Walking on one of the most beautiful paths of eastern Crete, through black pine forests.…
Richtis Gorge
It is the fantastic jungle like gorge Richtis! The amazing gorge of Richtis is located in Lasithi Prefecture, on the north side, between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia. It starts just outside the village Exo Mouliana and ends at the Richtis beach, east of the hidden village of Kalabros.
The total length of the route is approximately 4 kilometers and the elevation difference between the starting point and the beach is about 350 meters. The gorge, even in summer, has enough water, which is used by locals.
Hiking in the gorge takes three to four hours. We walk along the small river and cross it sometimes. The route starts from the stone-arched bridge of Lachanas (19th century) which has a tragic history to tell.
During the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey in 1923, it is said that, at this point, Christians killed the Turks of the region, who were trying to reach Sitia and get the boat to Turkey. The route continues in a lush landscape in the river, totally unique in eastern Crete. The mountain is actually above your head. Platan, oleander and sage are numerous, and the smells of fresh herbs change constantly.
The highlight is, of course, the beautiful waterfall of over 25 meters, that someone would expect to meet only in parts of northern Greece. The waterfall has water even in summer! Impressive also – footprint of the past – is the old water mills that the visitors meet in the path.
The path finishes in the beautiful pebbly beach of Richtis. The beach has enough tamarisk trees, with stone seats and tables around. Also, there is a stone water fountain with water all year round.
The gorge is about 5 km long and you can reach the stone bridge of Lachanas by car (1,2 km from the central road).
From the stone bridge to the waterfall you will need to walk for appr. one hour. From there, you need to walk 30 more minutes to the beach.
If you are not a fan of hiking or you don’t have much time, then you can drive directly from Exo Mouliana village to the waterfall from there to the beach.. — See the route by Google maps
The stone bridge you meet at the entrance (bridge of Lachanas) hides a tragic story (or maybe legend?): here Christians slaughtered Muslims who attempted to reach the town of Sitia and board on a ship, during the population exchange between Turkey and Greece.
Additional Info
Altitude: 340m – 0m
Starting point: Exo Mouliana Village
Path Type: Good Marked path (7km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Walk distance: 7km (Exo Mouliana village-Richtis beach)
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Richti Gorge is not an “Easy” walk, people are attempting to do the walk and do not have enough time to finish it before it is dark. Two times in the past week EDEAK – the local volunteer rescue team have had to rescue walkers form the gorge.
http://www.anatolh.com/2019/08/03/%ce%b1%ce%af%cf%83%ce%b9%ce%bf-%cf%84%ce%ad%ce%bb%ce%bf%cf%82-%ce%b5%ce%af%cf%87%ce%b5-%ce%b7-%cf%80%ce%b5%cf%81%ce%b9%cf%80%ce%ad%cf%84%ce%b5%ce%b9%ce%b1-%ce%b3%ce%b9%ce%b1-%ce%b4%cf%85%ce%bf-%ce%bd/
Dear sirs, I just found on your website the information that the Richti gorge is easy. Me as a hiking guide who crosses this gorge with people since 2007 I cannot agree with this information. It would be good to update your information and to inform the people that there are some parts in the gorge where you have to use your hands and that hiking boots are high reccommanded! The waterfall is around 30 m high.
Kind regards Angela