- 80-year-old German tourist injured while hiking in Agia Irini Gorge
- Fire Brigade and rescue unit EMODE deployed with 10 responders
- Man was stabilized and carried to an accessible point for ambulance transfer
- Second German rescue this month, after a 74-year-old in Aradena Gorge (September 12)
- A reminder: Crete’s gorges are stunning but demand respect
The Agia Irini Gorge in Chania is one of Crete’s most beloved trails, lined with pine trees and echoing with bird song. For an 80-year-old German visitor, the walk turned difficult today, when he slipped and suffered a light-headed injury. He managed to call 112, and within minutes, firefighters from Kampanos and a specialized EMODE rescue team were on their way.
With ropes and stretchers, they reached him, stabilized his condition, and carried him carefully out to where an ambulance could take him to the hospital. His injuries are not considered serious, and thanks to quick communication and trained responders, the incident ended safely.
This is the second time in a few days that Chania’s gorges have tested hikers. On September 12, a 74-year-old German visitor had to be rescued from the Aradena Gorge after encountering difficulties. Both incidents underline how much attention Crete’s rugged terrain requires.
Walking Safely in Crete’s Gorges
Crete’s gorges are among the island’s treasures: wild, dramatic, and deeply rewarding for walkers. But they are also unpredictable. Visitors are reminded to:
- Avoid hiking alone, especially on challenging trails
- Carry water, proper footwear, and a fully charged phone
- Follow marked paths and give yourself time for the return route
- Know that 112 is the emergency number in Greece
The beauty of the Cretan landscape is best enjoyed with respect for nature, for the terrain, and for one’s own limits.
About Agia Irini Gorge
The Agia Irini Gorge lies on the western side of the White Mountains, about 46 kilometers from Chania, taking its name from the small village near its entrance. The gorge stretches 7.5 kilometers and usually takes around three hours to cross. Its stream flows south to Sougia, where the trail ends at a wide beach on the Libyan Sea — a natural reward for the effort.
Part of the European E4 trail, Agia Irini is included in the NATURA 2000 network and has been designated a Wildlife Refuge. It shelters the Cretan wild goat and provides habitats for countless species. Cypress, pine, maple, plane trees, and aromatic herbs like dittany line its slopes, creating a forested corridor rich in scents and shade.
History is never far away here: in the Ottoman period, rebels found refuge inside, and old paths such as the “Fygou” once served as escape routes toward Omalos. Byzantine chapels still stand among the rocks — the church of Christ (1358) and the ruined Agios Georgios (1460).
Today, Agia Irini is the second most visited gorge in Chania after Samaria. Unlike Samaria, it remains accessible for much of the year.