17°C
From Agia Fotini, the rough path goes down a steep slope to a plane forested ravine, which we follow northwards until the entrance to the gorge, where it joins the main stream of Potami. We walk along the stream bed going towards the entrance to the gorge, formed by the peaks Kefales and Gaspari. Once there, we cross the stream with the plane trees and the oleanders and begin to climb eastwards on aslope covered by low bushes.
After approximately 1.000 m of continuous ascent on the ridge, in a north-easterly direction, we come to a cart track which we follow for about 400 m, until the main dirt road (which passes by the rubbish dump of the City of Rethymnon). We follow the dirt road to the right (south-eastwards) for approximately 500 m; then, we turn into a smaller left branch, on which we continue for 150 m, until the point where it crosses a small ravine with a spring with drinkable water.
Due north of the spring, a path begins that goes eastwards, along the ridge of a hill which is covered by thorny burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum, astivida in Greek) and thyme.
We successively cross three ridges and after 1.100 m from the spring, we come to a main road which we follow to the right, towards the village of Ηarkia, where we arrive after 1.200 m.
We pass through the narrow alleys of the village and descend to the chapel of Agia Anna, where we find a drinking fountain. Then, following the dirt road eastwards (ignoring first a right branch and then a left one), for about 400 m, we turn right to an uphill unsurfaced road which after 900 m leads us to an asphalt road. We walk in a northerly direction for 1.500 m, until the small village of Kavoussi. Then, after 4 km on the main road, we arrive at the historical Arkadi Monastery.
Relatively Easy
E4 (Yellow/Black)
6 hours
15500m
Spring
The Rural Greece is an online portal that connects travellers with unique destinations and local businesses in the countryside, offering authentic experiences through activities that highlight nature, traditions and culture.
For the Rural Greece accessibility is fundamental to enhancing an inclusive tourism experience. Following the principles of inclusion and equality, the epaithros Rural Tourism Network and its member businesses are constantly working to enhance the tourism services provided, ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to experience the authentic beauty of the Greek countryside.
Sustainability in tourism refers to a way of developing tourism that respects and protects the environment while strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural traditions. The aim of sustainable tourism is to provide unique and authentic experiences for visitors without harming the natural and social environment, while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism activity.
This type of tourism is based on three pillars:
With sustainable tourism, visitors can have authentic experiences, knowing that the impact of tourism on the region is positive and lasting for future generations.
For Rural Greece, localism is one of the most important factors for the development of sustainable tourism, as it promotes a strong link between the tourism product and the local society, economy and culture. Through localism, visitors get the opportunity to explore authentic elements of the destination, such as local products, traditions and culture. This not only boosts the local economy, but also helps to sustain and strengthen local businesses, creating new jobs and supporting the development of local communities.
Furthermore, localism contributes to the sustainability of the tourism sector, as it reduces the use of resources from other regions and encourages the use of local goods and services, reducing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. Thus, integrating localism into tourism practices enhances sustainability awareness, both among visitors and local businesses, creating a more responsible and sustainable tourism destination.
