Sarakina Gorge in Meskla
The Sarakina Gorge in Meskla is a delightful and accessible destination for a nature-filled day trip.
Due to Saracen pirates’ usage of the gorge as a hideaway after their raids on neighboring settlements, the gorge takes on its name.
This is one of two gorges in Crete that share the name, with the other located in the village of Mythoi near Ierapetra.
Given its short length and safe, low-difficulty trail, the gorge is appropriate for tourists of all ages. It is one of the island’s most striking gorges, despite its relative unknown.
It is situated near the village of Meskla in Kydonia, at the base of the White Mountains.
The gorge is surrounded by lush vegetation, including cypress and plane trees, and offers a diverse landscape that captivates visitors. Additionally, hikers can observe rare flowers and herbs that thrive in the area.
The entrance to the gorge is located just outside Meskla, on the road towards Zourva, opposite the first major curve on the right.
A dirt road from there leads directly to the gorge. The trail follows the river, with wooden and stone steps guiding the way.
After about ten minutes of walking, the path transitions to a rocky riverbed. Here, visitors can marvel at the striking limestone formations, which form a narrow passage just two meters wide, possibly the most breathtaking part of the hike.
After the narrow passage, the trail continues through dense forest, offering hikers the choice to return to the starting point or continue right towards the Zourva forest.
