The gorge of Eligas (not Ilingas which is another gorge close to Hora Sfakion) runs very close and parallel to the gorge of Samaria, separated only by a narrow mountain range. It is half has long but starts at a higher altitude at the foot of Pachnes (click here to see the beginning). This means that it is much steeper. It is also much more difficult and I discourage anyone from attempting it without a guide. Hardly anybody ever ventures in it and the nature is really undisturbed. The gorge is full of trees, mainly pine and cypresses but also wild fig trees and some olive trees. Particularly fascinating, at higher altitude are the cypresses growing out of the vertical cliffs.