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(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. |
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