Location
Richtis Gorge
Sitia Municipal Unit, Lasithi
Richtis Gorge – Sitia Municipal Unit, Lasithi
Richtis Gorge is located in eastern Crete, in the Lasithi region, between Exo Mouliana and the coast of the Cretan Sea. It is a green, humid, and relatively easy gorge, best known for the high Richtis Waterfall — one of the few natural waterfalls on the island that flows for most of the year. The trail follows the stream all the way to the small, pebbly Richtis Beach.
Description
Richtis is a gorge unlike most Cretan canyons. Instead of the harsh limestone walls typical of the Chania or Sfakia regions, eastern Crete offers a softer landscape here: overgrown banks, abundant trees, damp shade, and a path running alongside a stream that has shaped this valley for centuries. Springs and tributaries from the surrounding hills ensure that the gorge remains green even in the height of summer — a rarity on Crete.
The entrance to the gorge lies below the village of Exo Mouliana. The initial section follows a path that gradually descends to the valley floor. After just a few minutes, the surroundings change noticeably: bare rock gives way to ferns, undergrowth, dense trees, and a coolness that is hard to find elsewhere in this part of the island. The natural stream flows for most of the year, forming small cascades, fords, and pools.
The central feature of the gorge is the Richtis Waterfall. Here, water plunges from a considerable height into a rocky basin covered with mosses and aquatic plants. It is one of the most picturesque spots in Lasithi, combining raw stone with intense Mediterranean greenery. The waterfall is not a seasonal phenomenon; it is fed by a permanent system of springs, which means it continues to flow well beyond the spring melt period.
The trail continues toward the sea. The final stretch opens onto a rocky coastline and the quiet bay of Richtis. This is a small, pebbly beach with a natural, undeveloped character, isolated from the main tourist routes. In the past, it served as a point of access from nearby fields and villages, with the gorge functioning as a natural passage between the interior and the coast.
Richtis is one of the best-documented gorges in Lasithi — not because of dramatic geology, but due to the constant presence of water, which sets it apart on an island-wide scale. It is a route for those seeking not only rugged scenery, but also silence and coolness, both of which are rare in this part of Crete. From start to finish, the gorge retains the character of a natural, almost untouched place, where water shapes the landscape much as it did centuries ago.
Location
Sitia Municipal Unit, Lasithi
Coordinates: 35.18559, 25.98674