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The Rocca, Roka, Rocka, or Rokka Gorge, situated 32km west of Chania in the Kolymbari region, stretches for 2km from the village of Deliana to the village of Roka. The settlement features Trouli hill, which is home to the remnants of a Byzantine fortress.
Despite the ease of hiking through the gorge (typically a 2-hour trek), it can be challenging to traverse without getting wet during periods of water flow in the narrower sections. The gorge is adorned with numerous plane trees that provide a cool respite from the sun. The gorge’s vertical sides are incredibly tall and impressive at certain points. The main path follows the dry riverbed during the summer.
Upon exiting Roka gorge, you’ll encounter the Mesonisi settlement. Following a dirt road will lead you to Roka village and Trouli hill. You can climb up to the castle ruins for a breathtaking view of the surrounding areas, or unwind in the local coffee shop.
Get directions to Roka Gorge
Find below the list of things to do near Roka Gorge:
On our Kayak Sunset Tour, you will have the opportunity to paddle in a stunning sea gulf, visit the shipwreck that rests in middle of Kissamos bay, the old Ravdoucha metal mine ruins, a very interesting sea cave and reach out to a small private beach for rest and snorkel!
The Kayak Sunset Tour starts in the afternoon, on a beach very close to Kissamos city. After the reservation, a small form is sent to you with extra details that we will need in order for us to have the kayaks adjusted and ready for our small kayak adventure.
We start by meeting all together in our starting point, fitting the safety equipment and taking instructions on how to kayak and being safe in the sea!
When all the participants take place in their kayaks, we start our tour by heading for our first point of interest, which is a shipwreck (Manassa Rose) in the middle of Kissamos Bay!
You will hear the story of this shipwreck and after that we will take the course heading to the next point of interest that is some metal mine ruins from 1905!
On the way, we will paddle through a beautiful coast line and hear some interesting facts about the area!
Distant small chapels are along our way and very nice rocky natural formations!
Reaching the mine ruins, we will hear the small story of them and straight after we will head for a small private beach accessible only by sea!
There we have a stop for rest, swim and snorkel its amazing underwater formations.
Right after we leave the small beach, we will have the opportunity to explore the sea cave of Ravdoucha.
When we are ready and the sunset light is getting ready to lay down its colors, we start paddling back to the starting point in the lights of the Sunset.
A total paddling time is around 3 hours and the total tour is around 4,5 hours!
No kayaking experience is required since all our equipment is beginner friendly and instructions are provided before our tour!
On our Kayak Morning Tour, you will have the opportunity to paddle in a stunning sea gulf, visit a shipwreck and some other very interesting spots and reach out to a small private beach for rest and snorkel!
Our Kayak Morning Tour starts from a beach very close to Kissamos city.
After the reservation, a small form is sent to you with extra details that we will need in order to have the kayaks adjusted and ready for our small kayak adventure.
We start by meeting all together in our starting point, fitting the safety equipment and taking instructions on how to kayak and being safe in the sea!
When all the participants take place in their kayaks, we will start our tour by heading for our first point of interest, which is a shipwreck (Manassa Rose) in the middle of Kissamos Bay!
You will hear the story of this shipwreck and after that we will take our course heading to the next point of interest that is some metal mine ruins from 1905!
On the way, we will paddle through a beautiful coast line and hear some interesting facts about the area!
Distant small chapels are along our way and very nice rocky natural formations!
Reaching the mine ruins, we will hear the small story of them and straight after we will head for a small private beach accessible only by sea!
There we have a stop for rest, drink some beverages, swim and snorkel its amazing underwater formations.
Right after we leave the small beach, we will have the opportunity to explore the sea cave of Ravdoucha.
On this 1-hour tour you’ll enjoy a total olive oil experience at Terra Creta, located in the heart of the Kolymvari region. Visit the innovative, state-of-the-art facility and learn about the process from harvesting to production.
The mill operates only from October to February. Information and tips about best use and storage are provided by the highly skilled personnel.
