Route: Agia Irini Gorge
Area: Crete
Date of walk: 22nd April 2026
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.5 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet (descent over 2,000 feet)
Weather: Sunny and warm
On the first day of our walking holiday on the Greek island of Crete, we decided to follow one of the many gorge walks which characterise the island. The classic walk is the Samaria Gorge, but we were aware that we were out of season (the gorge usually opens on 1st May). Also, it is a very busy route and hordes of other walkers would probably have spoiled the experience. So we were well content to plan a walk down the lesser known and quiet Agia Irini Gorge
The topography of Crete means that many of the walks on the island are linear, as was the case today. Consideration needs to be given as to how to get back to the start. In our case, we planned to take a taxi back from the Oasis Bar if open but, if not, to continue another 2 miles or so to the coastal village of Sougia and take a taxi back from there. A bus service is available later in the season
A signpost points the way to the Agia Irini Gorge and we followed an easy path, expecting to be charged two euros per person (cash) to enter into the gorge. The ticket kiosk was unmanned today, but I doubt if this will be the case later in the season. Navigation is a simple affair and no route description is needed. Red signs painted on the rocks indicate the best course to follow. Along the way we had to ford a stream on several occasions. Walking poles were a great help when hopping from rock to rock. The paths were very rough on occasions, especially when walking along the valley floor and progress, which had been quite fast at first, gradually slowed down as the terrain became steeper and rockier. There were no dangers nor any particularly hard sections
The scenery was spectacular, with massive limestone cliffs towering over us all the way. Eventually we arrived at the Oasis Bar, which was open, so we stopped here for refreshments. It had been quite tiring going and so, instead of continuing to Sougia, we asked the owner to call a taxi (there is no mobile phone signal here). It was a 15 mile journey back to the start involving countless hairpin bends and a fee of 35 euros.It had been a wonderful start to our time in Crete
Note that the route is shown on the map as 4.5 miles but I recorded a distance of about 7 miles. Mapping software tends to iron out the numerous twists and turns on a winding route such as this
Click on the icon below for the route map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk from the parking spaces next to the Taverna Porofarago, on the road to Sougia
We follow this sign on the other side of the road opposite the taverna. The gorge is spelt 'Irene' here, and on the maps is shown as 'Eirinis'
We follow an easy path towards the gorge. We were expecting to pay 2 euros per person but the kiosk was unmanned, possibly because we were early in the season
The stream on our left will be our constant companion, and we'll cross it numerous times during the course of the walk
The first crossing, over a narrow wooden bridge
Entering the Agia Irini Gorge. The route consists of a long descent, and the first section is high above the floor of the gorge...
We climb to a viewpoint which gives a good view along the gorge
There are steep drops from time to time, but no sense of exposure and it's a perfectly safe walk
We make a steep descent to the valley floor...
Limestone cliffs tower above us
We reach the floor of the gorge and follow a narrow path which crosses the stream several times
Fording the stream involves much boulder hopping, and walking poles were useful in maintaining balance
Portrait view along the gorge
We ford the stream again and climb up the other side
Rock scenery in the gorge
Dramatic views along the Agia Irini Gorge as we follow a narrow path
We approach the narrowest section of the gorge
Another descent to the floor of the gorge...
Looking back
More ups and downs as we near the end of the gorge
Red arrows painted on rocks show the best route to take, though it would be hard to go too far astray surrounded by perpendicular cliffs
The narrowest part of the Agia Irini Gorge...
The gorge ends here and we fork off to the left
The well named Taverna Oasis, in the middle of nowhere but perfectly located as far as we're concerned
A perfect end to our first walk in Crete. There's no mobile phone signal here, but the owner is happy to use the landline to summon a taxi back to the start. If the taverna is closed it would be necessary to continue into Sougia and return from there
