A narrow cliff road through Kotsifou Canyon
Kotsifou Canyon is a gorge located in the prefecture of Rethymno, on the south coast of the Greek island of Crete. It’s one of the most beautiful gorges of the island.
The road passes through narrow and steep cliffs. It’s paved with many narrow sections. There are some narrow sections -scarcely wide enough for two cars- where if two vehicles have to pass each other, one might have to reverse for some kilometers of winding narrow road to get to a place wide enough to pass. It shouldn’t be attempted by those who don't know how to reverse. With total length of 1.800 meters and some slopes, almost vertical, reaching the height of 600 meters, Kotsifou gorge is very narrow at the beginning, approximately 10 meters, but it widens afterwards.
The road links Kanevos and Sellia. It’s pretty short (only 4.3 km long). It’s a beautiful drive and breathtaking scenery. The road here runs through a narrow slit in the mountains and there is huge wind: you must really hold on to everything because if you don't it will fly out of your hands. In the heat of the cretan summer, when temperature reaches easily 40° C, you are really grateful there is a canyon you can visit by car. In winter, an impressive waterfall, 20 meters tall, is formed here, while in summer the riverbed is completely dried.
The drive is definitely worth it. A drive not to be missed! There are many excellent photo opportunities. Don't forget your camera with lots of film/memory, fully charged batteries and an empty memory card! It's really speechless when you come in this canyon. It's windy but really worth it to stop in the parking place and take photos. Inside the gorge, with its magical landscape surrounded by tall, vertical, imposing rocks, there is a small chapel of Agios Nikolaos, built inside a stone cavity.