Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge
Also known as Kalami I, the Panagia (Virgin Mary) Canyon runs in parallel to the Xerofarago Gorge, or Kalami II. It’s named after the Panagia Keralimeniotissa Monastery, which used to be located at the canyon’s exit. This canyon is technical, meaning it features steep descents and requires special canyoning gear to traverse. Spanning roughly 600 meters, the canyon includes six rappels, the highest of which is about 15 meters. It’s rich in vegetation and has a distinct beauty. The riverbed holds water until spring. Crete’s speleological clubs have bolted the canyon, and a small canyoning group can navigate it in about 1:30 hours.
If you’re planning to use two cars and park them at the canyon’s entrance and exit, the distance between the two parking spots is around 2.5 km or a 10-minute drive. Alternatively, you can reach the entrance by walking along the canyon walls for approximately 20-25 minutes.
Location
Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge is located at Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge, in the Heraklion 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 Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge?
Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge is a technical gorge.
Is there water in Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge?
Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge has water till spring.
How accessible is Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge?
The entrance to Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge is accessible by a dirt track.
How long is Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge?
Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge is approximately 0.6 kilometer long.
How long it takes to hike Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge?
It takes approximately 1.5 hours to hike Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge
How difficult is Panagia Keralimeniotissa Gorge?
is rated as an 7 out of 10 in terms of difficulty.
