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The Trypiti Gorge, nestled in the Asterousia mountain range, lies south of Vassiliki village and channels water from the valley east of Miamou village through the Agiosavvitis river. Stretching over 4 km, the gorge ends in a stunning pebble beach named Tripiti. A dirt road, running along the eastern side of the gorge, provides access to the beach, following several kilometers before reaching the riverbed at the sea’s edge.
The gorge narrows near Saint Paraskevi church, situated at an elevation of 655m. The initial section of the gorge houses steep waterfalls, making it inaccessible without technical expertise and canyoneering equipment. The western side, in particular, is incredibly steep and dangerous. The Prophet Elijah church is a prominent feature at Katsakne, the peak of the western slopes. This church can be accessed via another dirt road that begins about half a kilometer before the gorge’s entrance.
Midway through the gorge, close to the dirt road, lies the Saint Savas church, surrounded by wild olive trees. The unique feature of this woodland is its wild, uncultivated olive trees, offering a glimpse into the natural habitat of these trees. The gorge is also home to an array of wildlife and bird species.
As you continue towards the sea, the road merges with the ravine and soon leads to the most picturesque part of the gorge: the narrow canyon, also known as Steno Faragi. Here, the sides of the gorge come so close together that they appear to touch. A road, just wide enough for a car, passes through this narrow gap. At the end of this narrow section, next to the beach, you’ll find the Panagia Tripiti church, built inside a cave, that celebrates its feast on September 1st.
The Trypiti Gorge is known by various other names, including Saint Savas Gorge, Katsakne, and Lavri. On the eastern side’s Papouri hill, archaeologists have uncovered a significant Preminoan settlement. Additionally, vaulted graves have been discovered at the Kalokambos location.
Get directions to Tripiti Gorge – Heraklion
Find below the list of things to do near Tripiti Gorge – Heraklion:
Take and airconditioned bus trip through South Crete on this day trip with pickup from Heraklion. Travel back in time as you explore Cretan history at the Gortys archeological site and have plenty of free time to soak up the vibes of at the colorful, seaside town of Matala.
Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation in selected locations on Crete in the morning. Drive for 1.5 hours to the Gortys archeological site. Purchase a ticket to the site to uncover sights from 5000 years of Cretan history.
Take a short drive to Matala and spend 4.5 hours of free time where you can go swimming, sunbathe at the beach, purchase a ticket to the local caves or have lunch at a charming seaside café.
Return to your accommodation in Crete at the end of your free time in Matala.
A special excursion to the South of the island, starting our exploration with a visit to the emblematic lake of incomparable beauty in Zaros in a highly impressive landscape in central Crete! Then driving among the biggest valley of Crete, Messara, where we drive through pre-Minoan, Minoan, ancient Greek, and Roman ruins. We continue to the gorge of Trypiti through the biggest valley of Crete, this of Messara where our descent inside the gorge and through huge vertical rocks ends at the well hidden and exotic beach of Trypiti. Landscape of incomparable natural beauty rich in flora and fauna. Arrival at the beach and time for swim in its crystal clear waters. Quiet beach for moments of relaxation just before our lunch with authentic Cretan food in the center of the wild olive tree forest in the canyon of St. Savvas. Satisfying experiences and good traditional food, we return to your hotel with the best memories !
Our Cretan cooking class is a 100% hands-on experience, perfect for those eager to explore and indulge in the flavors of Cretan gastronomy. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, what truly matters is your open heart and eagerness to embrace the warmth of Cretan culture, becoming a cherished part of our family along the way!”
Mama Stella, my wonderful mum, loves to share her culinary knowledge and techniques with you! We will cook a 4-course meal, by providing all you need, from aprons to fresh, farm-sourced ingredients ensuring a 100% hands-on cooking experience! Local homemade refreshments and water will also be provided. After your cooking adventure, revel in the joy of your creations accompanied by local Cretan wine. Leftovers are carefully packed for you to take along.
Immerse yourself in this unique, 3.5 to 4-hour experience at our olive oil farm. Cooking unfolds in an outdoor space beneath a beautiful wooden roof, surrounded by olive trees on one side and a lush garden on the other. Engage your senses—smell, taste, and feel our culture through a one-of-a-kind cooking adventure. Join us, cook with passion, and savor the moments!”
Born and raised in Crete, we would love to guide you through our way of life and explore the rural aspects of Crete!
We carefully designed this tour for those who wish to see Crete through the eyes of a local family! The journey begins with an engaging walking tour in our family’s olive groves and greenhouses. Discover the secrets of olive cultivation, the meticulous process of harvesting, and the art of producing the finest extra virgin olive oil.
Explore how locals cultivate greenhouses, learn about the variety of vegetables and fruits grown, and understand why these local products hold significance not only for local markets but also for the metropolitan markets of Greece. We are eager to share this information and more with you!
The walking tour concludes in an outdoor space beneath a beautiful wooden roof, surrounded by olive trees on one side and a lush garden on the other. There, we’ll have the pleasure of meeting my lovely mother, Mama Stela, and savoring authentic Cretan food prepared by her! Of course, the Cretan spirit, Raki, is an integral part of our meal! You might even get the chance to meet more members of my family.
A standout moment during the food tour is witnessing my mom demonstrate the crafting of Cretan cheese, followed by the delightful experience of tasting it!
The entire event will last approximately 2.5 hours. Our sincere desire is for you to become a part of our world and immerse yourself in the authentic way of Cretan living!
