Avlaki gorge is located, near the monastery Gouverneto, 15km east of Chania city. It is one of the most important gorges in Crete with a particular religious value, as many monks and hermits found shelter in its caves. Inside the small canyon there is the deserted Katholiko monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Crete; therefore, the gorge is also called Katholiko Gorge. The gorge is not accessible in all its length, but there is a paved path that starts from the Monastery Gouverneto. After 10' of walking, you will meet the Cave Arkoudiotissa with the ancient temple of Artemis. From there the trail becomes steeper and the scenery rougher. After 15 more minutes, you arrive at the abandoned monastery of Katholiko and the cave of Saint John the Hermit,who lived here. The cave is very deep (150m) and whoever wants to walk inside it must have a torch.
Avlaki gorge is located, near the monastery Gouverneto, 15km east of Chania city. It is one of the most important gorges in Crete with a particular religious value, as many monks and hermits found shelter in its caves. Inside the small canyon there is the deserted Katholiko monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Crete; therefore, the gorge is also called Katholiko Gorge. The gorge is not accessible in all its length, but there is a paved path that starts from the Monastery Gouverneto. After 10' of walking, you will meet the Cave Arkoudiotissa with the ancient temple of Artemis. From there the trail becomes steeper and the scenery rougher. After 15 more minutes, you arrive at the abandoned monastery of Katholiko and the cave of Saint John the Hermit,who lived here. The cave is very deep (150m) and whoever wants to walk inside it must have a torch.
