Agios Georgios

Imposing tour through the Kourtaliotiko gorge down to the Preveli beach with dynamic changes of the environment during the walking. You will enjoy the spectacular views down the gorge and the surrounding mountains which provide a roosting site for the Griffon Vulture. 

Starting point can be the middle of the Kourtaliotiko gorge. First you will walk down 260 stone stairs to the Agios Nikolaos church. Near to the church is a view point from where you can see the Kourtaliotiko waterfalls. Then you will follow the pathway from the waterfalls along the river to the bottom of the gorge.

On the way you will meet remains of the old hippie houses. We will come out in front of the old olive mill. Then you continue walking through the fields until the Venetian bridge. After a short break for a snack near the bridge or a short swimming in the little lake of the river you can take the right side of the river and continue up to the hills of the gorge. On the way you will enjoy the spectacular views down the gorge until the views open to the view down to the delta of the Megalopotamos river.

The gorge ends at the sea creating a small lake surrounded by palm trees, at Preveli beach. The beach of Preveli is one of the most famous beaches in Crete, beautiful and romantic and there you will have 2-3 hours time for sunbathing, swimming or having a lunch. From Preveli beach you can return back to Plakias by boat.

Kourtaliotis river is located in the southern part of Rethymno prefecture. Begins from the Koxare village and flows to the south of the island.

The river has been named Kourtaliotis, after the homonymous gorge, where when the blowing strong wind, sounds like whistling sounds as the air passes between the rocks and sounds like a Kourtali (Krotala) hitting each other.

Kourtaliotis river springs are from five major sources that form a waterfall of 40 meters, where the church of St. Nicholas is located. Tradition says that the saint touched by the hand the cliff and immediately plenty of water started to flow, from the points he touched with each finger, with reference to the five sources of the river.