We begin our walk at the Arkadi monastery, a historical symbol of the Cretan fight for freedom against Turkish domination.
Passing under big umbrella pines, we continue along goat paths, field tracks and cross-country.
We see some chapels, one of them still has remains of frescoes. Following a riverbed we end up in the traditional village of Pikris with its beautifully restored Venetian archway.
A good walk as a starter!

The cliffs of the Prassano Gorge are huge and imposing.
We'll see them from different angles. Vultures have their homes there in inaccessible caves. If we are lucky they will be setting off in the morning, slowly rising and using thermals in the air.
Further on the walk leads through hilly landscape, an area with varied green vegetation. In Chromonasteri we see a former Venetian palace, now being converted into an army museum.

This route will take us through fascinating countryside.
It is an area of abundant and colourful vegetation.
We walk through the imposing and very green gorge of Mili - a valley of former mills - crossing a small stream several times.
In the gorge there is the deserted village of Mili, almost covered up by the lush vegetation!
Further we walk along tracks and mule-paths in hilly surroundings. Later splendid views of the town of Rethymnon and the coast will be the reward for our efforts.

Five different villages are part of this interesting walk.
The walk starts in Margarites, known as a pottery village since old times. Walking along a beautiful green river valley we come across interesting old wells. The valley has been used for agriculture; now it is mainly overgrown.
We will see the oldest bridge in Crete (circa 450 B.C.) and Roman burial caves, cut into the rocks. We are in woody surroundings with beautiful views of the IDA mountains.

Old stony footpaths through most authentic Cretan landscape, some villages and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains are the main ingredients of this beautiful walking route.
One of the highlights of the walk is the ruin of an old Venetian tower, almost hidden in a small oak-wood.
Our coffee-break will be in the traditional typical Cretan 'kaffeneion' of the village Kato Malakki.

A short visit to a small monastery in the village Roustika introduces this walk.
Then we follow a very old mule path and walk through a beautiful valley. Walking through the Moundros gorge offers you an experience you will not lightly forget.
In between huge rocks and following the bends of a riverbed we make our way under oleander bushes and plane trees.
The bells of goats and sheep welcome and accompany us.

This walk is particularly interesting for its unusual geological landscape, splendid views and an abundance of flowers.
From Kare we walk down into a valley where fossils of large shells tell us about the long ago past when Crete was still part of the bottom of the sea. The mosaic floor of a former basilica shows us something of the history of the area.
After a short and in some places steep climb, we have splendid views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
As always, the walk ends in a friendly tavern.