(Nordic) Walking is one of the best ways to get to know a place!
Plakias in Southern Crete is a wonderful centre for walking. Set in a wide bay, the resort is still small, with unspoiled villages set in the hills behind it. A chain of mountains up to 3000ft overlook Plakias. The mountains isolate the area (road access is via two large and spectacular gorges) and have so far helped preserve its solitude and identity.
They also provide superb walking; a mixture of limestone ridges and fertile valleys. Two miles north of the coast the villages are not affected by tourism; the real Crete, with its rugged scenery, and the charm and hospitality of its citizens, will please the walker.
Our recommendation:
Walking a circular route from Levkogia, up to Timios Stavros (401 m) - mostly along an “agrotiki” road but also some tracks. It is possible to walk up to the summit of Timios Stavros (401 m) where the last bit is on a track. Here are walking sticks and sturdy shoes recommended. The view is excellent from the summit as well as the end of the road.
Other walk/routes:
- Monastery of Preveli, which, due to its isolated position, played an important role in Cretan revolts against occupying forces such as against the Nazis in World War II.
- One-and-a-half kilometres of level easy walking to the mill followed by one kilometre climbing steeply from the mill to Mirthios.
- There are two roads into Plakias through the mountain range which lies to its north, both of which run through gorges - to the north of Plakias, the Kotsifos Gorge, and to the northeast, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge.
Contact
Address
Lamon Hotel,
Plakias 1,
Finikas 74060,
Greece
Phone
+30 28320 31425
