~ Agia Irini Gorge ~
Φαράγγι Αγίας Ειρήνης

The gorge is located 43 kms from Chania town and can be easily reached by local bus.

The gorge starts at the village of Agia Irini in Selinou and is 7 km long. The walk of 12 kms ends at Sougia, a blissful small coastal village on the southern side of Crete. This walk is worth it, just to arrive at Sougia, one of the most cute villages in Crete.

Rocks and boulders all around and the steep sides of the mountains dwarf the people walking along the rocky river bed. The plane trees, cyprus pines and maple trees contrast with the pink flowers of the oleanders.

If it has rained the day or so before, be careful as you may need to walk through water to get through Agia Irini Gorge.

Depending on which time of year you walk here, it is a very peaceful walk, as there are no crowds. Be sure to take plenty of water. There is a café at the start of the walk and half way along.

The rich fauna of the area to keep an eye out for include the threatened Bearded Vulture, the European Kestrel, the Partridge, the Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Griffin Vulture, doves and martins. Mammals include shrews, hedgehogs, weasels, martens and badgers, mice and bats.

The colourful flora of Crete can be seen in Agia Irini Gorge including trachea pine, Mediterranean cyprus, plane tree, kermes oak and carob tree. There are also chasteberry and mastic shrubs, myrtles, strawberry trees and ebony trees, thyme, sage, lavender and and the wonderful healing herb known as Dictamo (Origanum dictamnus).

The wonderful day can expand in the afternoon when you arrive in Sougia. The Libyan sea stretches out in front, you can sit on the beach in the little cove and relax, maybe eat at a seaside taverna. Stay a while and stay peaceful at Sougia.

From Sougia it is a shorter walk to the ancient site of Lissos. This is the location of a temple of Asclepius, who was a healer of the ancient Greek world. Healers built the famous healing sanctuary of Asclepius in Kos and the sanctuary at Epidaurus. Some stories say he was a God. He taught Hippocrates, who is now known as the father of medicine, hence the Hippocratic oath. Lissos has been excavated and many artefacts retreived, showing the trading power of the Cretans during the 3rd century BC.

It is possible to take the boat from Sougia to Paleohora in the afternoon, however it is very nice to stay in Sougia and enjoy the pretty pebble beach and crisp clear waters.