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Get directions to Arkadi Gorge, Crete: A Practical Hiking Guide
Find below the list of things to do near Arkadi Gorge, Crete: A Practical Hiking Guide:
Discover the beauty surrounding Rethymno as you cycle along the coastline. Just before you start the journey uphill, you will make your first stop at the Arsani Monastery. From there you will continue uphill through the olive groves, passing small picturesque villages before making your next stop to the village of Amnatos.
There you can admire the mansion of Sanguinazzo, where you will discover above its main door the inscription which states “Initium sapientiae timor Domini”. Your next stop is the Arkadi Monastery, which boasts a rich and prestigious history. You can learn about the resistance of the local people and the heroic acts of the monks, which will help you understand the significant role they played during the Greek revolution against the Ottomans.
Following the monastery, you will be spoiled with a selection of traditional dishes in a traditional taverna. Due to the elevated location, you will also have breathtaking panoramic views over Rethymno and the Mediterranean Coast whilst you dine. Following lunch, you’ll ride towards Pigi Village and make a final stop at Adele, before slowly making your way back to your starting point.
Welcome to our Rethymno Sunset Tour, an opportunity for a magical and memorable trip! Discover the most beautiful panoramic views along paths running through hills and valleys. Cross picturesque villages and experience the natural wonders that Crete has to offer.
After we pick you up from your hotel, our first stop will be at the Venetian village of Pikris , where you will see the Cretan way of life and our hospitality.The village was built next to the river with its mythical nymphs. You will have the chance to see the amazing central gate of the villa Claudio. What makes it even more intriguing is the Latin inscription in letters: “Pateat bonis,” which translates to “the good man passes through.” This phrase hints at a place that values virtues and welcomes those of moral character.
Our next stop will be the Arkadi Monastery wich is one of the most important monasteries in Crete and holds great cultural and historical value.It is renowned for its stunning architecture, with a mix of Venetian, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences, making it a unique and captivating structure.(to enter the Monastery is optional and the entrance fee is 4 euro)
We continue through the changing scenery of wild flowers, herbs and local groves to reach the mountains at an altitude of around 1000m.Here you will have an amazing view point of the dam of Potamon. We stop to relax with a glass of wine whilst admiring the vivid colors of the sun sinking into the ocean!
Our last stop will be at Limnokastro where we will have a Cretan style evening meal at a local tavern by the river, where giant trees and a 1000 year old church will fascinate you! Here you will have the opportunity to try a selection of traditional local starters and main courses (vegetarian option available) and enjoy unlimited Cretan wine.
Don’t miss this unique experience and an unforgettable, epic Rethymno sunset tour!
Arkadi Monastery (in Greek Moní Arkadíou) is an Eastern Orthodox monastery, situated near Rethymno. It is one of the most historic monasteries on Crete.
What’s Included:
Experienced guide, use of bicycle, helmet, reflective orange vest, bottle of water, break for discussion and soft drink in a village during the tour.
Departure & Return:
Sofokli Venizelou 4, Rethymno 741 00, Greece
You will enjoy the beautiful view and you will be enchanted of the wonderful green landscape.
Additional Info:
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Check the prices and make your reservation from our booking system in our website.
All protection measures are taken by COVID 19. Helmets and reflective vests are sterilized by a special machine at 120o C.
After you will be picked off in the morning from your hotel in Rethymnon, this unique village tour begins from Arkadi. There you will visit the historic Arkadi Monastery, renowned for its pivotal role in the resistance against the Turks. You will learn a lot about local history from the icons and the weapons there.
After this enriching visit, you will enjoy a majestic route towards Eleutherna where you will stop to glaze the landscape and enjoy the view.
The next station will be the village of Margarites, in which you can learn about the art of pottery and create your own ceramic in their local pottery workshop. The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village and the ladies there will be more than happy to initiate you to the Cretan pottery art.
Afterwards, you will be heading to Melidoni cave, also called “Gerodospilios,” which is a historic cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites. This 220-meter altitude cave was a place of worship for Talos the bronze giant guardian of Crete who protected the island of Crete from enemies. You will have an hour to explore the cave.
Before heading back to Rethymnon, you will stop at Axos Village, where you will have the chance to experience firsthand the production process of fresh cheese. Along with the local people you can take part in the milking process, witness the production of local cheese pies and cheese and of course taste the fresh traditional handmade snacks.
After the relaxed time for snacks and resting you are ready to depart and get dropped off at your hotel in Rethymnon, with a full experience of Crete’s history, art and flavors.
Find below the list of hotels near Arkadi Gorge, Crete: A Practical Hiking Guide:
Boasting a garden, private pool and pool views, Sonatina villa is situated in Amnátos. The air-conditioned accommodation is 14 km from Rethymno Town.
The villa has 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 2 bathrooms with a shower.
Heraklio Town is 70 km from the villa, while Balíon is 28 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 86 km from Sonatina villa.
from
€157
/night
Featuring a garden, private pool and pool views, Adagio villa is located in Amnátos. The air-conditioned accommodation is 14 km from Rethymno Town.
The villa features 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 2 bathrooms with a shower.
Heraklio Town is 67 km from the villa, while Balíon is 17 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 77 km from Adagio villa.
from
€157
/night
Surrounded by the largest olive grove on the island of Crete, Kapsaliana Village is nestling in a peaceful location with superb views of the countryside and the sea.
The carefully renovated Kapsaliana Village Hotel is a beautiful complex of 22 stone buildings of Cretan and Venetian architecture.
Each individual in design unit offers modern amenities. Most feature comforts including fireplace, private terrace, free internet access, satellite TV and minibar.
