Plakias Forums
Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: kokkinos vrachos on September 12, 2024, 11:09:47 AM
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Kalimera, there have been some newspaper articles in the local media in the last few weeks about ?overtourism? in the Kourtaliotiko gorge (NATURA2000 area).
A big problem is the crowds, there are no toilets and a lot of rubbish is left in the gorge,
https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2074077_orgi-kai-aganaktisi-gia-toys-asyneiditoys-poy-petoyn-skoypidia-sto (https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2074077_orgi-kai-aganaktisi-gia-toys-asyneiditoys-poy-petoyn-skoypidia-sto)
The movement to protect the springs of Kourtalioti is fortunately very active and there is a FB group: SOS PLAKIAS #SavePreveli
Kourtaliotiko Gorge: https://plakias-finikas.net/tourism/the-kourtaliotis-gorge/?lang=en (https://plakias-finikas.net/tourism/the-kourtaliotis-gorge/?lang=en)
Best regards from Hamburg, kv
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Kalimera, from 1 May to 31 October, the entrance fee to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, with its famous waterfalls, is now ?5.
https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2101736_i-diaheirisi-toy-fysikoy-ploytoy-toy-koyrtalioti-i-egkrisi-fek-kai-ta (https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2101736_i-diaheirisi-toy-fysikoy-ploytoy-toy-koyrtalioti-i-egkrisi-fek-kai-ta)
https://www.cretalive.gr/kriti/koyrtaliotis-me-eisitirio-sto-exis-i-eisodos-gia-na-prostateytei-i-periohi (https://www.cretalive.gr/kriti/koyrtaliotis-me-eisitirio-sto-exis-i-eisodos-gia-na-prostateytei-i-periohi)
Kalo Chimona (Καλό χειμώνα) - have a good winter, kv
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From 1 May to 31 October there is an entrance fee to enter the Kourtaliotiko Gorge
An overview of all the changes:
- There is controlled access during visiting hours from 9:00 to 19:00. A maximum of 100 people are allowed to descend per hour.
- Swimming is prohibited.
- An electronic ticket system will be introduced for entry.
- The path into the gorge starts at the entrance near Asomatos and leads to the chapel of Agios Nikolaos.
https://rethnea.gr/neoi-kanones-sto-kourtaliotiko-farangi/
Best regards from Plakias, kv
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Been there already long way down!!
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Kalimera, the heavy rain yesterday caused a rockslide in the Kourtaliotiko gorge.
https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2110509_megalos-brahos-prosgeiothike-sto-koyrtaliotiko-faraggi-ap-tin-dynati-brohi (https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2110509_megalos-brahos-prosgeiothike-sto-koyrtaliotiko-faraggi-ap-tin-dynati-brohi)
Best regards from Souda/Plakias, kv
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Kourtaliotiko Gorge Closure Halts Travel Again
https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotiko-gorge-closure/242613/ (https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotiko-gorge-closure/242613/)
kali evdomada, kv
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Kalimera, the entrance to the gorge to the waterfalls now costs ?5. Only card payment is possible, cash payment is not possible!
Swimming to the waterfall is still permitted.
- Car parking is free of charge.
- There are no toilets
Best regards from Hamburg, kv
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Both gorges now open - we were there 23 Jun - 7 Jul
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400,000 euros approved for repairing damage to Kourtaliotiko Gorge - In the tender phase the study for the tunnel
"The Ministry of National Economy and Finance approved the allocation of a credit of 400,000 euros for the implementation of the project: "Restoration of losses from landslides and falls on the provincial road 9 (in section 1 of the study), Kourteliotis Gorge, P.E. Rethymno" from the special Natural Disaster program. The work to be carried out include, as a matter of priority, the removal of unsafe rocky tumors at particularly dangerous points of the route, with the aim of restoring traffic safety and preventing accidents."
Furthermore, the realisation/study of a tunnel is planned.
https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2128077_rethymno-egkrithikan-400000-eyro-gia-apokatastasi-zimion-sto-koyrtaliotiko (https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2128077_rethymno-egkrithikan-400000-eyro-gia-apokatastasi-zimion-sto-koyrtaliotiko)
Best regards from Hamburg, kv
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Kalimera, however, the deputy governor of Rethymno, Maria Lioni, believes that the only permanent solution is to build a tunnel. In an interview with Skai radio station, she emphasised that the area is now under considerable strain and that, unlike in the past, the road is used by tens of thousands of people ? both locals and visitors. In the local newspaper Rethymniotika Nea, she emphasised that although the tunnel construction would incur considerable costs ? estimated at around 70 million euros ? its implementation was ?urgently necessary, as there is no other way to guarantee safe travel.?
https://www.griechenland.net/nachrichten/chronik/36748-kourtaliotis-schlucht-auf-kreta-tunnel-soll-f%C3%BCr-sicherheit-sorgen (https://www.griechenland.net/nachrichten/chronik/36748-kourtaliotis-schlucht-auf-kreta-tunnel-soll-f%C3%BCr-sicherheit-sorgen)
Best regards from Hamburg, kv
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"More than 100,000 visitors have welcomed this year the gorge of Kourtaliotis river, in Crete, which since the beginning of May has been operating under a new regime. On the initiative of the Municipality of Agios Vasileios, the Region of Crete, the OFYPEKA and the Ministry of Environment, a new, organized operating model was launched, with the aim of ensuring the experience of visitors and the promotion and protection of the natural environment."
https://creta24.gr/koyrtaliotiko-faraggi-perissoteroi-apo-100-000-episkeptes-apo-ton-maio-eos-to-telos-aygoystoy/
Best regards from Hamburg, kv
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"If the plan was meant to discourage mass visitation, it has not worked. On the contrary, the gorge has already recorded more than 100,000 visitors?a staggering figure considering the entry fee and the fact that the site was closed for several days after the torrential rains of May 31, 2025.
