Crete tourist guide

The road through Kourtaliotiko will be closed

2025-10-18 19:34:39

News from the Rethymno region will further complicate life for those trying to reach Crete's southern coast near Plakias. One of the most spectacular north-south roads, through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, will be closed at the end of October. This is due to work to prevent rock slides.

This decision, as Maria Lioni, Vice-Governor of Rethymno, assures, is "absolutely necessary" and dictated by safety concerns. The budget allocates €536,000 for so-called clearing works, meaning the removal of stones and boulders that "hang" over the road and pose a real threat to the safety of those driving through the gorge.

This decision means a return to disruptions for drivers heading to popular destinations like Plakias, Damnoni, and others in the area. The main route will be the Kotsifou Gorge, which itself recently reopened after lengthy renovations involving rock removal. This represents a Cretan "infrastructure carousel": while one gorge is "under renovation," the other takes over all traffic.

The exact closure date and duration of the work have not yet been announced; everything will depend on weather conditions and, as always in Greece, the pace of work. The initial goal is simple: to complete the work quickly and efficiently, with disruptions lasting as short as possible.

However, cleaning and securing the gorge walls remains a temporary solution. For several years, both the Kotsifou and Kourtaliotiko gorges have been regularly closed alternately following rockslides. Increasing traffic and overuse of infrastructure are placing an increasing burden on nature. This has led to a controversial proposal to build a tunnel.

While many see this solution as a necessary evil, the authorities of the Agios Vasiliou municipality in the region point out that, in the current situation, it's the only solution to alleviate the overused roads. A tender has already been announced for the tunnel project, with a budget of €2.35 million earmarked for this phase.

The irony, however, is that the pursuit of safe and seamless communication between the north and south of the island will likely result in the destruction of one of the most beautiful natural areas in the Rethymno region. To protect this natural heritage, it will have to be partially destroyed. Until the tunnel is built, the majestic, towering rocks of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge will remain a sight to behold as you drive through.

Gosia,  2025-10-18 19:34:39

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