WALKS IN HERAKLION

              AND LASSITHI AREA

  

 

I havent been able to walk much in this area, since its far from the place where I live & work. If you have good tips I would be happy to recieve them and to add them in this page.

Many years ago I walked on the plateau of The Lassithi famous on Crete for its excellent potatoes, apples and pears. Its mostly on flat routes but in the springtime when everything is florishing its an amazing area to walk near the cave were the great Mythological God Zeus was born. A visit to the Dikty caves should therefor be on your route, although there is some climbing involved before coming to the entrance. The Plateau WAS famous for the 1000 Windmils controlling the water irrigation system that was already laid during the Venetian period of Crete. (1212-1643) If you count more than 10 working on your day out there, than you have your lucky day ! 

                                              

Near Zakros on the east is the Saint Irini Gorge, or also named valley of the death. Its not a very difficult path and it offers many natural beauties, again specially during the springtime.

For the prefecture of Heraklion I recommend the Roufas Gorge near Zaros above the Messara valley on the south of Crete. This gorge starts on the edges of the highest mountain, Psiloritis, better known as the IDA mountains. You must walk the gorge up and down again and once the first part is done you'll be standing on a small plateau with a great view on the top of the Ida. Coming down again you'll pass from the friendly monastery of Saint Nicholas where Monks                               and.........Nuns are living together. For the fans from walking holidays. You can stay here overnight in Zaros where some friendly accommodations are available. Than the next day is the second part that starts in Zaros and it ends in the village Roufas. From here you can go to Mires where you can find a hotel again.

 Zaros Village is famous for spring water and some is used for Trout bassins. In the summer you may eat here fresh trout fish

        The Messara Plain, Crete,s vegetable garden.

  

If you are en route with a car and you want to strech your legs for some hours than I know a nice walk to the Monastery of Valsamonero, which lies near the Village Vorizia on the road above the Messara plain in the south of Heraklion prefecture. After about 4 Km. you will see the Monastery that was build in the 14th century. According the history of the monastery, the famous painter El Greco gave here painting lessons to Cretan Monks. In the church there are well preserved wall paintings from another painter. Your return walk is again 4 Km and can be done from another route leading you paralel from your first part.