Enjoy a guided tasting of 3 different olive oils and sample a variety of appetizers. Afterwards, browse the store and purchase high-quality Terra Creta olive oils of different labels, as well as balsamic vinegar and Greek olives in travel-safe packaging.
Come and experience a Greek Night with traditional cuisine, traditional Cretan dances and learn more about the history of Cretan food and culture. Our outdoor seating venue is located in the center of Kissamos in an old cobble stone road.
At night you will see an old church close by being lit up while we eat, laugh and dance!
Break a Plate with us while dancing like a local!
** Starting time: 18H00 / 6 PM
We will kick off the evening with local Cretan Beer & Wine tasting at 6pm
(Please be at the venue 10 minutes prior, to secure we start on time)
This Experience is held at The Greek Cook Out. The Venue was first an old Greek Prison and is now transformed into an experience to dance, enjoy Cretan cuisine, and make new friends.
Welcome to our table, the longest dinner table in Greece – 15,3m
We can’t wait to meet you!
Find below the list of hotels near Roka Gorge:
Featuring garden views, Anastasia Villa Rokka Traditional provides accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 14 km from Kissamos / Kasteli Port. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa is equipped with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
A outdoor play equipment is also available at the villa, while guests can also relax in the garden.
Agios Dimitrios Church is 26 km from Anastasia Villa Rokka Traditional, while Ancient Falassarna is 26 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 49 km from the accommodation.
from
€99
/night
Located in Kissamos, 16 km from Kissamos / Kasteli Port and 29 km from Gramvousa, Heated Private Ozone Salt Pool, Jacuzzi, Cinema, Ping Pong, Billiard, Ps5, Playground – Villa Rokka Luxe offers a private, infinity, sea-water pool of 50 m2 with hydromassage jets and air conditioning. This villa has a garden, barbecue facilities, Spa-Hot Tub, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa features 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with cable and local channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a fridge, a washing machine, and 2 bathrooms with a hot tub.
The villa offers a hot tub. A terrace is available on site and cycling can be enjoyed within close proximity of Villa Rokka with Ozone Therapy Pool.
Kissamos Stadium is 13 km from the accommodation. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 52 km from Heated Private Ozone Salt Pool, Jacuzzi, Cinema, Ping Pong, Billiard, Ps5, Playground – Villa Rokka Luxe.
from
€53
/night
Set in Rókka, 14 km from Kissamos / Kasteli Port and 26 km from Agios Dimitrios Church, Luxurious Stone Apartment 1 offers air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi. The property has garden views and is 26 km from Ancient Falassarna and 26 km from Platanias Square.
The apartment with a terrace and mountain views features 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a bath. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment.
The apartment offers a picnic area. There is a garden with a barbecue at this property and guests can go fishing nearby.
Municipal Garden is 34 km from Luxurious Stone Apartment 1, while Fransiscan Monastery of Agios Fragkiskos is 34 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 49 km from the accommodation.
from
€56
/night
Boasting a shared lounge, a garden, and barbecue facilities, Trouli Rokka House offers accommodation in Rokka with free WiFi and garden views. The property is 50 km from Georgioupolis and free private parking is offered.
The holiday home has 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a fridge and an oven, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a hot tub.
At the holiday home guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot tub. Guests at Trouli Rokka House can enjoy hiking nearby, or benefit from the sun terrace.
Chania Town is 26 km from the accommodation, while Elafonisi is 28 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 38 km from Trouli Rokka House.
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, pool view and a patio, Cretan Kera Villa Heated Pool is situated in Kerá. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa with a terrace and mountain views has 4 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 2 bathrooms with a shower. Towels and bed linen are offered in the villa.
The reception at the villa can provide tips on the area.
Cretan Kera Villa Heated Pool offers a picnic area. If you would like to discover the area, diving, fishing and hiking are possible in the surroundings and the accommodation can arrange a car rental service.
Kissamos / Kasteli Port is 16 km from Cretan Kera Villa Heated Pool, while Agios Dimitrios Church is 28 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International, 52 km from the villa, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€291
/night
Featuring garden views, Old Winery House provides accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 22 km from Agios Dimitrios Church. The air-conditioned accommodation is 20 km from Kissamos / Kasteli Port, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi.
