Chochlakies, Siteia

Chochlakies (Χοχλακιές) is a small village located in the easternmost part of Crete, in the Sitia province. It is known for its beautiful valley surrounded by bare hills, a narrow gorge leading to a sandy beach called Karoumes (Καρούμες), and a handful of old traditional houses clustered around the peripheral road leading from Palaikastro to Zakros (Ζάκρος).

Tourism and Accessibility

Tourism has not yet made its mark on Chochlakies, and the few visitors who come do so mainly to walk to the coast or follow the path leading to Kato Zakros (Κάτω Ζάκρος). Accommodation in Chochlakies is nearly impossible as there are no tourist facilities. Even caravans do not have easy access to the small village as they risk getting stuck in its narrow streets. However, it is a place worth a trip, even if only for a day, if you are willing to enjoy the simple atmosphere of one of the last unspoiled corners of Crete. It is about a 25-minute drive from Xerokampos (Ξερόκαμπος) in the direction of Palaikastro.

Chochlakies Gorge and Karoumes Beach

The Chochlakies Gorge, also known as Karoumes Gorge, is located in one of the most remote areas of the island, near Zakros. It collects water through the Flega stream from the Chochlakies plain and carries it to the sea. The route starts from the village of Chochlakies, where signs direct you to the gorge. Near the village, there is a small stone bridge and a little further on, a beautiful restored watermill. Initially, you walk through olive groves and soon enter the gorge with its sparse vegetation and bare vertical rocks, which ends at the beautiful beach of Karoumes.

The gorge is about 3.5 km long and has water for most of the winter. The route, which is part of the E4 European Path, usually takes an hour, as does the return. The route along the stream is fascinating, as the gorge with its high rocks winds between the mountains. In spring, you will see small lakes and a huge variety of plants. Near the exit, the high walls give way to a small valley that turns into an important wetland with reeds in winter. In various places around the area, there are wells, terraces from old cultivations, and traces of Minoan buildings, the most famous of which is the fortification on a hill above the gorge and the cave of Spiliara (Σπηλιάρα).

Watermill of Chochlakies

The Sitia province, due to having many running waters from many springs, had watermills in several places. Almost every community had one or more watermills, in contrast to most of Eastern Crete, which had many windmills due to the lack of water. One of the best-preserved watermills in the province, which has survived to this day and stands in an enviable condition, is the watermill in Chochlakies. The watermill of Chochlakies is built at the eastern exit of the village, right on the path that leads to the Chochlakies Gorge and Karoumes Beach. This is why it catches the eye of hikers who pass by it.

The mill is built on the south bank of the Karoumes stream, and its builder has taken advantage of the natural slope of the hillside. At the top of the building is the mill with its stone trough and the “zouri” that led the water to the wheel. Just below the mill, as a continuation of the building, there is the miller’s house, which the miller used as a residence and as a storage space. The mill is built entirely with the stone of the area, and on its outer side, it bears an embedded lithoglyphic inscription. This illegible inscription informs us about the year of construction and the builders. Specifically, it reads “Expense of architects M. Tsichli A. Pidik. Em. Dermizakis year 1919”.

The entire building has undergone good maintenance on its exterior, which looks very neat. Going down from the makeshift path on the slope, you reach the ground floor of the mill and can enter the room of the miller’s house. Inside, the visitor can see the impressive ceiling made of thick logs, thinner wood, and straw with clay, characteristic of the way ceilings were made in the past, in an era not so far from our own, before the invasion of cement.

Settlement: Key Points

Location: Chochlakies is located in the easternmost part of Crete, in the Sitia province.
Historical Significance: The area has a rich history, with evidence of Minoan settlements and a well-preserved watermill dating back to 1919.
Natural Beauty: Chochlakies is known for its beautiful valley, gorge, and sandy beach called Karoumes.
Tourism: Tourism has not yet significantly impacted the village, making it an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
Accessibility: The village is accessible by car from Xerokampos, and the gorge can be explored on foot.

Population: