Havgas Gorge is the only large gorge in the Lassithi Plateau, formed between the elevations of Katharios Lakkos (1190 m) and Katharia Kefala (1269 m) of the Dikti mountain range. The Havgas or Xenikos River runs through the gorge, collecting the waters of the Katharo Plateau, flowing through the Lassithi Plateau (where it is known as the Megalos Potamos, or “Great River”), and carrying them to the Chonos sinkhole. From there, the waters exit through the Fleves of Kastamonitsa and, via the Aposelemis River, end up at the Aposelemis Dam.
The name “Havgas”, along with its variations (e.g., havgoudi), is very common for gorges in Eastern Crete, and simply means gorge.

The gorge has a total length of approximately 4 kilometers and is relatively gentle and accessible to everyone along the lower section, where it opens up and forms large scree slopes on the sides. Further along, the gorge narrows abruptly, and the trail ascends until it reaches the beautiful Neraidokolymbos lake, located at the base of a small waterfall with a perfectly round boulder. Neraidokolymbos blocks further progress through the gorge, and to continue, one must backtrack a few meters and follow the E4 trail, which runs along the side of the gorge and leads to the Katharo Plateau.

The landscape within the gorge, which is part of the E4 European long-distance trail, is truly pristine, as only a few lucky individuals choose to explore it. If you decide to hike through it, follow the most common route — in reverse — by entering from its exit, next to the Agios Georgios reservoir, via dirt roads that begin in the village of Agios Konstantinos.
The slopes of the gorge are covered with abundant tree vegetation, primarily maples and kermes oaks (prinos). The river only carries water after heavy rainfall, while the Neraidokolymbos pool holds water year-round.