Skotini Gorge, Finokalia

A relatively small but impressive gorge with many changes in its landscape is the unknown gorge of Skoteini in the area of the settlement of Finokalia, Epano Merabelo in Lasithi.

Although we can plan various routes, in this particular one, its starting and ending point is the small, picturesque, stone-built and almost uninhabited today settlement of Finokalia.

The best time to do this excursion is November-May when nature is at its best as you can see in the photos, since we did the route in mid-January.

From there to start (1st option) you can either take the path that leads directly to the canyon, the first part of it inside the canyon is quite accessible, without great difficulties due to dense vegetation. As a second option you can either move west to the end of the village, follow the old stone path, exit the road, near the Metochi of Agios Nikolaos, and from there walk to the old monastery of Agios Andreas.

At the end of this dirt road you will see a spring and right next to the stone fountain, you can see the path and following it you will find access to the coast.

We chose the first option of the route and entered directly into the canyon going downhill and reaching the coast we walk from east to west.

Skoteini Gorge ends at the beach of Skoteini or Datserolenia which took its name from a woman, Eleni Datseri, who reportedly owned property in this secluded corner of Crete.

With few bright spots, mainly at the beginning and end of the canyon, the overall impression you will get from this is that it is a dark canyon. The name was not given to him by chance.

High walls of flat dark limestones dominate its space, while from one point upwards the “project” of keeping the canyon dark has been taken over by the trees.

Evidence of human presence, in the past, inside the canyon you will see low down where small caves were closed with stones creating mantras but also higher up meeting small water troughs carved in stones.

The scents of sage and oregano flood the Skoteini gorge with these two herbs growing literally everywhere in its bed and rocky sides. Be careful with the thousands of fennel that you will find on your way, even in tree dimensions, as this is a highly toxic plant that contact with it may cause you problems.

Keep in mind that there are no signs along the entire route, although it is difficult to get lost inside the gorge, but the path that runs along the coast is also easily accessible.

The beach, although it has rocks at its entrance, offers an enjoyable swim since it is spotlessly clean and completely secluded.

You need to be careful from here on out as you cannot move because of rocks and cliffs very close to the sea but you will have to go down and up depending on the terrain, passing through dry and barren landscapes as well as places with signs of old crops , until you reach the stone-built fountain.

Before reaching the beach (about 100m) we will turn left (west) and very soon we will find ourselves on the path that follows the coastline (or correspondingly returning from the beach we turn right).

The route offers several thrills since the images you will see and the aromas of the herbs you will meet along the way are worth the effort you made to get there.

Immediately after the stone fountain we go up the slope on a dirt road, meeting in 10′ (from the source) the Monastery of Agios Andreas where we take a half hour break since the scenery is unique. It was a place of ascetics, although it has no monks now, but it is always neat and clean. Access is generally difficult here but the peace and view of the area definitely compensates.

From there we continue to climb the dirt road, we pass in front of the meteorological station of Finokalia and immediately we see in front of us the settlement of Finokalia which is also the end of the route (for the last 30′, consult the map we provide).