Koxare: Caves and the route to Kourtaliotiko Gorge

Koxare is a traditional settlement in the Rethymno regional unit, surrounded by the wild natural landscape of Crete’s hinterland. The Beligré and Chonos caves, a route to the entrance of Kourtaliotiko Gorge, and the Koxaron–Moni Prevelis provincial road provide concrete geographical reference points when choosing a destination. The road leads to Koxare and connects the settlement with the historic monastery and the southern coasts of the regional unit.

Understanding Koxare as a destination

When planning your trip, consider these features as distinct reference points. The description of Koxare as a traditional settlement and its wild natural landscape provide a sense of the place; the caves can be compared by their elevation. The route and the provincial road represent different connections: one leads to the entrance of the gorge, while the other connects to the monastery and southern coasts. When choosing a destination, you can weigh the character of the landscape and the specific connections separately.

Two caves, two elevations

Beligré Cave is located in Koxare at an elevation of 470 metres, while Chonos Cave is at 1,100 metres. The difference between the two elevations is 630 metres; Beligré is therefore considerably lower than Chonos. This comparison gives you a tangible sense of the caves’ different elevations and a concrete geographical reference point if caves and landscape influence your choice of destination. The two names refer to two separate sites at different elevations.

Route to Kourtaliotiko Gorge

The Agouseliana–Spili route passes through Koxare and continues to the entrance of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Unlike the caves, which can be distinguished by their respective elevations, the route connects the settlement to a specific point at the gorge entrance. If Kourtaliotiko Gorge is part of your stay in Crete, you can take this connection into account when choosing a destination. The stated visiting period is January to December. Check local conditions before your trip so you can plan the route to suit your travel dates.

Road connections around Koxare

The Koxaron–Moni Prevelis provincial road offers a different point of reference. It leads to Koxare and connects the settlement with the historic monastery and the southern coasts of the regional unit. Unlike the gorge route, this road provides connections to these named destinations, while the route through Koxare leads to the entrance of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. If you are considering these destinations for your trip to Crete, Koxare can be understood in terms of its connections within the regional unit. This can help you weigh whether the gorge route or the connection to the monastery and coasts is more important for your plans.

Find a hotel in Koxare

Consider whether the caves, the route to the gorge, or the road connection to the monastery and coasts is most relevant to your trip. A hotel in Koxare is an option to search for if you want this character of the place to frame your stay.

Discover more destinations: Keramota, Arkadi, Sfakaki, Somatas, Mikro Metochi, Prínos, Myrthios, Loutra

For the regional travel overview: Rethymno.