Kotsifos Gorge

The Kotsifou Gorge (Greek Φαράγγι κοτσιφού, " Blackbird ravine " ) is located in the Regional District of Rethymno on the Greek island of Crete. It is just to the west of the canyon Kourtaliotiko the second major breakthrough of a mountain stream through the Kouronaos massif to the south coast of the island on the territory of the municipality Finikas. Both canyons are traversable on roads.

The road that leads from the north through the gorge, was paved only in the 1960s. It connects the district capital of Rethymno with both the port city of Sfakia and to the tourist town of Plakias. The creek through the gorge normally results in the warm season, no water.

The gorge is a local weather divide in the north wind. South towards the sea the wind is amplified by katabatic winds and jet effect, north of the canyon, it is at the same time in the wind set-up of the mountains often almost windless. Also, the amount of rainfall and frequency is very different.

The northern entrance to the gorge is height near the village of Kanevos to approximately 450 meters. After a few switchbacks leads to a constriction where the overhanging rock walls seem almost to touch himself. Continue down the canyon widens and gives a view of the bay of Plakias. Left and right of the barren, 200 meters high walls of the gorge form a delightful contrast to the green landscape in the north.