Agia Fotia gorge

The Agia Fotia gorge is a small verdant gorge in the prefecture of Rethymno, near the Spili village, 30 km far from the city of Rethymno.

The Agia Fotia gorge is located near the church of Agia Fotini, which name it bears, since in many parts of Crete, Agia Fotini has been paraphrased into Agia Fotia.

The canyon starts from the plateau of the Yious Kampou, at an altitude of 750 meters, and leads, after about 1.5 kilometers, to a spring at an altitude of 500 meters. Near the beginning of the Agia Fotia gorge a row of beautiful waterfalls is formed, which are full-flowing in spring, making it one of the most impressive gorges in the whole prefecture of Rethymno.

Among waterfalls, a big one, 20 meters tall, stands out at the beginning of the Agia Fotia gorge, being the most impressive and ferocious and followed by several smaller in height. The easiest way to access the waterfalls is hiking from the spring along the gorge. Alternatively, they can be accessed from the Yious Kampou, but with more difficulty. In this case, the waterfalls should be bypassed by descending the steep slope down to the bottom of the gorge.

The canyon throughout its length is covered with a beautiful forest with plane trees and kermes oaks, while in spring it is filled with wildflowers. The area is considered the most important botanical garden, not only of the prefecture, but of the whole Crete.

The crossing of the Agia Fotia gorge can be achieved without rope throughout its length, but only from the exit to the big waterfall. For those with ropes and equipment, the descent of the canyon is a unique experience.

Besides Agia Fotini, there is the church of Agios Ioannis in this area as well.