Imbros Gorge is certainly worth a visit since it is one of the most beautiful and famous Cretan Gorges. Its landscape will enchant you!
It is near Sfakia south of Chania. The gorge starts from a small plateau just below the village of Imbros and ends at the village Komitades, offering wonderful views of the Libyan Sea. It is approximately 7 km.[4.3 miles] long and can easily be crossed any time of the year. The walk is not particularly strenuous and can be completed in 2-3 hours.
It is a gorge with a rocky formation, narrow at some points and has a large variety of wild vegetation and trees which literally grow through the stones and rocks! The most beautiful part of the gorge is about half way through the route where the rocks are very close to each other and the gorge narrows to about 2 meters [6.5ft.] in width.
When your hike is through, the bus will be waiting at the exit in the village of Komitades. Our next stop is Anopoli.
Anopoli is one of the villages of Sfakia region, which is located at the foothills of the White Mountains, in the prefecture of Chania, Crete. In the village square you will see the statue of Ioannis Daskalogiannis [John Daskalogiannis] who was the leader of the revolution in 1770 against the Turks, conquerors of the island. The anniversary of the revolution is celebrated according to tradition, every year on the first Sunday after June 17th, in the square of Anοpolis.
About 3.5 km. west of the village, the abandoned village of Aradena is located. You will arrive there after passing over the Gorge of Aradena, through the only metal bridge in Crete that connects the two sides of the stunning Gorge. Every weekend during the months June-July-August, the lovers of bungee jumping can dive from the bridge of Aradena which has height of 138 meters and is the highest bridge in the Balkans. If you continue to the east, you will pass through a unique pine forest and end up in the village of Agios Ioannis, located 5 km. from the bridge of the Aradena Gorge. The chapel of Saint Catherine is located 20 minutes from the plateau of Anopolis village. Once you get there you will be astonished by the great view and the magical scenery.
Finally, you will have the opportunity to sit at a tavern in the village of Anopolis and enjoy the local traditional dishes.
