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Hike in Rouvas gorge in Zaros in Crete

The gorge of Rouvas is the most famous gorge in the regional unit of Heraklion. The hike has its beginning, or end, near the village of Zaros. The gorge of Rouvas is a immensely beautiful gorge that offers a varied scenery. The trail starts either at Lake Votamos, or at Agios Nikolaos Monastery located above Eleonas Hotel. The hike is a little shorter if you start at the monastery.

The Rouvas gorge is located above the village of Zaros in Crete.

The Rouvas gorge is located above the village of Zaros.

The hike in the Rouvas Gorge starts either at Lake Votamos in Zaros, or at the monastery of Agios Nikolaos.

The trail starts either at Lake Votamos, or at Agios Nikolaos Monastery.

The magnificent church in the monastery of Agios Nikolaos in Zaros, Crete.

The magnificent church of the monastery of Agios Nikolaos.

A majority of the tourists who choose to stay overnight in Zaros come here to hike. There are many nice hiking trails in the immediate area. Both easy walks and those that require a little more. The village has a beautiful location at the foot of the mighty Mount Psiloritis, also known as Mount Ida. We have not hiked as high as to the summit of Psiloritis, we are content with the hike through the Rouvas gorge, and it is certainly a wonderful hike.

Zaros is situated very beautifully at the foot of the mighty mountain Psiloritis, or Mount Ida, in Crete.

Camilla look at the summit of the Mount Psiloritis, also known as Mount Ida.

The Rouvas gorge is famous for housing one of Crete's few oak forests. It is quite cool to get into a lush forest of oaks. In places, the trees cover the entire gorge, and it feels like you are walking indoors.

The Rouvas gorge is home to one of Crete's few oak forests.

Are there oak forests in Crete and in Greece? Yes, there is.

Part of the oak forest in the Rouvas Gorge.

The hike in the Rouvas Gorge in Crete takes about 5 ½ hours.

Sometimes it feels like walking indoors.

Walking through the entire gorge is quite demanding as it is going steeply uphill. One should not walk if one has problems with the knees. If possible you should start early in the morning so you avoid the worst heat. The entire hike, from the monastery and back again, takes about 5 ½ hours. If you want to hike in a gorge that is easy to hike, I recommend you to drive to Sivas and go for a walk in the Agiofarago gorge.

Hike in the Rouvas gorge in Zaros in Crete.

Walking through the entire gorge is quite demanding as it is going steeply uphill.

Some passages of the hike in the Rouvas Gorge are nasty if you are afraid of heights.

If you, like me, are afraid of heights, there are several nasty passages.

Climb mountains on Crete in Greece.

Hiking in the Rouvas Ravine is not for the inexperienced hiker.

If you are interested in birds you should keep your eyes open because there are plenty of small and large birds. Even if you are not interested in birds, you will see birds whether you like it or not.

Griffon vultures are very common in the gorge of Rouvas in Crete.

Griffon vultures are very common in the gorge of Rouvas.

For the gorge is home to the enormously large griffon vulture. It is really extraordinary to hike through the gorge and see the griffon vultures soar above your head. We saw as many as seven at the same time soaring above us. Awesome is the least you can say.

Are there dangerous spiders in Crete and in Greece?

There is also the occasional spider.

The hike in the Rouvas Gorge is part of the E4 hiking trail that runs throughout Crete.

The hike ends at a small, fine chapel called Agios Ioannis. Many Greeks drive up to the chapel and the woods nearby to have a picnic. It is a place made for picnics, and something to long for during the long hike. Just beware of begging goats. They are used to people and do whatever they can to pinch your sandwich or fruit.

The chapel of Agios Ioannis where the hike in the Rouvas Gorge ends.