Aradhena Gorge - recommendations & directions

Hi All,

Looking into doing Aradhena Gorge instead of Samaria. Anyone have thoughts on which is better? I prefer the shorter as we don't have much time on Crete. We are also planning on visiting Vikos Gorge in the North.

I have heard directions that you can hike from Loutro up into the hills meeting up with the gorge about midway. You then follow the gorge down and end at Maramar for the boat back. Anyone heard of doing it this way or is it better to hike up the gorge from Maramar and then overland it back to Loutro.

Many thanks!
L