Portela Canyon

1 February visit with Vasilis Vagias and Yiannis Skontinakis to Portela canyon. Entrance at Hondros village, exit at Keratokambos, south Heraklion.

Portela carries the highest water volume of any canyon in its region (Kavousi, Tsoutsouros, Arvi). 25 technical descents, longest 30m, altitude drop 340m. Legendary locally and one of the best-known technical canyons in Crete alongside Ha and Arvi.

Geology: thin-bedded Pindos limestone, intersected by five faults dividing it into three distinct sections with varied vegetation. Unusual large mud deposits from the “Viannos” formation upstream. The final rappel is on rotten rock that prevents continuation beyond it.