Kourtaliotiko Gorge
Kourtaliotiko Gorge
4.5
About
Go hiking along the Kourtaliotiko Gorge to take in the best of Crete’s natural beauty. The hike through the canyon takes you to see a host of picturesque waterfalls, delicate turquoise pools, and rocky scenery. It ends at the beautiful beach of Preveli, where you can relax and recharge amongst the native palm trees. Try to spot a Lammergeier bird, a beautiful type of bearded vulture that roost in the area. Also, listen out for the gorge’s intriguing “clap” sounds during your journey, which are the result of wind rushing through the gorge’s high caves. – Tripadvisor
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  • Deanosaur89
    Edmonton, Canada8,617 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Scenic Gorge
    We rented a car to drive around Crete and check out some sites on other parts of the island and did a detour to go check out this gorge and we are glad we did. It is unlike anything we've seen before and very impressive. We set the GPS to the gorge and the road is very narrow in some parts but there is an area to pull out that can fit a few cars if you want to get out and do a quick hike. We also stopped in another area of the gorge where it was safe to do so to get out for a break and take a few photos. There are two routes down to the bottom and we chose the path down to a small church, bridge and waterfall area. The hike down isn't bad at about 200 steps down into the gorge itself. If you take the other path down you can get closer to the river and there are some pools of water that are safe to go into. There are animals in the gorge like goats and vultures that hang around. We also saw quite a few pigeons and doves near the waterfall we went to. The gorge is about an hour and a half drive from Heraklion and we made it as part of a day trip drive outside of the city to see the Knossos Palace, beaches to the south central of Crete and Rethymno. The gorge was a highlight for our family during our visit to Crete. If you're planning to come here make sure you bring good shoes, water and snacks. We appreciated having our own car so we could be in control of our time at the gorge but we'd recommend getting a small car that has lots of power to help with the mountains of Crete and be comfortable with the narrow and winding roads. The gorge can get windy so you may want to consider dressing in layers in case you get cold but once you start moving you'll warm up.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 March 2024
  • TenaciousHobden
    Eastbourne, United Kingdom1,034 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    St-unning!
    Wow! Such a stunning location. Not the easiest to get to (lots of walking and some tricky trails) and some killer roads and parking but it was worthwhile. If you are brave a short swim rewards you with some breathtaking experiences. Top tip - go early. We got there around 930am and we almost had the whole place to ourselves !
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 1 June 2024
  • Shelly P
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The scenery is breathtaking as you walk a well made path down to beautiful waterfalls, swimming in crystal clear water.
    We enjoyed the drive from Chania, most of it along the beautiful coast and parked in a lot near the entrance. The path you walk on is well made and easy to follow. Views are striking and then you start seeing waterfalls. We loved swimming in the crystal clear water, climbing over rocks to reach new pools and falls. I had read. The water was unbearably cold, but in June I would call it brisk and refreshing. This was a must do experience for Crete and one we will always remember.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 June 2024
  • John S
    Chester, United Kingdom59 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gorge is well worth visiting.
    Worth getting here early. I arrived at 0930, parking in the roadside lay-bys was almost full and also to avoid the many other visitors. Apple/Google maps takes you to exactly the right spot. Steps down to the gorge (lots of them!) are through an arch in the wall. At the fork, turn left to see the chapel and gorge above the waterfall. Left fork takes you to below the waterfall. Water shoes are handy in the water which is really cold. Sandals or trainers are fine on the steps. Do bear in mind that the local council does monitor the roadside parking and does issue tickets to those who don’t park properly in the lay-bys. I’d recommend stopping here on the way to the Preveli monastery and the. Preveli beach.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 13 August 2024
  • Chris T
    Warrington, United Kingdom350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An effort worth making
    We visited the Gorge as a family in August. It’s easy to find and if you get there early parking is pretty easy (and free). This is not an organised tourist attraction. It’s a relatively rugged trek down and back out. A level of fitness is required. It’s worth it though. When you’re at the bottom there’s a tiny ladder to climb down. There were large queues forming as it’s the only way in and out. The water is breathtakingly cold (literally) and requires some swimming ability if you want to see the waterfall. Definitely worth the effort. The kids (20 & 14) both listed this as the highlight of our trip to Crete.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 1 September 2024
  • Shanna v
    Tilburg, The Netherlands5 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing
    We were there around 10 in the morning and it was already quite busy. Luckily there's enough parking space a few minutes up ahead. The trip was doable for someone unfit like me. The route is mostly stone stairs with some loose rocks and uneven steps. The trip is most definitely worth it. The water is soo cold, but when I got used to it I didn't want to get out! Some people got scared of the cold water and didn't go in the waterfall. Please don't let the cold scare you off, and just go in the water one step at a time. It'll be worth it! After we went into the waterfall twice we chilled on some big rocks with our toes in the water and enjoyed the views and sounds of the water.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Mike A
Antwerp, Belgium13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Very nice if you can walk the right part. Start at the parking lot near the Ekklisia Agia Kiriaki church. There you enter the gorge and you can walk over the rocks for a while. It is best to do the last part in water shoes.
You can get out near Church Of Saint Nicholas The Kourtaliotiko and there is a lake where you can swim and view the waterfall. It's a short distance due to the cold water. In my opinion, a very nice gorge to walk and it only takes a maximum of 2 to 3 hours. So it can be easily combined with one of the beautiful beaches in the area.
Google
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PeacockMr
Hesse, Germany283 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
One thing you have to say at the very beginning: The gorge is very scenic. Since we had already seen the amount of cars the days before that were not always parked quite legally at the top of the road, we got up early in the morning and were in the gorge at 8am. Apart from the tons of garbage left by the previous visitors, the gorge is scenically very beautiful. I suspect that after noon you have to come to terms with the crowds somehow.
Automatically translated
Written 6 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John S
Chester, UK59 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
Worth getting here early. I arrived at 0930, parking in the roadside lay-bys was almost full and also to avoid the many other visitors. Apple/Google maps takes you to exactly the right spot. Steps down to the gorge (lots of them!) are through an arch in the wall. At the fork, turn left to see the chapel and gorge above the waterfall. Left fork takes you to below the waterfall. Water shoes are handy in the water which is really cold. Sandals or trainers are fine on the steps. Do bear in mind that the local council does monitor the roadside parking and does issue tickets to those who don’t park properly in the lay-bys. I’d recommend stopping here on the way to the Preveli monastery and the. Preveli beach.
Written 13 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rich
United Kingdom6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Family
I visited this beautiful gorge with my teenage son 17 and my brother 50 in Oct 24. We travelled by car and managed to park about 200 metres from the entrance to the gorge stairs. Parking is easy and free, there is a closer car park which has an attendant to help people park properly and a small mobile shop selling drinks.

