The Gorge of Agia Irini (St. Irene), is located in Selinos Province, west of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains), 43 km from Chania. It has taken its name from the hamlet of Agia Eirini, located near its entrance. It is a signalized hiking gorge,7,5 km long and takes about 3 hours to pass through it. Its difficulty degree is 2 (easy enough) and its altitude difference is 580 m.
It is a Gorge of unparalleled beauty and vegetation with many vertical passages, open almost all year round. It is worth mentioning that after the Gorge of Samaria, the Agia Irini Gorge is the second most important one in Chania, with many visitors every year.
Inside it, you can meet many species of animals such as the Cretan kri-kri and many rare species of trees and herbs such as dittany.
The southern entrance of the Agia Irini Gorge, is only 5 km away from the beautiful beach and the village of Sougia.
In the surrounding area there is a beautiful church of Christ built in 1358 ad. And the temple of Agios Georgios (St. George) built in 1460 ad, as well as other remarkable monuments and attractions worth seeing.
A little further to the south, are the ancient towns of Elyros, Lissos and Poikilassos.