At the outdoor swimming pool guests can swim, sunbathe and enjoy cool drinks and snacks from the bar. At the Kapsaliana Village Restaurant & Café guests can taste delicious meals or drinks by the fireplace or on the outside terrace.
Located in Roúpai and only 5.5 km from Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, Aerin Villa, a Sublime Sanctuary, By ThinkVilla provides accommodation with sea views, free WiFi and free private parking. With mountain views, this accommodation features a terrace and a swimming pool.
This villa is equipped with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 2 bathrooms equipped with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the villa.
At the villa guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot tub. Guests can also relax in the garden.
Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is 20 km from Aerin Villa, a Sublime Sanctuary, By ThinkVilla, while Psiloritis National Park is 31 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 70 km from the accommodation.
Boasting mountain views, Family villa, Fantastic views, Private pool, Free laptop 1 offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 5.9 km from Museum of Ancient Eleftherna. This villa has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
The villa offers a picnic area. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at Family villa, Fantastic views, Private pool, Free laptop 1, while cycling and hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is 19 km from the accommodation, while Psiloritis National Park is 31 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 70 km from Family villa, Fantastic views, Private pool, Free laptop 1.
from
€173
/night
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, Villa Amnalys is situated in Amnátos. This property offers access to a balcony, ping-pong, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa features 9 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with garden views.
Staff at the villa are always available to provide advice at the reception.
Villa Amnalys offers a picnic area. A car rental service is available at the accommodation, while cycling can be enjoyed nearby.
Museum of Ancient Eleftherna is 13 km from Villa Amnalys, while Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is 17 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 73 km from the villa.
from
€153
/night
Margarites is a renowned village in the Milopotamos province, celebrated for its stunning architecture and traditional pottery. The broader region, encompassing the villages of Margarites, Orthe and Eleftherna, is characterized by a sequence of small, parallel gorges. Tiny watercourses like Margaritianos meander northwards, contributing to the Geropotamos River. These gorges are carved into the white-yellow marly limestone from the Upper Miocene era (8-10 million years ago), a result of the area’s uplift and water erosion.
The gorges’ most striking features are their abundant flora and extraordinary environment. Small groups of horizontally branched cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens var horizontal) blend with low shrubs, wildflowers, and aromatic plants. The local authorities have fashioned small trails that reveal the area’s beauty to visitors.
Located in the stunning province of Amari, the Patsos or Agios Antonios gorge is situated 8 km southwest of Arkadi Monastery. The gorge’s water is collected in the Potami dam. Trekking through the gorge is relatively easy up to a certain point, thanks to a well-marked trail created by the forest service. This trail concludes at the gorge’s narrowest point, where a unique waterfall cascades into a cave. Beyond this point, the gorge narrows and forms several small waterfalls. The descent to the Potami lake demands careful attention, particularly during winter and spring. Another path leads to the avifauna watchtower situated above the river.
The Patsos Gorge is renowned for Agios Antonios’ cavernous temple (Saint Anthony), which was once a sacred cave dedicated to Kraneos Hermes in ancient times. Water seeps from the rocks and drips from the temple roof, accumulating as holy water. It’s fascinating to observe the thousands of prayer papers that devotees have tucked into the rock cavities surrounding the temple. Large plateaus with wooden benches and tables, perfect for picnicking, are located beneath the temple and by the river.
The gorge derives its name from Patsos, a village nestled at the base of Mount Soros at an altitude of 490 meters. It’s approximately 30 km south of Rethymnon. The area boasts a rich variety of flora due to the numerous springs throughout the region that provide a year-round water supply.
The untamed Prassano gorge, also known as the Gorge of Prasses, is situated 10 km southeast of Rethymnon. It commences south of the Prasses village and provides a captivating three-hour hike through enormous rocks and some fairly challenging passages, adding to the intrigue of the trek. The Prasano Gorge, currently serving as the “overflow” channel for the Potami dam, winds its way through the rocky hills of Gargana, with its stream terminating in the suburb of Platania, east of the city of Rethymnon. The river is engulfed by lush vegetation and towering plane trees, making it an ideal spot for a refreshing excursion.
The Prassano gorge can only be accessed from mid-June to mid-October due to the water flow. It is a crucial biotope of Crete, providing a habitat for buzzards and a small group of Bonelli’s eagles.
The Prasses Village
Set amidst the verdant Cretan landscape on the slopes of Vrysinas, Prasses serves as an entrance to the southern coast. This medieval village showcases the intermingling of diverse cultures that have traversed Crete, evident in the Venetian mansions, Turkish farmsteads, and Orthodox churches. The rich natural and cultural diversity make the village an ideal location for tours and walks. Heading south from Prasses, the road leads to the Potami valley, home to the dam of the same name.
In northern Rethymnon, beneath the village of Myrthios (not to be confused with the Myrthios near Plakias), a petite ravine teeming with plane trees gives way to a wild and untamed gorge at Kaminolakos. The gorge is typically dry, only filling with water after significant rainfall. It is accessible only with canyoneering gear. This gorge remained unexplored until March 22, 2013, when Christopher Cheiladakis, Argyro Koghylaki, and Rudolf Riegler ventured into it for the first time, installing safety rings in the process.
The initial stretch of the gorge is particularly wild, leading to a series of small rappels before reaching the final waterfall, a towering 55 meters high. This waterfall is nestled under an umbrella of large trees, hidden away in a shadowy enclave. The gorge culminates at the renowned stone bridge of Simas, which is situated on the road to Amari. This bridge, the highest in Crete, is considered an architectural marvel of its time.
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