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Platania Gorge in Amari valley in Crete

Just before Fourfouras, which is the largest village in the Amari valley, lies the small charming village of Platania. Above the village is one of Crete's most unknown gorges located, it is not even included on all maps. The gorge is also called Platania (Platania Gorge) and depending on which route you take, the trail is between 2.6 and 4.4 kilometres long.

 

Hike in the Platania Gorge in Crete.

The beginning of the hike in the Platania Gorge.

 

The Platania Gorge offers extremely beautiful views across parts of the Amari valley. It also offers scary precipices, scary paths with railings and a rich bird life. At the entrance of the gorge there are warning signs saying that this is a "dangerous path". You should be an experienced hiker if you walk this trail, and you should absolutely not have fear of heights. Like I have.

 

Platania Gorge is one of Crete's most dangerous gorges to hike in and is not recommended if you have a fear of heights.

Warning sign at the beginning of the gorge.

 

The first part of the trail ascend steeply and is quite easy to walk, even children should be able to walk the first part according to the information signs. I don't agree. We walked about half way before we gave up. We didn't have the courage to walk farther.

 

In Crete there are millions of olive trees and some are really old.

Along the path up you pass many old olive trees.



View of the Amari valley from the Platania gorge in Crete.

View of the Amari valley from Platania gorge.

 

The Platania Gorge in Crete is known for its rich bird life and is suitable for you who are bird watchers.

The Platania Gorge.

 

The reason why we went to the gorge at all, was due to the fact that we had heard that Bearded vulture is nesting here. Since we are birders and bearded vulture is an extremely rare bird (about 500 pairs in Europe) we had virtually no choice than to search for it.

 

Griffon vultures and bearded vultures can be seen in Crete's many gorges.

Griffon vultures are common in Platania Gorge, but there are bearded vultureas well.

After a large number of observations of Griffon vulture, and after about 45 minutes of waiting, then finally a bearded vulture came gliding! At first we didn't believe our eyes! It is one of the most magnificent bird observations we have ever experienced.

 

f you are a bird watcher and want to see bearded vulture, you should travel to Crete and hike in the gorges.

Thumbs up as we got to see the Bearded vultures!

 

I highly recommend you a walk in the Platania Gorge if you are interested in birding, not otherwise. Unless you are a hard-core hiker, then you have a great adventure ahead of you.

 

In the genuine village of Platania in Crete, the hike to the Platania Gorge and the Amari Valley begins.

The village of Platania where the hike begins.

 

Parts of the gorge are really scary to walk, although there are railings, but they do not feel particularly reliable. If you are in the area I recommend a hike in the Rouvas Gorge instead. Platania Gorge is located in Rethymno regional unit and Rouvas Gorge is located in Heraklion regional unit.

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT PLATANIA GORGE

 

Don't miss the Amari valley in Rethymnon county when you visit Crete.

Don't miss Amari valley, which you can read about here »

 

Learn more about Crete »




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