This year, access to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, in southern Rethymno, will be by ticket, since the goal is to protect the natural landscape, of particular natural beauty, but also the visitors themselves, from landslides that are not rare.
The ticket is set at 5 euros per visitor for one day, 15 euros per visitor for an annual pass, and 3 euros for students, while permanent residents of the Municipality of Agios Vasilios and other groups of the population who wish to cross it are exempt from paying the fee.
It is characteristic that today the number of visitors is uncontrolled, since there is no registration system, while according to an expert report, the upper limit that should exist is 1,000 people per day.
According to the Government Gazette, 70% of the revenue paid by visitors will be attributed to the Municipality, which will be responsible for the maintenance of the infrastructure and 30% will be used by OFYPEKA for actions to preserve and promote the biodiversity of the area
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge is located in the southern prefecture of Rethymno, in Crete, with its beginning near the village of Koxare. The gorge is formed between the mountains of Kouroupa and Xiro Oros and its walls are up to 600 meters high. Many caves are formed on the walls of the gorge. The gorge is crossed by the Kourtaliotis River, which flows into Preveli, where there is a palm forest. The name of the gorge may be due to the fact that the air when passing through the gorge sounds like rattles.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
