Amiras Arvi

Skinias Dermatos
8 March 2016
Avgerinos rocca mountain bike tour crete Rocca hill
Avgerinos Rocca
11 March 2016
Skinias Dermatos
8 March 2016
Avgerinos rocca mountain bike tour crete Rocca hill
Avgerinos Rocca
11 March 2016

Overview


Start point
Amiras
Distance
34 km
Altitude
1000m ↑ / 1000m ↓
Max / Min points
700m / 0m
Duration
4hours
Finish point
Amiras

Highlights


  • The downhill through the olive groves
  • Arvi and Eligias canyons
  • Agios Antonios Monastery
  • The tasty bananas
  • The coffee stop next to the see
  • The view of Libyan sea and Dikti Mountains
  • The non-stop uphill
  • The beautiful villages

Description

Although the total uphill of this tour is 1000 meters it is not so difficult as there are no steep uphill sections or dangerous downhills. The only difficult downhill is the road from Kefalovrisi to Krevatas. A steep loose old road that the locals do not use any more and you can avoid it if you go to Agios Vasilios village from the asphalt.

The downhill from Agios Vasilios to the canyon is unbelievably beautiful. A unique landscape in Crete that combines the olive groves and the pine forests of south Dikti. The downhill at the east slopes of the hills with the view of pine trees on the west slopes is amazing. This section ends at the famous Arvis canyon that looks like a window with view to Libyan sea, and the best of all the old bus of Arvi which is parked next to the canyon and everybody wants to take some photos there. After Arvis canyon starts the first uphill up to a small plateau full of olives and an other canyon, Eligia. It worth’s to visit the small church at the top of the hill (Panagia Eligias) for the panoramic view.

The second downhill is also very nice. A fast road through olive and pine trees with view of Sikologos village, the Libyan sea and the green houses. The highlight of this part is Agios Antonios, the old abandoned monastery next to Arvis canyon that you must visit.

At the beach of Arvi you can swim or stop at a cafe to drink a coffee or an orange juice and refill your bottles with water. Before you start the uphill back to Amiras you must refill your legs with energy. The small and delicious bananas of Arvi are the best you can find in the island. The 800 meters ascent from the sea level to Amiras village is not so difficult as it has mid slope. The steepest part of this uphill is a cemented section at the exit of Vachos village.

In Arvi refill your muscles with all the energy that you need for the uphill. Taste the famous bananas of Arvi, the fruit of athletes in its purest and tastiest version
villages we visit: Amiras, Krevatas, Agios Vasilios, Nea Arvi, Vachos

...and explore Crete from your own!

Maps

Asphalt road

Dirt road

Single track

Carrying / pushing

Alternative route

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