Clearly, ?5 is not much of a deterrent. In Crete, it barely buys a coffee in Rethymno. For that price, you get cliffs, waterfalls, dragonflies, and the faint reassurance that someone is keeping an eye on the chaos."
https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotis-gorge-record-visitors/244987/ (https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotis-gorge-record-visitors/244987/)
kali evdomada, kv
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Record Visitors at Kourtaliotis Gorge Despite ?5 Entrance Fee
https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotis-gorge-record-visitors-2/246287/ (https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotis-gorge-record-visitors-2/246287/)
Best regards from Souda/Plakias, kv
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The deputy governor of Rethymno, Maria Lioni, believes that the only permanent solution is to build a tunnel.
In an interview with the private radio station Skai, she emphasised that the area is now heavily congested and, unlike in the past, the road is used by tens of thousands of people ? both locals and visitors. In the local newspaper Rethymniotika Nea, the regional politician emphasised that although the tunnel construction would incur considerable costs ? estimated at around 70 million euros ? its implementation was ?urgently necessary, as there is no other way to guarantee safe travel.?
Best regards from Plakais, kv
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Since Monday, 16 February, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge has been closed to traffic again due to construction work.
According to the district government, the gorge is to be reopened to traffic in May for the tourist season.
Construction work is then scheduled to resume at the end of October.
https://www.goodnet.gr/news-item/terastioi-episfaleis-ogkoi-apomakrunontai-apo-to-kourtaliotiko-faraggi-epta-etaireies-ston-diagonismo-gia-ti-siragga.html (https://www.goodnet.gr/news-item/terastioi-episfaleis-ogkoi-apomakrunontai-apo-to-kourtaliotiko-faraggi-epta-etaireies-ston-diagonismo-gia-ti-siragga.html)
Kali Sarakosti, kv
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Kalimera, this year, too, there is a daily visitor limit of 1,000 people at the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. I still think that?s far too many.
According to local authorities, the model has helped reduce pressure on the landscape while allowing visitors to enjoy the area under more controlled and sustainable conditions.
Ta Leme, kv
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Kalimera, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge is open to traffic again.
https://www.cretalive.gr/kriti/apokathistatai-simera-i-kykloforia-sto-koyrtaliotiko-faraggi (https://www.cretalive.gr/kriti/apokathistatai-simera-i-kykloforia-sto-koyrtaliotiko-faraggi)
Best regards from Plakias, kv
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Kalimera, yesterday, an on-site inspection was conducted in the Kourtaliotis Gorge by Efthimios Lekkas, professor of natural disaster management and president of OASP, following a request from OFYPEKA, with the aim of assessing issues related to visitor safety.
By the end of next week, the controlled access system at Kourtaliotis Gorge is expected to be operational to improve safety and management.
Ta Leme, kv
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Official website & tickets here: https://kourtaliotis-tickets.necca.gov.gr/checkout
Ta Leme, kv
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A unique summer experience in nature, combining hiking, river trekking and swimming in one of the most spectacular landscapes of Crete, is organized by the "Roads of Life" on Sunday, July 5.
Destination is the imposing Kourtaliotiko Gorge and the beach of Preveli, with the participants having the opportunity to cross the gorge through the waters of the river, ending up in the palm forest and the sea.
According to the organizers:
"Whether you start it from the sources, you cross it in parts, or you go straight to the palm forest and the sea, one thing is for sure!!! Playing with the waters...
So summarizing:
Next Sunday, an epic march will take place...
A course of those that are once and you remember them for the rest of your life.
Our program provides for a swim, only this time the sloppy will start 6 km before the sea.
Specifically, we will hike-swim to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge to finish on the famous and particularly impressive beach of Preveli, with the largest ? after Vai ? palm forest of Crete.
Beautiful course within the river in a green landscape, in one of the first places in traffic in Crete.
It will need swimwear, sneakers (win) and all the transportable equipment must be watertight in full immersion in water, desired use of batons.
Free time for swimming on the beach.
Those who wish can take part of the route. Specifically, either the first half of it (3km), or the second half, or the whole journey or just go to the palm forest directly and start their bathing in salt water directly.
Running hours 1st section 2:30 N.D. 1+
Running hours 2nd section 3:30 D.D. 2
river trekking all the way.
Departure from the area of the Popular Market on Saturday (Agia Anna)
at 07:30, Sunday 05/07/2026.
Our excursions take place in a non-urban environment, equipment suitable with the field and the season are required.
Information - Registrations ONLY at: 2816007430 & 6947504650.
With physical presence you find us here.
Contact hours Monday ? Friday 09:00-14:00 & 18:00-21:00.
We remind you that: payment of subscriptions until Friday afternoon, cancellations of seats are made until Saturday noon (13:00).
In case of no-show, the declared member is liable to pay his/her participation.
Find out about our activities from our site www.dromoizois.gr (http://www.dromoizois.gr) and/or by Like our Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/dromoizoiscrete/ (https://www.facebook.com/dromoizoiscrete/) and following us.
The above program is indicative and may be modified without notice if necessary for the better conduct of the excursion."
Ta Leme, kv