The Gorge (of) Orino or Canyon Red Butterfly is a canyon in southeastern

Crete Crete ( el, Κρήτη, translit=, Modern: , Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and ...

. It is located near the village of

Oreino, Lasithi Oreino ( el, Ορεινό) is a small village in Lasithi regional unit on Crete, Greece. It is situated 28 kilometers northeast of Ierapetra and lies 10 kilometers from the Cretan south coast. As of 2011, it is part of the Ierapetra municipality. ...

and is 5 km in length.

History

In 1993, there was a major fire and the canyon was in a state of disaster. In the years following, the green vegetation and the canyon have been fully restored. Before the fire, there were countless red butterflies (hence the name of the canyon). These butterflies still exist but have been reduced to a great extent. The canyon starts from the village of

Oreino Oreino ( el, Ορεινό) is a former municipality in the Kavala regional unit, East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the sout ...

and reaches

Koutsouras Koutsouras (Κουτσουράς) is a village in Lasithi regional unit, in Crete, Greece 22 kilometers east of Ierapetra. Its population is 818 (2001 est.). It was the headquarters of the municipality of Makry Gialos (''Dimos Makry Gialou'') and ...

about 21 kilometers east of Ierapetra. The Canyon Mountain has signs indicating the direction needed to be traveled. Despite these precautions, it is easy to get lost in the gorge.

Geography

The canyon can be divided into three parts. The first part is green with lush vegetation. In the second part is a mountainous region. In the third part, towards the end of the gorge, the gorge rises, providing an unobstructed view of the mountain. One characteristic of the gorge is its many small streams and small waterfalls. The course varies with temperature. In the summer, the course does not exceed four hours. However, in the winter, the course might take longer due to sources and waterfalls running.

Gallery

Φαράγγι Ορεινού 6717.jpg, View of the gorge Καταρράκτης Ορεινού 6729.jpg, Waterfall in Oreino Gorge Καταρράκτης Ορεινού.jpg, Waterfall in Oreino Gorge

References

Orino Gorge (Red butterflies's Canyon )

External links

{{commonscat-inline Gorges of Crete