Hiking through the Imbros Gorge, Crete

On the island of Crete, we have a lot of gorges with different levels of difficulty and distances. We would like to give you the experience to walk through a gorge with a low/middle level of difficulty into the White mountains. Walking distance 7 km. and walking time depending on you is approximately 2.5/3 hours.

O8.00 Pick up from accommodation. The minibus will take you from your accommodation. Traveling time to the village Imbros will be about 1.5 hours. De first half-hour on the highway –there is no other road- and then we are slowly climbing into the mountains through the magical beauty of the mountain landscape. We can make a photo stop at the valley of Askifou where you have a perfect view all over the area. After another 20 min. we will arrive in the village of Imbros which is situated 700 m. from sea level. At the entrance of the gorge, there is the possibility to drink a coffee and use the bathroom.

09.30 Start hiking. Walking distance 7 km. and walking time depending on you is approximately 2.5/3 hours. We are descending on the walking path at de the first km. we mostly walk in the shadow. Halfway we meet a kind of kiosk, there we find the safety guard, and it is also a nice resting place. The second half of the gorge is sunnier. At the exit of the gorge, the driver will be waiting on the road. Again, possibility to eat/drink something at a restaurant.

13.20 Arrival at Francokastello for swimming. Then we go for a 15 min. bus trip to the village of Francokastello at the seaside, where you can take a refreshing dive into the Libyan sea. The return route will be half-hour longer because we will drive up to 700 m. again around the gorge. This route is one of the most beautiful in West Crete. A curvy road is going up like a snake with an unbelievably nice landscape view! We will make a photo stop at the point where you can look straight into the gorge you walked in the morning time. After this stop, we will return to your accommodation.