Daily Walks Routes 2013

Crossing a green river valley and using old footpaths, we are on our way to the ancient city of Eleftherna, situated imposingly on a huge rock.
Centuries-old olive trees grow here. Every year excavations are continuing in this, until now, rather unknown place.
Enjoying beautiful views on Mount Ida and the coastline, we slowly descend towards Pikris, where we enjoy a tasty lunch.  

During this walk we visit the Minoan cemetery of Armeni. It is still not known where the people who were buried here lived.
We walk in hilly surroundings along agricultural roads and partly cross-country.
It is an area with a large variety of trees, where oaks give us shade.
The views of the Lefka Ori and Mount Vrisinas are very rewarding!  

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 on we walk along tracks and mule paths.
Later splendid views of the town of Rethymnon and the coast will be the reward for our efforts.  

This walk takes us to the surroundings of Kaloniktis and Palelimnos, two villages of inland Crete which have kept their own character. In amongst the different shades of green we cross a small river and further on we pass a sheepfold, where the ringing of the bells of goats and sheep welcome us.
We walk on field roads and old footpaths, sometimes with wide views all around, then through bushy terrain. An area of natural beauty and colourful vegetation!  

Leaving Chromonasteri, we walk through a green and woody area towards Prasses.
We reach a spot where we see the huge and imposing cliffs of the Prassano Gorge. 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.
After coffee break, we continue through hilly landscape, while passing refreshing wells.  

This walk is particularly interesting for its unusual geological landscape 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.
After a short and in some places steep climb, we have splendid views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.  

Lush flora and picturesque villages, like Moundros and Kato Poros, surround us, as we make our way through this green part of the island, where the original Cretan character is still preserved.
It goes up and down again along stony foot paths, passing through a centuries-old, now deserted, settlement.
We pass excavated Roman burial caves and come across a cool, running spring where we can refresh ourselves under a huge plane tree.
Video - Daily walks 2013