Fourni playground

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ideal mountain bike area for families and beginners. Panoramic vies and great history

Fourni is a big hill 12 km from Heraklion, between Pano and Kato Archanes, south of Yuchtas mountain, known from the preminoan cemetery discovered in 1964 and is one of the most important archaeological sites of Crete. At the top of the hill there is a small artificial forest with cypress and pine trees as also olive and skinos trees that grow naturally. The view to all directions is panoramic. From here you can observe the entire northern side of Heraklion prefecture.

Apart from the dirt roads there are many paths making it an ideal location for cycling or hiking tours especially for families with young children and beginners. For the experienced cyclists it is a great place for technical training on the trails as also for endurance. Every year here organized local xc mountain bike races. There is parking area and tables to park your equipment and do picnic.

Attention, because the hill is rocky there are many large stone plates which when wet become extremely slippery. The soil after the rain is converted into a sticky mud. Some months beekeepers transfer their bee hives and there are many bees.

Access by car to Fourni is from Kato Archanes, where there are signs. For those who love hiking, there is an amazing ancient, wide, paved path from the south side where it is believed that the ancient inhabitants of Archanes carried their dead.

Fourni is one of the most important cemeteries in the Aegean area. The oldest burials began 5000 years ago and many graves have been used for thousands of years. Hundreds of burials were found here, including royal people, with plenty of items, giving a lot of information about the Minoan burial customs as well as their contacts with the Cyclades, Egypt and the East. The most important finding is the untouched sarcophagus of the Queen with priceless jewels.

...and explore Crete on your own!

Map

Asphalt road

Dirt road

Single track

Carrying / pushing

Alternative route