The spectacular, verdant gorge of Patsos is located in the inland area of the Prefecture of Rethymnon, at the north-west part of the Municipality of Amari. It is a beautiful gorge with a small river running through it. It has been developed for the visitors’ ease of walking, by the Forest Authority.
It is 1.5 kilometres long and the walk requires 2 hours in total,including the return to the entrance. The elevation difference between the highest point and the entrance reaches 240 metres.
Inside the gorge there are designated rest areas and a bird watching hide. The charms of the gorge are numerous: the huge plane trees and the luxuriant vegetation that grows in the watercourse; the imposing high walls; the chapel of Agios Antonios, which is built in a niche of a large cave.
The altar of an ancient open air sanctuary used to stand next to the chapel; the god Hermes (Kraneos Ermis), protector of shepherds, forests and the fertility of nature, as well as the god Pan, were worshipped there in Antiquity.
Geosite
Patsos Gorge or Agios Antonios Gorge is formed in limestones and dolomites of the "Tripolis" unit. Although not very long, only 1.5 km, it is quite impressive and representative of Crete due to its rich vegetation of plane trees and endemic plants, the presence of water for most of the year, and the various forms of karst erosion it encompasses. At the beginning of the gorge lies the cave-like chapel of Agios Antonios, and there are facilities for the relaxation and recreation of visitors. From the middle to its exit, small and shallow ponds with impressive waterfalls are formed. The gorge ends at the technical lake of the Potamoi Dam.
The geosite description is a result of the deliverable of the research project Joint Innovative Activities for Outdoor Tourism-JoinOut. The project entitled "Partnership of Innovative Rural Tourism Actions" and distinctive title: "JoInOuT", is implemented within the framework of the Action "Cooperative Innovation Formations/SCC" - 2nd Call: Businesses" and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by National Resources in the context of the Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPANEK)" of the NSRF 2014-2020" (Project code: ΓΓ2CL-0359457).
