Location
Imbros Gorge
Imbros, Chania
Imbros Gorge – Imbros, Chania
**Φαράγγι Ίμπρος — Imbros Gorge** Imbros Gorge (*Farángi Ímbros*) is the younger and more tranquil sibling of the famous Samaria Gorge—shorter, easier to traverse, yet no less scenic. Located in the Sfakia region of southern Crete, it cuts through a stark limestone landscape where the mountains seem to press closely together, forming impressive rocky narrows. It is one of those places where nature, history, and the wild character of Crete come together in a harmonious whole.
Description
Imbros Gorge is approximately 8 kilometers long, with an elevation difference of about 600 meters between its starting point in the village of Imbros and its end in the village of Komitades. The entire route can be completed in 2–3 hours, making it an excellent alternative for those who do not wish to—or are unable to—undertake the much longer hike through Samaria Gorge. The path leads between steep rock walls, at times so narrow that one can touch both sides with outstretched hands; the most famous section is only about 1.6 meters wide and rises more than 100 meters high. Along the way, traces of former shepherd settlements can be seen, while wild herbs, juniper, and thyme grow among the stones, their scent lingering in the hot air.
For centuries, the gorge served as an important passage between the coast and the mountain villages of Sfakia. During the period of Ottoman rule and later under German occupation, it functioned as an escape route and a refuge for partisans. In 1941, during the Battle of Crete, Allied troops—British, New Zealanders, and Greeks—were evacuated through this very gorge toward the port of Chora Sfakion, from where they were transported to Egypt.
At the end of the trail in Komitades, small tavernas await, offering cool wine and home-style food. From the village, a road leads to the beach of Frangokastello, where a Venetian castle rises above the sea like a sentinel of history. Imbros Gorge is a place that needs no promotion—standing once between its rocks is enough to feel that this is not merely a hiking route, but a fragment of the soul of Sfakia.
Location
Imbros, Chania
Coordinates: 35.25432, 24.17179