Agia Eirini Gorge

Agia Irini gorge (Greek "Φαράγγι Αγίας Ειρήνης") is located in north-west Crete, in Lefka Ori. The gorge starts near the village of Agia Irini and it ends near the village of Sougia. It's 8 km long and 45-500 metres deep, in a forested area with steep mountain cliffs, and is easy to walk. In 1866, 1,000 women and children escaped from the Turks through this gorge.

The walk from Agia Irini 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 Irini is less spectacular than the gorge of Samaria it is far less crowded and very beautiful.