Crete's Gorges: An Adventurer's Paradise of Hiking, Climbing, and Swimming

We went on a half-day trip to Sarakina Gorge near the small village of Mithi. We set off for the gorge in the morning in our hire car. The amount of water in the gorge varies depending on the month of the year. Fortunately for us, it was neither dry nor too flooded. The first wet patches appear after just a few metres and your shoes get wet. It is still advisable to wear shoes as you have to climb a lot and it is slippery. We walked through the gorge, climbed stairs and scrambled up rocks. We were regularly rewarded with small waterfalls and pools where we could swim. After a leisurely 2 hours and 1.5 kilometres, we reached the upper end of the gorge and walked around the outside back to our car. This walk past olive groves was another highlight. On the way back, we kept our eyes peeled and stopped at a nice little beach restaurant

After changing hotels to see the other side of Crete, we went on a full-day excursion to the famous Samaria Gorge. It's a good idea to go to a travel agency and book a tour, just have a look in Chania, there are plenty. Yes, the whole thing is unfortunately a bit touristy but still recommended. We were picked up early in the morning by bus and first stopped at a restaurant for breakfast. After many more hairpin bends uphill, we arrived. In contrast to the Sarakina Gorge, we now had to hike downhill.  We passed rock formations, a chapel, a ruined village and many streams. It was a bit crowded at times, but still breathtakingly beautiful. After a good 5 hours we arrived in a small village and stopped for a typical Greek meal. After another hour's wait, we were picked up by boat and then taken back to the hotel by bus. 

At Richtis gorge we started at the interior and walked about 1,5 hours down to a 20m waterfall. (You can also start from a beach and walk up.) At the waterfall we went swimming and had a break. After that we hiked the same way up again.