Vorizia Gorge

The gorge of Vorizia, located on the south side of the Psiloritis mountain range, in central Crete offers one of the most interesting geological formations and stunning landscapes on the island. The imposing rugged slopes at its southern side, create an impressive setting, and it is relatively easy to cross.

The landscape is rich in vegetation, and wild berries and herbs spread their aroma. To the north of the gorge you will find the famous plateau of Nida and on its western slope below the “Black Peak” is the cave of Kamares, where the famous Kamara vessels of the Minoan period were found. The route from Vorizia to the point where the gorge bed divides has a length of 2.5 km while the altitude difference from the entrance of the gorge to this point is 520 meters.

Vorizia is a historical village that was destroyed during World War II. There is now a small museum and some exquisite frescoes in the restored church of the monastery that is open to visitors. There are more gorges in the area to explore, including the gorge of Zoniana on the north side, Platania gorge to the west, and Agios Charalambos gorge to the east. Nearby you will also find the gorge of Rouvas, named after the village of Rouvas, nestled between Zaros and Gergeri. It has also given its name to the nearby forest of Rouvas, a very important ecosystem, with holly trees, pine, plane and cypresses on the south-eastern side of the Psiloritis range, the highest mountain on the island. There are plenty of hiking trails in the area that belong to the E4 European long-distance trail that visitors can explore. While in the area, you may also wish to visit the Ideon Andron. This mythical cave is one possible location where according to Greek mythology, Zeus was born.

Altogether, it takes about 4 hours to descend to the village of Vorizia, and the track is relatively well sign posted even though some parts can be challenging. Appropriate footwear and an adequate water supply is a must since there is no drinkable water inside the gorge.