Agia Eirini Gorge

Agia Eirini Gorge

Agia Eirini Gorge (Greek Φαράγγι Αγίας Ειρήνης) is located in the south-west of the island of Crete, Greece, in Lefka Ori. The gorge starts near the village of Agia Eirini and it ends near the village of Sougia, on the south coast. It is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) long and 45–500 metres (148–1,640 ft) deep, in a forested area with steep mountain cliffs, and is easy to walk. In 1866, 1,000 women and children escaped from the Ottomans through this gorge.

The walk from Agia Eirini to Sougia takes a total of 4 hours and can be done throughout the year, provided that it hasn't rained in the preceding days. The path in the gorge was improved considerably a few years ago and is, for the most, without difficulties and easy to follow with plenty of shade. There are several resting places where you can also get water.

Although the gorge of Agia Eirini is less spectacular than the gorge of Samariá, it is far less crowded and very beautiful.

Coordinates: 35°17′58″N 23°50′05″E / 35.2995°N 23.8346°E