As you enter the stairs you see the stunning scenery as you make your way down a steep slope. It’s not for little kids as there are no barriers to protect them from falling and definitely lwear trainers. As you descend you come the path that splits left and right. Stick to the right. At the bottom there is a ladder and then a rocky area to get to the water.

We left our bag here as forgot to bring a waterproof one. As you enter the water it gets deeper so you have to swim about 10metres to see the waterfall where it gets shallower again, It’s very cold but you have come all that way so just get on with it!! Ha.

You will then see this amazing waterfall, it’s well worth the effort and made some lovely memories.

I went back to get my phone which I held above my head whilst swimming to take some photos but bring a waterproof case if you need to take your valuables or leave them in the car.
Written 6 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Willemijn v
Rotterdam, The Netherlands177 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Family
It takes some time to find where on the road in the gorge you need to be for the walk. We parked in the large parking lot (on the hill) past the first two small parking spaces directly on the road. Then there is a clearly marked gravel path to the route for the gorge and waterfall. We did not do the left route. The judge does. You go down the stairs and at the bottom on the far left you will come across a staircase that takes you 1.5m down. You walk over some rocks and arrive at the first (small) waterfall. Go through the water, swim the 10 meters through the ice-cold water, because then you will come to a breathtakingly beautiful gorge. My skeptical 'tall' (husband) was sold after swimming. Unfortunately, I was unable to upload the photo of that fantastic part after swimming. So find out for yourself!
Google
Written 4 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sandra20052015
Lokeren, Belgium243 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
Lots of pictures taken. ! Must do. Also in the freezing water please go, but prepare yourself at the small waterfall for the cold. Tip, using waterproof phone, shoes are also ideal. Walking down is cool in the heat, we were there around 11 am, later it became very busy. Up the steep stairs is much less. Nice that Plakia beach and Preveli is close by for a swim
Automatically translated
Written 29 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Morganne
Toulouse, France19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
Parking: there is ample parking and the possibility to park by the roadside.
Walking: there is a bit of walking but it is really very accessible, it is beautiful stone stairs.
Paths: at one point, 2 paths are available to you. Considering the distance between the two I advise you to really do both. One overlooks the top of the waterfall and a natural swimming pool and the other (right) over the canyon with water and waterfalls (very cool water temperature).
The setting is really beautiful despite the world there may be
Automatically translated
Written 9 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joe
Wolverhampton, UK13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
Excellent fresh water swim through the Gorge.
We got there early 9am, parked up by the food truck, made the walk down to the split in the path, take the right stairs down if you want to swim through the Gorge.
Carry on down until you reach the mental grid floor and wooden plank (with rope support). Then u will see the beautiful Gorge entrance. The walk is an easy one just have water, you will only spend an hour here, Definitely worth it
Written 8 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roro
Marseille, France191 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
Nice place to cool off a good shot, the water must be at 15 degrees max it stings but it is perfect with the heat of August
Free parking a little anarchic and disorganized
Small downhill hike of about twenty minutes
Bcp bcp of people in August (normal)
Nevertheless, cold water discourages many
Remember to take an airtight phone protector so you can take pictures once in the back of the throat
Beautiful waterfalls at the key
Automatically translated
Written 23 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jozef van Thom
Nuremberg, Germany26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
We came across this beautiful place rather accidentally on the way to Preveli Beach and then went there a few days later.
The way down from the car park is as usual on Crete at first relatively far and sunny, but it is absolutely worth it.
The gorge is not developed for tourism. There are neither booths, nor loungers or the very large crowds.
The entrance towards the waterfall is very shallow, if you want to get in, but you have to swim a bit. And the water is really cold.
But the sight that presents itself justifies every goose bump. Once you have ventured in and acclimatized a bit, the cooling is also quite pleasant.
Would do it again anytime!
Automatically translated
Written 15 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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KOURTALIOTIKO GORGE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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