Richtis Gorge

The Richtis is unusual for eastern Crete, which is generally dry: the gorge holds running water most of the year, plane trees, ferns and moss, and a waterfall of about twenty metres drops into a pool roughly halfway along the route. The walk starts near Exo Mouliana at an old Venetian bridge and descends about four kilometres to Richtis beach on the north coast, taking two to three hours, crossing the stream repeatedly on stones and passing ruined watermills. Most walkers arrange a car at the beach end or return the way they came, which means a climb. The beach itself is grey pebble with a stream mouth and a seasonal cantina, and it stays quiet even in August because access is limited.

What you actually see

• The waterfall - a twenty-metre fall into a pool midway down the gorge.
• The green canyon - plane trees, ferns and running water in a dry region.
• The watermills - ruins along the stream, with an old Venetian bridge at the top.
• Richtis beach - a quiet pebble shore at the gorge mouth.

When to go

April to June for water in the stream and full greenery; September and October are cooler for walking. Avoid after heavy rain, when the crossings become difficult and the gorge can flood.

Honest expectations

The walk is one-way downhill, so transport must be arranged or the climb accepted. Stream crossings mean wet feet, and the path is stony and slippery in places. There are no facilities until the beach, and the cantina is seasonal.

Nearby

Sitia lies east; Mochlos and the north coast villages are west.