The holiday home with a terrace and mountain views features 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 provided in the holiday home.
The holiday home offers a barbecue. Guests at Old Winery House can enjoy cycling nearby, or make the most of the garden.
Platanias Square is 23 km from the accommodation, while Municipal Garden is 30 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 46 km from Old Winery House.
from
€55
/night
The Deliana – Mesavlia Gorge, a point of contention between the villages of Mesavlia and Deliana, is situated 37km to the west of Chania. This disagreement is even evident in the area’s signage. The gorge begins in Mesavlia and stretches 5km to Deliana. A dirt road that runs alongside the riverbed makes the walk quite straightforward, taking approximately an hour. Originating from Mount Anavos, the river flows through the Mesavlia – Deliana Gorge, then the Roka Gorge, before finally reaching Nopigia beach.
The gorge is renowned for its lush vegetation, which is most vibrant in spring when water is plentiful. Not far from Mesavlia, you’ll find the cavernous chapel of Saint Paraskevi (Agia Paraskevi), which hosts an annual feast. Closer to Deliana, you’ll come across the chapel of Saint Photios (Agios Fotios).
The quickest way to reach the gorge from Chania is via Deliana, while the fastest route from Paleochora is through Mesavlia. From Deliana, you can hike (uphill) to Mesavlia and back, unless you’ve arranged for a pick-up from Mesavlia (2 hours round trip). Deliana and the nearby village of Panethimos offer several quaint, traditional taverns. Also worth a visit is the ruined monastery of Theotokos in the neighbouring village of Gra Kera.
The Gorge Chalase, also known as Porofarago, begins close to the Sassalos village and concludes just before reaching the Makronas village, after a four-hour journey through lush vegetation. The gorge is fed by two primary streams that converge south of Sassalos; the Mylonofarago ravine that originates from the Mylones village, and the Kalogirou stream.
Navigating through the gorge can be quite challenging due to a significant landslide (referred to as ‘chalase’ in the Cretan dialect) at a certain point, and the absence of a well-defined path. Near Malathyros, approximately halfway through the route, the trail transitions into a dirt road that follows the riverbed all the way to Makronas. Just before reaching Makronas, we come across a historical site where, on August 28, 1944, German forces executed 62 civilian men from Malathyros as retribution for the activities of local guerrilla groups. The German atrocities committed during this time have yet to be brought to justice.
The gorge of Topolia (Topoliano) is located in west Crete and it runs along the road leading to Elafonissi via Elos. The canyon actually starts near the village Strovles at an altitude of 450m, and exits near the village Topolia, at an altitude of 150m. However, the narrowest and most impressive hiking part of the gorge is located between Katsomatados and Topolia, where the side rocks are very high and steep. The canyon is crossed by the River Tyflos, which originates from Mount Dikeos. At the beginning of the narrow part, it is worth visiting the Cave of Agia Sofia, located just above the main road.
The canyon and the wider area host rare and endemic plants of Crete, while the Cave of St. Sophia houses a species of cave spider that lives only there (Pholcus creticus). According to local traditions, Topolia Gorge hosted fairies and the Minoan goddess Vritomartis. Here, the legendary Talos used to stop and enjoy the divine music of the fairies. When Talos arrived at the place, rested inside a big cave, drank water and fell asleep. Then, the fairies and elves of the river arrived, singing and dancing.
Located about 35km southwest of Chania city, on the northern slopes of Mount Apopigadi, Palea Roumata is a verdant area. This region is made up of 13 neighborhoods, all part of the same village (Palea Roumata), spread across the slopes. Near the small settlement of Lidiana, the Vavouledo and Trachinos canyons converge, providing an ideal circular route with water until late spring.
The Trahinos Gorge, starting near the Trahinos hamlet, is fairly short but stands as one of Crete’s greenest gorges. Its walls are so narrow that they’re almost unnoticeable from above. The gorge is filled with dense vegetation, often casting shadows over the riverbed. Similar to Vavouledo, the Trahinos Gorge also features a hiking trail.
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