Kourtaliotiko Gorge

[kokkinos vrachos]

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

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

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

[kokkinos vrachos]

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.cretalive.gr/kriti/koyrtaliotis-me-eisitirio-sto-exis-i-eisodos-gia-na-prostateytei-i-periohi

Kalo Chimona (Καλό χειμώνα) - have a good winter, kv

[kokkinos vrachos]

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

[spottttttt]

Been there already  long way down!!

[kokkinos vrachos]

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

Best regards from Souda/Plakias, kv

[kokkinos vrachos]

Kourtaliotiko Gorge Closure Halts Travel Again

https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotiko-gorge-closure/242613/

kali evdomada, kv

[kokkinos vrachos]

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

[DandC]

Both gorges now open - we were there 23 Jun - 7 Jul

[kokkinos vrachos]

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

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

[kokkinos vrachos]

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

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

[kokkinos vrachos]

"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

[kokkinos vrachos]

"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/

kali evdomada, kv

[kokkinos vrachos]

Record Visitors at Kourtaliotis Gorge Despite ?5 Entrance Fee

https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotis-gorge-record-visitors-2/246287/

Best regards from Souda/Plakias, kv

[kokkinos vrachos]

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