The River That Flows Backwards. Crete’s Hidden Gem You’ve Never Heard Of!

Discover the wonders of Crete with the hidden gem - the River That Flows Backwards in Heraklion. Explore this unique natural phenomenon in the beautiful municipality of Viannos!

Today I will take you on a tour of one of the most unknown and impressive natural treasures of Crete, the Anapodaris River and Anapodaris Gorge.

This river, the longest in length and quantity of water on the island, extends from the south of the prefecture of Irakleon and ends at the sea, between Tsoutsouras and Keratokambos.

There, the river forms a gorge of unique wild beauty.
The rocks that rise around it are gigantic, like natural sculptures depicting human and animal forms.
Water erosion over the centuries has created passages that look like something out of an ancient myth.
The sight is awe-inspiring and makes every visitor feel small in front of the power of nature.

Access to the gorge is difficult and dangerous.
To get here, you'll need a reliable 4x4 vehicle and a lot of courage.
The route goes through steep slopes and narrow dirt roads, but the reward is a unique experience that few have encountered

Nature here is inaccessible, pristine and full of mystery Anapodaris has become known for the myths that surround it.
It is said that during the revolution against the Ottomans, the rebel Daskalogiannis escaped from his pursuers through the gorge, when suddenly the waters of the river began to flow backwards.
The locals believed that the river had a secret, divine power.

Another legend tells of the giant rocks that form human and animal figures on the banks of the river.
These rocks are said to be petrified Titans and ancient creatures that had taken refuge there during the Battle of the Titans, trying to escape the wrath of the gods.
Their figures stand there eternally, giving the gorge a sense of ancient power and mystery.

But the story doesn't end there. A local farmer's pigs once escaped into the gorge, reproducing over time. Now, these pigs roam the wild, adding another layer of mystery to the legend of Anapodaris.

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