villages.
Within 30 km, you can visit the Minoan town of Gournia, while the Minoan Palace of Malia is at 35 km. The fishing village of Plaka connecting to the island of Spinalonga is at 5 km. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
from
€178
/night
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, Leyla Luxury Villa is situated in Pláka. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa with a terrace and sea views has 7 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 7 bathrooms with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are available in the villa.
Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at the villa.
Plaka Beach is 1.3 km from Leyla Luxury Villa, while Spinalonga Beach is 3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 60 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€756
/night
Located in Elounda, 400 metres from Plaka Beach, Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa provides accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a garden. This 5-star resort offers room service and a concierge service. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, a shared lounge and free WiFi throughout the property.
The resort will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a shower. At Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa every room has bed linen and towels.
Breakfast is available daily, and includes American, vegetarian and gluten-free options. At the accommodation you will find a restaurant serving Mediterranean and international cuisine. Vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options can also be requested.
Bike hire and car hire are available at this resort and the area is popular for cycling.
Spinalonga Beach is 1.9 km from Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa, while Lake Voulismeni is 16 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 60 km from the resort.
from
€341
/night
Located in Chavgas and only 2.7 km from Plaka Beach, Falcon Villa provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This villa offers air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The villa with a terrace and sea views features 4 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 3 bathrooms with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the villa.
Guests can enjoy the infinity pool and garden at the villa.
Lake Voulismeni is 20 km from Falcon Villa, while Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 48 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 56 km from the accommodation.
from
€427
/night
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 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 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.
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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