AGIA IRÍNI GORGE...
is located in north-west Crete, in Lefka Ori.
The gorge starts near the village of Agia Irini and it ends near
the village of Sougia. It's 8 km long and 45-500 metres deep, in a
forested area with steep mountain cliffs, and is easy to walk. In
1866, 1,000 women and children escaped from the Turks through this
gorge.
The walk from Agia Irini to Sougia takes a total of 4 hours and can
be done throughout the year, provided that it hasn't rained in the
preceding days. The path in the gorge was improved considerably a
few years ago. The path is easy to follow with plenty of shade.
There are several resting places where you can also get
water.
Although the gorge of Agia Irini is less spectacular than the gorge
of Samaria it is far less crowded and very beautiful.
old tree in the gorge
HOW TO GET THERE
The most convenient way to do this walk from
Sougia is to either take the public bus to Hania in the early
morning and get off at the entrance of the gorge (the driver will
know where to stop) or to take a taxi there.
If you have a car, you can also park at the entrance and come back
by bus or taxi from Sougia. You can even try to hitchhike the way
back. We did so and it worked well.
THE CACHE...
...is hidden at one of the following
coordinates:
N35 19.308 E23 50.571
N35 18.714 E23 50.327
N35 17.929 E23 50.107
N35 17.394 E23 49.862
If you start at N35 19.760 E23 50.218 (parking
available), you will pass all these points on your walk through the
gorge. You will easily recognize the right spot. Find the cache
behind a small altar (see picture) on the left side of the trail.
Don't hesitate to have a look at the spoiler picture
(visit link).
Good luck and enjoy your visit!
More caches on Crete
Agia Sofía Cave(visit link), Agia Iríni Gorge
(visit link), Ágii Patéres - The Cave of the
99 Holy Fathers (visit link), Ménies Bay (visit link), Highway to Hell - Cave of
Tsanís - Earthcache (visit link)
Small note on cache maintenance: OMILOS has
graciously offered to assist. Thanks!