TRIP REPORT PHOTOS
This is the turnoff for Agia Irini Gorge. The main road (right side) continues downhill to the south as it winds toward the village of Sougia:
This map by the road gives an overview of Agia Irini Gorge and shows how far inland it is. The map also shows the two main rest areas during the hike:
Being that the gorge hikes in southwestern Crete are set up for tourists, it's not surprising that many of them (such as this one) have cafes at the beginning and end points. We supported the locals by ordering drinks and food at several of them:
As the hike begins on pavement, the first view of Agia Irini Gorge can be seen over the tops of the trees:
In 2014, the very low cost of entering Agia Irini Gorge was 2 euros. However, as we were entering in the late afternoon, entrance was free since the staff had gone home for the day:
Past the entrance station, the path became dirt and the high walls of the gorge were just ahead:
This was the first of several water filling stations. I've read online that these do not always have flowing water, so it's better to pack enough for the entire hike:
Steep drops along the path are protected by wooden handrails:
As we finally got into the gorge, we found ourselves surrounded by a forest of trees:
A majestic peak rising up above the canyon:
An easy walking path heading down canyon:
The next two pictures show typical scenery in Agia Irini Gorge -- high walls rising above the forest:
Areas of rockslides are frequent in the canyon. In fact, this canyon is not recommended for hiking after recent rains due to rockfall hazards:
A dramatic outcropping of rock above the canyon:
Zooming in on the colorful patterns displayed on the outcropping:
Trees growing in abundance on the canyon floor, rocky hillsides, and canyon rim up high:
Most of the hiking is downhill when starting from the top. But occasionally we would have a steep uphill section which was usually bypassing a difficult section of canyon:
Notice how high the trail has now brought us above Agia Irini Gorge:
Looking down into the gorge from above. Check out the massive boulders in the wash:
The trail stayed up high for a while and allowed us to take in the magnificent wilderness scenery:
Passing through another rockslide area which must have wiped out any trees in its path:
The next two pictures show the steep descent back down into the gorge:
Looking back up canyon at the area which we bypassed. Looking at this, I guess it was a good thing that the bypass trail was built:
More pretty patterns and curves on the canyon wall:
Peaceful gorge walking with no people around anywhere. Some people even favor doing this hike instead of Samaria Gorge due to the quiet solitude which can be enjoyed here:
At the 2km mark, we came to this rest stop. It was empty but we kept on hiking:
Notice the sheer height of the wall rising above the canyon floor:
Approaching a dramatic bend in the gorge:
This is a plane tree with exposed roots, which seems to have happened because of erosion to the stream bank:
Check out this natural mini-slot and cave which cuts into the canyon wall:
Earlier we were up high on the left (east) side of the gorge. Now we were hiking up high on the right (west) side:
Some of the trees have significant height, such as the one seen in the center:
The next three pictures showcase the incredible variety of trees on display within the gorge:
Gary hiking along the Agia Irini Gorge trail with some colorful rock high up on the left side:
An amazing spot in the canyon where the walls narrow down, framed by a rockslide of large boulders:
I took my only picture in Agia Irini Gorge at this scenic spot:
Another uphill portion which passes right underneath a high vertical wall:
This colorful orange rock seemed to be on display a lot through the middle canyon:
Looking up at a variety of colors and streaks created by water flow and erosion:
As you can see on the distant steep and mostly vertical hillside, trees will grow out of just about anywhere:
As was true on every day we hiked, we ran into several groups of Cretan goats in Agia Irini Gorge:
The scenery within the gorge takes place on a grand scale:
Occasionally, a small side canyon would cut into the main gorge:
This canyon wall has formed several unusual shapes including a circular cave:
The White Mountains (or Lefka Ori) are aptly named with so much white limestone visible everywhere:
More striking colors bleeding down the canyon wall:
Trees growing along the canyon rim above more exposed orange rock:
The gorge continued its pattern of curving a lot up ahead:
Late afternoon sunlight brightening up the gorge:
This is the narrowest spot in the entire gorge. It has been created by a massive boulder which has forced water to flow through this small passage:
Looking up the narrow passage from the opposite direction:
This huge boulder really dwarfed Gary as he passed by:
Gary hiking through the thick brush of some overhanging branches:
As you can tell, the lower canyon narrows down significantly with the high vertical walls coming much closer together:
Looking back at a breathtaking sharp turn in the gorge:
The next five pictures reveal some of the incredible shapes, caves, overhangs, and colors as we progressed through the lower gorge:
It was great to save the best and most dramatic scenery for the end. Along with the fact that downhill hiking is easier, that's another reason to hike from north to south:
Gary seen as we neared the end of the canyon. Three challenging hikes in three days. Well done:
Quite abruptly, the canyon walls dropped in height and we were hiking through a wash surrounded by rolling hills:
Looking back and zooming in on one of the turns in Agia Irini Gorge:
The Oasis Taverna is a nice place to rest up and enjoy some refreshments after a hot hike:
For us, it was a cold pint of Mythos while relaxing under a terrace of grapevines:
After that, we returned to Sougia and took Stefan down to play by the sea:
Stefan throwing rocks into the Libyan Sea:
The next day, I took these two pictures showing the beautiful village of Sougia as seen from a short distance out in the Libyan Sea. Sougia was our home for two nights on Crete and it was one of our favorite villages:
