Gorges, springs & lakes
Plakias is hemmed in by mountains, and the roads out go through them rather than around. You do not have to plan an excursion to see the best of this — you drive through it on the way to the supermarket.
Kotsifos gorge — 7 km
Nearly two kilometres of near-vertical rock, with cliffs up to six hundred metres above the road. It carries a great deal of water in winter and spring, and it is known for the number of Cretan endemic plants growing on its walls. Halfway along, the little church of Agios Nikolaos is built directly into a cavity in the rock — there is space to pull over.
Kourtaliotis gorge — 10 km
The other way out, and the more dramatic of the two. Three kilometres long, cliffs again around six hundred metres, and full of birds — it is part of the Natura 2000 network along with the lake at Preveli. The river runs under old bridges and over waterfalls on its way down to the palm grove at Preveli beach, so the two trips are really one story. There are steps down to the falls from a parking area on the road.
Argiroupoli — 24 km
A village built on the site of ancient Lappa, and the reason to go is water: springs run through the lower village under enormous plane trees, and the tavernas are built around them. It is ten degrees cooler than the coast and one of the better lunches on this side of the island. Roman-era remains and an ancient necropolis are a short walk away.
Patsos gorge — 31 km
A gorge you can actually walk into without equipment. A prepared path runs up it, manageable with children at least as far as the church of Agios Antonios, which is built into a shallow cave. Water runs here even in high summer and the trees are huge, so it is a genuine escape from the heat. Popular for picnics, and rightly.
Lake Kournas — 53 km
The largest natural lake on Crete, protected under Natura 2000, ringed by hills. You can swim, walk round it, hire a pedalo, or simply eat at one of the tavernas on the shore. It is the longest drive on this page and works best as a full day combined with the coast road.