Spiliotissa Gorge
The Spiliotissa gorge, situated approximately 24km to the south of Heraklion, is a verdant chasm that originates from the Houdetsi village, passes through Agios Vasilios, and terminates in the Peza valley, where its waters feed into the Kounaviano gorge. The most picturesque section of the gorge is the 1.5km stretch between Houdetsi and Agios Vasilios. Starting from Houdetsi, where parking is available in the village, a well-kept trail leads down to Agios Vasilios, meandering through dense foliage and groves of orange and olive trees, irrigated by the stream.
At the beginning of the path, two Byzantine churches, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Nicholas, are encountered, along with two former grain mills. After approximately 500m, the historic Sinai Monastery of Panagia Spiliotissa can be found, which lends its name to the gorge. A quick exploration of the small monastery with its cave-like church is followed by a continued journey into the verdant heart of the canyon, towards Agios Vasilios. A beautiful fountain and the Byzantine church of Saint John are located just outside the monastery.
Location
Spiliotissa Gorge is located at Spiliotissa 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 is Spiliotissa Gorge?
Spiliotissa Gorge is a hiking gorge located in the region of Heraklion.
What type of gorge is Spiliotissa Gorge?
Spiliotissa Gorge is a hiking gorge.
Is there water in Spiliotissa Gorge?
Yes, there is water in Spiliotissa Gorge until the spring.
How accessible is Spiliotissa Gorge?
Spiliotissa Gorge is accessible via a paved road.
What is the length of Spiliotissa Gorge?
Spiliotissa Gorge is 1 km long.
What is the difficulty level of Spiliotissa Gorge?
Spiliotissa Gorge has a difficulty level of 1 out of 10.
How long does it take to hike Spiliotissa Gorge?
It takes approximately 0.5 hours to hike Spiliotissa Gorge.
What is the altitude difference in Spiliotissa Gorge?
The altitude difference in Spiliotissa Gorge is 50.
