Imbros Gorge

Imbros runs from the village of the same name on the mountain road down toward the Libyan Sea at Komitades, about eight kilometres of dry riverbed with a steady descent and no serious climbing. It is the practical alternative to Samaria: shorter, open year round in most conditions, and doable in two to three hours by anyone comfortable walking on stones. The walls close in repeatedly, and at the narrowest point they stand only a couple of metres apart with several hundred metres of rock above. Old cypresses grow out of the sides, and a natural stone arch spans the route in one place. There is a ticket booth at each end and tavernas at both, which is the whole of the infrastructure.

What you actually see

• The narrows - the tightest section, walls close enough to touch both sides in places.
• The stone arch - a natural span across the gorge partway down the route.
• The cypresses - old trees rooted in the walls above the dry bed.
• The exit at Komitades - the gorge opening out toward the Libyan Sea coast.

When to go

Spring and autumn are ideal; the upper section is open to the sun and midsummer walking is hot even starting early. Go downhill from Imbros rather than up. Arrange your return transport before you start, since taxis from Komitades are the usual option. The gorge closes in heavy rain because of flash flood risk.

Honest expectations

The bed is loose stone and ankles turn on it regularly; trainers are the minimum and boots are better. There is no water source along the route and no shade in the open stretches. Getting back to your car is the awkward part and taxi fares from the bottom add up for a couple. In peak season groups bunch together in the narrows.

Nearby

Chora Sfakion and the south coast beaches, the Askifou plateau and Frangokastello.