Topoliano gorge

The gorge of Topolia (Topolianó) is located in the inland area of Kissamos, at the western end of the Chania Prefecture. 

It begins at the village of Topolia and after approximately 1.500 metres it ends up at a verdant valley, next to Koutsomatados village. The walk down the gorge, which is fairly easy, requires about one hour.

However short in length, the gorge is imposing and its landscape is wild. The vertical walls reach the height of 300 metres and the width of the stream bed varies between 5 and 50 metres.

The watercourse is thick with plane trees, oleanders and other plants typical of the Cretan countryside. A large number of birds find shelter in the crannies, cracks and caves of the otherwise bare walls of the gorge.

The numerous shallow caves and hollows in the walls are characteristic of this gorge. A small section of the cave of Agia Sofia, inside which a chapel of Agia Sofia is built, is open to visitors; it is located near to the main road.