<The Imbros Gorge on the island of Crete
The Imbros Gorge in the south of Crete leads from Imbros to Komitades (close to Chora Sfakion). It is 7 kilometers long and very impressive and beautiful. It's about a 3 hours walk and in some places the cliffs are less than 2 meters apart and 300 meters high. There is a lot of vegetation and on some parts the gorge gets very narrow. The walk through the gorge of Imbros is a popular alternative to the Samaria gorge for those who prefer a shorter walk. It is also far less crowded (but by no means empty!).
The walk starts in the village of Imbros and there is a small entrance fee (2 euro in 2009). The imbros gorge is a very green one and popular with the flower tours that come to Crete during the spring. The main road runs parallel with the gorge so it is easy to make the walk and than take a taxi back to the village of Imbros. There are no buses (I get mixed reports on this - some say there is a bus in the old village of Komatides that goes to Plakias and Chora Sfakion or to Chania). The terrain is rough so make sure that you have good walking boots and watch where you are walking. On your hike wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water (3 liter per person is advised) because unlike most other gorges there are no springs in the Imbros Gorge.
In the middle of the gorge there is a kiosk that sells drinks but it cannot be relied upon and you will often find it closed. If you walk to the end of the gorge you will see two tavernas where you can get a drink. If you walk a little bit further you will end up in the village of Komitades.
The village of Imbros itself is a pleasant small village that seems to live of the tourists that want to visit the gorge. There are plenty of tavernas, a couple of accommodations and rooms fro rent and souvenir shops. You can reach Imbros with your own car or by buses that ride between Chania in the north and Chora Sfakion in the south. At the other side of the gorge in the village of Komitades the people also seem to be living from the tourism and it is the same picture as in Imbros, with rooms for rent, tavernas and souvenir shops. Food and other things can be expensive here.
