Τετάρτη 12 Δεκεμβρίου 2012

Crete could be characterized as the land of Gorges!!

There are countless gorges and ravines in Crete. A few of them are really famous, like Kourtaliotiko and Kotsifou Gorge

The route to Plakias is magical as whichever of the two you take, you will pass through either the Kourtaliotiko Gorge or the Kotsifou Gorge  (sights)

Kourtaliotis Gorge

The Gorge of Kourtaliotis is located 22km south of Rethymno and it is one of the most spectacular natural attractions of Rethymnon. It starts at the slopes of the mountains Kouroupa (984 m) and Ksiros (904 m), a little after the village Koksare, it follows river Kourtaliotis and ends up at the beach of Limni Preveli.

The strong winds make the steep rocky walls whistle, and sweep small stones that tumble and crackle. This noise gave the name "kourtaliotiko" (=crackling) to the gorge.
  Approximately half way through the gorge and on the left-hand side of the road from Koxare to Asomatos are steps, which lead down to the bottom of the gorge and to the chapel of Aghios Nikolaos. 

 


A little before the exit of the gorge is a small waterfall, about 40 m high. The water comes out of five points and flows all year around.

This area in southwest of Crete has excellent biological and ecological value and it is very important for the conservation of endangered birds of prey like vulture, since it hosts one of the last breeding pairs in the Balkans.

 Kotsifou Gorge

 









 The Gorge of Kotsifou begins at the village of Kannevos and ends at the village of Plakias. Just 10m wide at the entrance, the beginning of this gorge is very narrow, however, eventually the gorge widens out to 600m. It is 1,800m long in total and its almost perpendicular walls reach a height of 600 m. A small chapel built into a rocky cavity is situated in the gorge.