ISLANDS A-Z	CRETE	CYCLADES	DODECANESE	EASTERN AEGEAN
IONIAN	SARONIC	SPORADES	MAINLAND	ABOUT US

Aradena bridge near Anopoli in southern Crete

The Aradena bridge is one of Crete's most interesting sights. I think that the Aradena bridge is more fascinating than the Minoan Palace of Knossos outside Heraklion in eastern Crete.

Aradena Bridge near Anopoli, Loutro and Chora Sfakion in southern Crete.

The Aradena bridge in southern Crete. Do you have the courage to drive a car across the bridge?

It might not sound so exciting to visit and to look at a bridge, but I assure you that it's thrilling, not to mention hair-raising. As if that were not enough, the drive to the bridge is at least as exhilarating. If you are in the vicinity, like in Chora Sfakion or Loutro, then I think you should drive up to the bridge. You won't regret it, I promise.

Aradena bridge near Anopoli in southern Crete.

The Aradena bridge.

The Aradena bridge looks just like any bridge at the picture above. But the appearances are deceptive. The first time we came here we parked the car just before the bridge and walked to where the picture is taken. I stood petrified. Look, it's wooden planks on the bridge, I burst out! How do people dare to drive over that bridge?

The Aradena Bridge is built of iron and thick wooden planks.

The bridge is built of iron and thick wooden planks.

The Aradena bridge and the Aradena Gorge.

The winding road between Chora Sfakion and the Aradena Bridge.

More photos from the road up to the Aradena bridge can be found here »

When the first car came across the bridge, I was terrified of the sound. The wooden planks is loose and when the cars drive over them it rattles madly throughout the gorge. It both looks, and sounds, horrifying. That is what I think. Others just think it's fun.

When a car drives over the Aradena Bridge, it roars like thunder in the gorge.

The Aradena bridge from below. When a car drives over it roars in the gorge.

Driving over the Aradena Bridge in Crete.

It rattles a lot when the cars drive over the bridge.

We have had a picnic in the Aradena Gorge and listened to the echoing sound of the cars driving over the Aradena Bridge.

We have had a picnic in the gorge and listened to the echoing sound of the cars.

I am exceptionally fascinated by the Aradena bridge, and I do not know how many times I have driven here just to see and listen. The reason for my fascination is probably my fear of heights. Here, my fear of heights is really confirmed.

Here I am sitting by the Aradena Bridge humming "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash.

Here I sit humming "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash.

Do you dare to walk on the Aradena Bridge in Crete?

Here I feel whether the wooden planks are holding, despite the cars driving over. :-)

It took me many attempts before I defied my phobia and defeated the bridge. We walked to the other side of the gorge and then reached the opposite side of the bridge. It was bad weather and to walk the same way back did not attract. Especially not when I saw our car parked on the other side of the bridge.

Do you dare drive a car over the Aradena Bridge in Crete?

"I took a deep breath and ran across the bridge without looking down into the gorge."

I took a deep breath and ran across the bridge without looking down into the gorge, or to look at the worn wooden planks. Once on the other side, I felt a great euphoria that I had not felt since I got married. However, I would never think about driving a car across. If you are really adventurous, and think it is an easy task to drive across the bridge, you can take a bungy jump off the bridge. It's a jump from 138 meters!

If you're really brave, you dare to cross the Aradena Bridge.

Afterwards I was baptized with cold water as proof that I was able to walk over the bridge.

The bridge was built in 1986 and was financed by a wealthy family connected to the tiny village of Agios Ioannis. If it were not for the bridge, the village would surely have died. In the village there is a taverna that is only open during the summer. From the bridge to Agios Ioannis it is about 5 kilometres.

The Aradena Bridge was built in 1986 by a family from the tiny village of Agios Ioannis on the other side of the bridge.

The bridge was built in 1986 by a family from village of Agios Ioannis on the other side of the bridge.

On the other side of the bridge lies the remains of the village of Aradena. What remains are ruined buildings, and also a very beautiful Byzantine church called Agios Ioannis. At the abutment there is a small kiosk selling snacks and drinks.

Instead of walking over the Aradena Bridge, you can hike via a path in the Aradena Ravine.

Instead of crossing the bridge, you can walk via the path you see on the right.

On a hike to the village of Agios Ioannis on the other side of the Aradena Bridge.

The abandoned village of Agios Ioannis near the village of Anopoli in southern Crete.

House ruins in the tiny village of Agios Ioannis.

Agios Ioannis church on the other side of the Aradena bridge.

One of the few houses in Agios Ioannis that is not ruined is the church of Agios Ioannis.

Hiking in the Aradena gorge is not as popular as, for example, the Samaria gorge and the Imbros gorge. But there are those who do, and the reward is a cooling bath and a good lunch where the gorge ends. The walk ends at a tiny beach called Marmara. From Marmara you can then take a taxi boat to Loutro and Chora Sfakion. You can also continue along the coast to the small villages of Phoenix and Lykos.

Here begins the hike in the Aradena gorge.