In collaboration with the Psiloritis Geopark, Pierra Creta proposes day trips in the wider area of the event, so that participants can gain a more general view of the sights, settlements and gastronomy of Psiloritis. Information on these tours can be found below, while you can download the eGEO Discover Android apps to navigate the trails.
Heraklion – Tylissos – Gonies – Anogia
We start from Heraklion and from there, we head westwards to Tylissos where, with a small detour through the old national road and after 3km, we reach Voulismeno Aloni, one of the most famous climbing fields. Following the road back to Tylissos, we stop at its archaeological site (having checked the opening hours on the internet). Then, we continue to the village of Gonies, where we can follow the short geotrail of Gonies (Download the Android app eGEO Discover | Gonies, sadly is available only in Greek). We continue with Anogeia as our final destination, with the possibility of making a stop in Sisarcha for coffee or tsikoudia.
Anogeia – Nida
Taking the road from Anogeia towards the exit of Heraklion, we follow the signs for Ideon Andron-Nida and, after about 5km, we come across a sign for the geotrail “Mygia’s trail” (Download the Android app eGEO Discover | Mygia, sadly is available only in Greek). We can follow it. After “Mygia’s trail” we continue south and, after 4km going towards Zominthos and a small detour, we will find ourselves in Agios Hyakinthos, the patron saint of lovers. Returning to the course of the Anogeia- Nida road, we drive for about 5.5 km and reach the Nida Plateau, on the western edges of which lies Ideon Andro cave, where the mythical Zeus was raised. We can reach Ideon Andro on foot. If we still have time left at the end of the tour, we can drive to the Skinakas Observatory (closed to visitors) – to admire the view before returning to Anogeia for food and rest.
Axos – Zoniana – Krana – Livadia – Axos
Today’s route begins in Axos – one of the most important villages of the mountainous Mylopotamos – where vaulted tombs, the temple of Aphrodite, parts of ancient walls, nine (9) Byzantine churches, and the Wood Sculpture Museum (having checked the opening hours online). In the center of the village, we find the Church of Agia Irini (14th century), Michael the Archangel (15th century), and a medieval fountain that still works today. We continue towards Zoniana to visit “Sphendoni Cave” (having checked the opening hours on the internet). From Zoniana, we drive towards the villages of Krana and Livadia, where we stop for coffee and then turn left towards Kalyvos, where we will visit the village’s Byzantine church. We return from the same road to the Diskouri Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Crete. From there, we continue on the road to Veni and head again to Axos, where we can rest and enjoy lunch.
Mountainous Mylopotamos – Chonos – Drosia – Vossakos
Today’s route starts from any of the villages of Mountainous Mylopotamos. Through the provincial road Axos- Aimonas, we head towards the village of Chonos and stop at the impressive geosite ” Nature’s Sculptures”, an area where rainwater flowing on the carbonate rocks has created works of art. From there, heading to the village of Drosia, with its Ottoman fountain, we continue west to the village of Kampos Doxarou. There, if we want, we can follow the “Doxaro – folds of Vossakos” geo-trail through olive groves, admiring the open-air “museum” of the impressive folds that were formed during the creation of the mountains. The route is circular, so we return to the starting point. Our return can follow the Mourtzana- Garazo provincial road, with a stop at the traditional settlements of these villages and rest in one of their cafes.
Heading to Zaros
Taking the road to Heraklion and right before Gazi, we turn right towards Kroussonas, where we can visit the mountainous village. Then we pass through the villages of Sarchos, Asites, and Prinias in the direction of Agia Varvara. Before we arrive, we can stop to admire from afar the geosite “Grandma’s pies”. Then we pass through Gergeri, where we can stop for coffee and then continue our journey to Zaros. We take our walk around Lake Votomos and try the trouts in a local tavern. If we are interested, a trail starts from the lake that leads through the gorge of Agios Nikolaos (distance 5km) to the enchanting forest of Rouvas, after about 2.5 hours.
Heading to Margarites – Eleftherna – Arkadi
With a direction towards Perama (from Rethymno or Anogeia/ mountainous Mylopotamos), we continue to follow the road to Margarites. In the village of Margarites, we can walk through the traditional part of the settlement but also, discover the village’s rich tradition in the art of pottery, as can be seen from the numerous pottery workshops that exist in the village. Then we will continue our route to Eleftherna, where we will visit the archaeological site of ancient Eleftherna and the impressive museum. Then, we arrive at the historic Arkadi Monastery, where we can take a short tour and visit its museum. Throughout our route, we will find many cafes and taverns where we can stop for rest and food.
Heading to the traditional settlements of Mylopotamos
Starting from the villages of mountainous Mylopotamos, the day begins with a visit to the settlement of Agios Ioannis where there is the late Byzantine church of Panagia Faneromeni. From there, we drive to the traditional settlement of Avdanites. After the Abdanites, we will go to the Venetian settlement of Kastri to see the late Byzantine church of Panagia. We return from the same road and turn left towards Episkopi, where the Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis is located. We return by the same road, pass Mourtzana, and reach Melidoni, Melidoni with its traditional settlement, northwest of which, at a distance of about 2km, lies the cave of Melidoni (having checked the opening hours online). We return to the village of Drosia for rest and food. We continue towards Chonos and the impressive geosite ” Nature’s Sculptures”, an area where rainwater flowing on the carbonate rocks has created works of art.
Heading to Amari (2 days)
Our destination is Amari, a green fertile valley of unique beauty and history at the foot of Mount Samitos and Mount Kedros. Heading towards Arkadi Monastery, we continue following a route heading southwards and the first village we come across is Thronos. Descending, we will visit the Asomaton Monastery and then head to the village of Monastiraki, where we can visit Byzantine temples as well as the important Minoan settlement just outside the village (having checked the opening hours online). Then, we pass through the villages of Labiotes and Petrochori and reach Ano Meros, where a small Folk Museum operates. In 1.5 km, we will reach Drygies and in about 3 km the village of Vryses. We continue to Gerakari where we can stop for food and rest. Then, we proceed towards Meronas – after passing through Elenes, where we stop to see the church of Panagia and its fountains to cool off. The last stop is Nefs Amari, a characteristic traditional settlement that preserves its traditional architecture. For accommodation, we can choose one of the many welcoming accommodations in the area. The second day starts with two options:
The first option concerns partially crossing Patsos Gorge (if the weather allows it) located in the northwest. Its length reaches 2km, and we will need about 2 hours – including resting and returning – to cross it to the point of the viewpoint. Inside the gorge, there are areas to stop and rest, where we can have a picnic as well as observe nature and birds. Very impressive is the small church of Agios Antonios which is built at the entrance of the gorge. The longest route in Patsos Gorge is not accessible at this time. In the village of Patsos, there is a winery, which can be visited after booking an appointment.
Alternatively, the second day may have the village of Zaros as a final destination. We cross the beautiful region of Amari and the villages of Fourfouras – Kouroutes – Nithavri – Platanos – Lochria and then continue our route to Zaros. We take our walk around the lake of Zaros (or Votomos) and try the trout in a local tavern.