KOURTALIOTIS GORGE

Kourtaliotiko Gorge is one of the most breathtaking natural landmarks in southern Crete. Located near the town of Plakias in the Rethymno Regional Unit, this dramatic gorge stretches for about 3 kilometers between towering limestone cliffs that rise up to 600 meters high.

The gorge is famous for its wild scenery, steep rock walls, and the powerful winds that rush through its narrow passages. In fact, the name “Kourtaliotiko” comes from the Greek word kourtala, meaning “clapping,” referring to the sound created by wind blowing through the rocks.

At the bottom of the gorge flows the Kourtaliotis River, which eventually forms beautiful waterfalls and continues toward the Libyan Sea. The river is fed by springs emerging from the cliffs, creating a lush environment filled with plane trees, oleanders, and rare Cretan plants.