Rouvas Wooden Bridge – Rouvas Gorge loop from Community of Zaros

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Rouvas Wooden Bridge – Rouvas Gorge loop from Community of Zaros

Moderate

4.8

(393)

1,225

hikers

Rouvas Wooden Bridge – Rouvas Gorge loop from Community of Zaros

04:06

9.04km

590m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Last updated: August 1, 2026

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Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

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Waypoints

Start point

Hotel

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815 m

Rouvas Gorge (Agios Nikolaos Trail)

Highlight • Gorge

Very nice gorge trail.
A bit of fitness and sure-footedness would be quite good. In the middle of summer, however, only heat-tested people should go, as you can also walk some sections in the sun. There is water at the top, but I don't know if the wells are of drinking water quality. Please do not drink the water from the stream, as I have often seen dead goats lying in it.

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1.19 km

Rouvas Gorge

Highlight • Gorge

A beautiful and worth seeing gorge near Zaros that ends in the Rouvas forest. There are three ways to get started: at Votomos Lake, at the Eleonora Country Village Hotel and at the St. Nicholas Monastery. There are around 6 km and 550 meters of altitude to overcome (and back). At the beginning it's steep and sometimes you have to use your hands to climb. The last two kilometers are easy and you climb comfortably in the shade. The path is well marked with red dots, arrows and crosses. At the end there is a clearing and a small chapel, a spring where you can fill up your water and, if you are there on Sunday - crowds of locals grilling their sheep (they obviously know a gravel road for off-road vehicles).

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2.11 km

Bench With a View of Rouvas Gorge

Highlight • Viewpoint

Anyone who has reached this point will already have a few meters of altitude in their legs and the most beautiful part of the climb is about to begin. The view from here of the path we have covered so far and of Zaros is worth a break.

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2.66 km

Rouvas Wooden Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The thing stands... holds... does what it's supposed to!

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2.71 km

Rouvas Gorge

Highlight • Gorge

Simply a highlight

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4.40 km

Agios Ioannis Chapel

Highlight • Religious Site

The chapel of Agios Ioánnis is the destination of the hike through the Rouwas Gorge. It is located on a small plateau at 938 meters and can also be reached by car. A large rest area with many picnic benches and fresh spring water invites you to take a leisurely break. Particularly beautiful: Here are some of the oldest oak trees in Crete.

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4.49 km

Rouvas Forest Plateau

Highlight • Forest

It's just beautiful here on the plateau!

Shady spots, tables, silence.

amazing!!!

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7.34 km

Rouvas Gorge

Highlight • Gorge

Very beautiful and impressive gorge. Sturdy shoes are a must. Once you get to the top, there are beautiful table and bench combos in the shade as well as an open shelter with a fireplace.

We didn't descend again but continued up and descended further around the outside via a few switchbacks. We didn't meet anyone on the road except for a few sheep and goats.

However, this means that around 10 km turns into just over 20 km with over 900 meters of elevation.

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