A couple of weeks ago we headed off to Makrigialos on the south eastern coast of Crete. This is an excellent, relatively undeveloped resort, with plenty of amenities. I won’t go into detail except to mention the superb Splash Bar!
Here however I want to mentions some walks we undertook over the course of those two weeks. From Makrigialos there are several within easy reach, either right on the doorstop or a short (< 1 hour) drive.
I have included Strava links to the indivdual walks if you want to know the fine details.
The Walks 🔗
Makrigialos Loop 🔗
This is relatively gentle walk that inexorably rises high up the hills overlooking Makrigialos. The way up (or way down, depending which way round you go) is mainly roads, but like most roads in this part of Crete, pretty empty. The other half of the loop consists of fairly easy tracks.
From the top you’ll be blessed with lovely views of the area down to the sea.
Pefki Gorge 🔗
This also starts from Makrigialos but is harder going. It begins easily enough with a walk through some orange groves and some foothills before reach the gorge proper.
The gorge itself involves some rock scrambling, stair climbing and some precipitous paths, so make sure you have sturdy footwear. Again, some great views down to the sea to be had.
One has the option here to extend the route at the furthest point — we did not do so on this occasion — to go up to the Pefki village. There you can find a couple of tavernas and a source of water.
Climbing To Ekklisia Stavromenos 🔗
If you were to go beyond Pefki (you could combine this with the previous walk if you have the energy) you can find a steep walk up to Ekklisia Stavromenos. This is a small chapel built upon a high rock above Pefki.
Start at the top of Pefki, make your way through rocky terrain until you reach the bottom of the chapel rock — there is water here if you need it.
Then keep on going up some winding steps to the top. Be prepared for some fairly strong winds here — hold on to your hats and the railings!
From The Monastery To The Sea 🔗
This walk starts near Toplou Monastery — about an hour’s drive from Makrigialos — and takes you down Toplou Gorge. The monastery is worth a visit in its own right, especially if you are a history buff.
The gorge isn’t long, but I found this to be one of the toughest walks. It involves a lot of scrambling over rocks. Like many other walks here, all watched over by goats.
Richtis Gorge 🔗
This a lovely walk down to the sea in north east Crete. It takes you past abandoned Venetian mill houses, along a shaded, verdant trail with the opportunity to take a dip in a waterfall along the way.
There are quite a few walk ways and one place where you need to hold on to a rope to get past.
The Gorge Of The Dead 🔗
This gorge, so named because the Minoans used to bury their dead in the walls of the gorge, is mostly flat but with imposing scenery.
It takes you down to Kato Zakros where you can enjoy a meal and a swim, plus there are some Minoan ruins of a palace and town to explore.
I recorded this in Strava in two parts, down to the sea, and back.
Tips 🔗
Make sure you have sturdy footwear. I made do with good walking sandals, but some better ankle support would have helped.
I also had an insulated water bottle that kept ice cold water ice cold. There are water stations on several of these routes, but these are not guaranteed to be working, so always take your own water.
We undertook these walks in ~30 degrees C heat. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how extra nice these were at the end:
