If hiking the Samaria Gorge sounds like too much for you, then Crete comes up with another, easier option – the Imbros Gorge.

Walking this 8-kilometer ravine is less strenuous but it’s still something special.

Imbros Gorge runs parallel to Samariá Gorge, its narrowest part has 1.60 m and it ends at the village of Kommitádes (8 km/ 650 m for hiking).

The Imbros village (aka Nimbros) is located at an altitude of 780 meters and is at the South end of the fertile plain of Askyfou. The legend tells that two brothers were banished from Imbros, Turkey, and lived in the Imbros village in Crete.

The Imbros Gorge mule trail was the only connection between Chania and Hora Sfakion before the road was built. Remains of this trail can still be seen. The gorge witnessed an evacuation of several thousands of British soldiers during World War II before heading to Egypt.

Easy to pass, it has no dangerous points and you don’t need a guide with you. Since it’s not a long trail only a short time is needed, ideal for those who can’t walk for many hours.

You can pass the gorge all year round except when it’s raining or snowing heavily. For those who reach Imbros with their own car, they can leave it there, pass the gorge and return to it with a taxi from Kommitádes or walk through the gorge all the way back again, as it is not so tiring.

As someone walks downhill 8 km and 650 m, it is something like half of Samariá Gorge. But Samariá Gorge is a screen above the river bed, and Imbros Gorge is a round screen of the dry creek bed. The trail is still strenuous, so if you are overweight or not wearing good, closed walking shoes, you will suffer.

Hiking: The entrance fee is €2.

We offer a great Full-Day Guided Hiking Trip Imbros Gorge & Marmara Marble Beach Join us for a memorable experience in this unique part of Crete.