Diagram by Greece Trips. Free to reuse with credit - CC BY 4.0.
It runs from the village of Imbros on the mountain plateau down towards Komitades near the Libyan Sea, through limestone walls that in places narrow to a couple of metres.
What the walk is like
- Downhill throughout, on a stony riverbed path rather than a made trail.
- Two to three hours at a normal pace, more with children or photographs.
- Narrow sections where the walls close in overhead, which are the reason to come.
- Shade for much of it, unusually for Crete, because the gorge is deep and tight.
It is a walk, not a climb: no ropes, no exposure, no technical sections. The demands are the loose surface underfoot and the heat at the lower end.
Getting back is the planning problem
The walk is one-way, and the two ends are a long way apart by road. The options:
- Taxi or arranged pick-up at Komitades, which most independent walkers use.
- Organised transfer from the resorts, which handles both ends.
- Two cars, if you are travelling with company.
- Walking back up, which is possible and turns a half day into a hard full one.
Sort this before you start. People regularly finish the gorge and then discover the transport problem.
Practical notes
- Shoes with grip. The riverbed is loose stone.
- Water, more than you think; there is little or nothing on the route.
- Flash floods are the real hazard in a gorge, so do not enter in or after heavy rain, and take local advice on the day.
- Season. The gorge is a spring-to-autumn walk; winter rain closes it in practice.
Where it fits
Imbros sits on the road south from Chania to Chora Sfakion, so it pairs with the south coast: the walk in the morning, and a swim or the boat to Loutro in the afternoon. Our things to do in Crete page places it against the island’s other walks.
Last checked August 2026. Access, transfers and conditions change - see our editorial policy.
Common questions
How long does Imbros Gorge take?
Two to three hours downhill for most walkers, over roughly eight kilometres.
Is Imbros Gorge easier than Samaria?
Yes. It is about half the length, entirely downhill, and takes a morning rather than a full day.
How do you get back after walking Imbros Gorge?
By pre-arranged taxi or transfer from the lower end at Komitades, by using two cars, or by walking back up. Arrange it before you set off.
Is Imbros Gorge suitable for children?
Reasonably fit children manage it, given good shoes, plenty of water and an early start. The surface is loose stone throughout.
When is Imbros Gorge open?
It is walked from spring to autumn. Avoid it in and after heavy rain, when gorges carry flood risk, and take local advice on the day.
Next
Read things to do in Crete, Samaria Gorge, or where to stay in Crete.