Find below the list of hotels near Tripiti Gorge – Heraklion:
Surrounded by olive trees, in Vasiliki Village, the stone-built Amazing Stone Villa offers self-catering accommodation with free WiFi access and views over the lush surroundings. Guests will find traditional cafes, a mini market, a pharmacy and a gas station within a short drive.
Featuring vintage furniture and decoration, all units come with a fully equipped kitchen, a living area and a bathroom with shower. Facilities include a TV, an oven, a fridge, and a stovetop. A bottle of olive oil and a bottle of local wine , produced by the owners are offered upon arrival.
All bedrooms have air conditioning.
The property offers a large shared courtyard with flowers , BBQ and outdoor furniture.
The isolated sandy beach of Tripiti is 8 km from Amazing Stone Villa, while Matala is 25 km away. Heraklio Town is 41 km from the accommodation and Agia Galini is 30 km away. Heraklion International Airport is at a distance of 42 km.
from
€75
/night
Celine Private Residences features mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Léntas, less than 1 km from Lenta Beach.
The villa provides guests with a terrace, sea views, a seating area, satellite flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and a private bathroom with shower and bathrobes. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also provided, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Guests can enjoy the infinity pool and garden at Celine Private Residences.
Phaistos is 38 km from the accommodation, while Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 39 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 75 km from Celine Private Residences.
Studios Anna Maria has sea views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Kapetanianá, 100 metres from Paralia Agios Ioannis.
All units are air-conditioned and some of them feature a seating area with a flat-screen TV, and a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area. Some units have a terrace and/or a balcony with mountain or inner courtyard views.
Phaistos is 42 km from the apartment, while Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 43 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 72 km from Studios Anna Maria.
from
€55
/night
Panorama Luxury Apartment is a beachfront property located in Léntas, a few steps from Lenta Beach and 39 km from Phaistos. It features mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The apartment is equipped with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 39 km from the apartment. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 75 km from Panorama Luxury Apartment.
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony, Villa Nostalgia Lentas No3 is located in Léntas. It features a garden, a terrace, sea views and free WiFithroughout the property.
Lenta Beach is 90 metres from the apartment, while Phaistos is 39 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 75 km from Villa Nostalgia Lentas No3.
Located in Léntas in the Crete region with Lenta Beach nearby, Marina apartments provides accommodation with free private parking.
Each unit comes with a terrace offering sea views, a flat-screen TV, a well-fitted kitchen and a private bathroom with bath and a hair dryer. A balcony with mountain views is offered in each unit.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Phaistos is 31 km from the villa, while Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 31 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 67 km from Marina apartments.
from
€85
/night
The Trafoulas Gorge, located in the Asterousia Range, begins southeast of Krotos village and concludes at the Psili Ammos beach on the southern coast of the Cretan Sea. The majority of trekkers only explore a small portion of the gorge, typically from where they park their vehicle to the beach, despite the gorge’s origin being at a greater altitude. Even this limited section of the gorge is quite striking, characterized by narrow walls and towering rocks. According to local lore, the most narrow section of the gorge is referred to as the Pidimatou Gorge, or Jumping Gorge, given that a goat could feasibly leap from one side to the other.
The Koumos Gorge, nestled in the Kapetaniana region, concludes near the coastal village of Agios Ioannis, amidst a landscape abundant with pine trees. This relatively undiscovered gorge requires technical equipment for access, making it exclusively passable for canyoning experts. Typically, the gorge remains dry, but intense rainfalls transform it into a spectacle of stunning waterfalls. The tallest waterfall reaches a height of 60m, accompanied by approximately 10 smaller cascades.
The Goula Gorge, a rugged canyon nestled in the Asterousia Range, begins just south of the village of Kapetaniana and concludes at the coastal settlement of Agios Ioannis. Like its counterparts in the area, such as Flomias, Salamiano, Koumos, Gerakia, and Valahas, it is untraversable without the correct canyoneering gear. Nonetheless, there is a hiking trail on the eastern side of the gorge that takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.
Entry to the gorge is via Kapetaniana, with the closest access point being the telephone antenna en route to Agios Ioannis. The gorge boasts 18 rappels, the tallest of which is 55m, and others measuring 25m, 15m, 13m, and smaller. The gorge spans roughly 1700m in length and a team of five would require around 4 and a half to 5 hours to traverse it.
The gorge’s beauty lies in its wild and haunting rocky landscape, caves, and rock shelters. The primary vegetation is pine trees. Although it is generally dry, the name “Goula” translates to “spring” in the local Cretan dialect. True to its name, Goula is home to the area’s main spring, which provides for the water needs of the Agios Ioannis settlement.
The Koudoumas or Kofinas gorge starts at an elevation of 1000m near the base of Kofinas, the tallest peak of the Asterousia Range, and concludes at the Koudoumas Monastery beach. Its initial segment is a technical gorge of exceptional beauty, locally known as Katarraktis (Waterfall) or Keadas (Kenad). The total descents in the gorge leading to Koudoumas monastery are 18, with the highest reaching 38m. The upper section is only accessible with canyoning gear and was first explored in 2004 by Kostas Psarakis and Manolis Kambourakis, and bolted in 2017 by the Asterusia Adventure Team (Manos Petrakis, George Makrygiannakis, Nikos Foukakis, Savvas Paragmaian, Giannis Aggelis, Christina Aggelidou, Savvas Eftychis, and Dimitris Karatarakis).
It is possible to descend the gorge without technical equipment by navigating around the Katarraktis section. However, caution is required due to the area’s steep slopes, unstable ground, and lack of marked trails, which can strain the knees.
As you descend, the initial vegetation is predominantly cypress and oak trees, but as you near sea level, pine trees become more prevalent.
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