the walks

Walking in Western Crete and especially in Apokoronas is a great experience. Like in most places in Greece it's difficult to find nice walking paths on your own, because good maps are not available. With the guided walks of FaragiTours we bring you to places that are really off the beaten track! Walking with FaragiTours means: small international groups, good prices, a flexible programme and a lot of fun!

The programme for 2010 will be on the site soon!!:

- The Diktamos Gorge
- Mountains and Sea
- The Imbros Gorge and Frankokastello
- Authentic Apokoronas
- Along rivers and through Orange Groves

General information:
- Prices are per person and include transfer to and from the walk. Children under 15 years half price.
The main pickup places are: Geourgioupolis, Kavros, Vamos, Almyrida en Kalyves.
- Depending on the walk, a Cretan picnic or a coffee/tea is included.
- Guide speaks English, Dutch and German.
- At the end of the walk we have a 'Meze' (Greek tapas) and/or a drink (not included). 

Individual Walks

Do you like to walk at your own pace and discover the Cretan landscapes yourself? FaragiTours has made several walk descriptions, mainly in the area of Vamos.

Other Walks!
During the season of 2009 I will be guiding again twice a week in the region of Rethymno for the Happy Walker. If you are staying in the region of Apokoronas and you would like to join in these walks, you can book them through FaragiTours as well. We can also arrange your transfer. Click on the walks below for more information. 

- An abandoned village and Roman graves

- Cretan landscapes and history

 

Through the riverbed of the Diktamos Gorge

A quiet, very green and shady gorge! Some small parts are a bit of a scramble but the combination of high rocky walls with beautiful shady vegetation of plane-trees is perfect! On the way we have a tasty Cretan picnic (included). The walk ends in the small village of Katohori where we can have a cold drink (not included). A spectacular walk, also suitable for the summer!

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For a photo/video impression:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-3Oi2rHnYo

View on the beach

Along this walk we have amazing views on the White Mountains and the sea. We walk through forest areas and very old cultural landscapes. In a beautiful restored village in the Apokoronas region we will have a coffee break. Along sheep trails we walk over a spectacular mountain ridge downhill towards the sea and the beach. From this path we have again fantastic views on the mountains and the sea. At the end there is the possibility for a swim, a cold drink or a bite! Average difficulty, mostly easy paths and stony sheep trails!

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Natural gate in the gorge

First a drive via the beautiful Askyfou plateau to the village of Imbros. From here the spectacular walk through the Imbros Gorge starts. At some points the gorge is extremely narrow! It is not a very long and difficult walk, suitable for children as well. At the village Komitades, where the walk ends, we have a transfer to FrankoKastello a Venetian fort from the 14th century. There is a beautiful sandy beach where you can go for a dive in the Lybian Sea or have some food and drinks in one of the taverns. Note! This walk is not guided!

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An old stone path towards a chapel

This walk has really a lot to offer! We walk through four very traditional villages of the Apokoronas area. Situated at the edge of the White Mountains, the views and landscapes here are unspoiled and breathtaking! We walk through forests, along very old chapels (with fresco's 700 hundred years old) and old mule-paths. In the distance we can see the sea and with clear weather even the city of Rethymno and the Psiloritis, the highest mountain of Crete! Halfway we enjoy a coffee or tea in one of the traditional 'kafenia'. We end the walk with some 'meze' (Greek tapas) in a local tavern (not included). This walk is a beauty!

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Photo/video impression of this walk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvnvaqvbUN4&feature=channel_page

River Koiliaris

We walk along a river and cross many olive and orange groves. We visit a 13^th century Byzantine church and pass from the imposing entrance of the Diktamos Gorge. In a traditional village, which is famous for it's springs, we enjoy a coffee/tea (included). Along easy dirt roads we walk along oranges, olive and avocado groves back to the start. Hidden in the fields there are many old stone-built wells. At the end of the walk we have a small meze in a traditional tavern (not included). An easy walk with very few up- and downhill!

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In the Rethymno area..
A walk with exuberant nature on small paths and field roads in the surroundings of Kato Poros. We will see the remains of an abandoned village and a beautiful threshing-floor.
After coffee break we come across a giant plane tree at a refreshing well and graves from Roman times, dug out of the soft limestone walls. A very beautiful and interesting walk.
Sometimes a bit demanding up and downhill.
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In the Rethymno area..
This slightly easier walk offers an impressive view of the Kouloukonas Mountains. The route more than once crosses green and refreshing riverbeds. At Eleftherna we will see excavations from the Hellenistic period.
The Romans left there traces too.
We end with an appetizing meal in the picturesque village of Pikris, where there is also a Venetian gateway to be seen.
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