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E4.78 Vriomeni Monastery - Vassiliki

The Weather Now

13°C

We bypass the Monastery of Vriomeni on its northern side. Having passed a small stone building on our right, we follow the dirt road north-east, climbing up a bare slope. We continue for approximately 600 m; we ignore a left-hand side road and immediately after pass through the southern side of a small plateau with vineyards, 500 m east of which there is a left-hand turn-off that we ignore. We continue straight on, in a southerly direction.

We then bypass a low peak on its southern side and follow the main dirt road which meanders on the slope. Cultivated terraces, almond trees and scattered farmhouses can be seen on our left, at a location called Langada.

We ignore any turn-offs that we come to and head towards the eastern side of a small flat area with vineyards, located on the lowest part of the slope. At the foot of the slope there is a drinking fountain.

From the Monastery of Panagia Vriomeni to this flat area and the small agricultural settlement of Langada the distance is approximately 2 km in total.

We leave the flat area and continue straight towards the east, along the slope, having to the south a view of the area surrounding Ierapetra.

After 1.100 m of walk, we ignore a right-hand downhill side road and after another 1.300 m, we follow a left turn-off; we then descend towards the small valley of Assari, where a chapel can be seen. There are also an old stone drinking fountain and the ruins of buildings that used to be part of the old Dependency of the Faneromeni Monastery.

Once we are in the valley, we follow a dirt road to the right, initially in a southerly and then an easterly direction, parallel to a small water course.

Still following an easterly direction, wel eave the valley behind and pass by a small plateau with a few olive trees here and there.

We continue straight on and reach the northern side of a bare hill, having a dry water course down below to our left.

Reaching the flat hill top (2,5 km from Assari), the distant view of the gorge of Ha opens up eastwards ahead of us, as well as of the Cretan Sea, northwards.

We ignore a northern turn-off and continue on the main unsurfaced road, initially southwards and then north-eastwards, heading to Vassiliki.

Characteristics

Level of difficulty

Easy

Forensics

E4 (Yellow/Black)

Διάρκεια

3 hours & 30 minutes

Length

12000m

Suggested period

All year round

Activities

Hiking

Relevant Routes and Trails

By length

Environmental Indicators

CHOOSE DESTINATION

Accessibility

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

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:

  1. Environmental sustainability: preserving the natural landscape and ecosystems, with actions to reduce pollution, energy consumption and waste.
  2. Economic sustainability: supporting local economies, strengthening small businesses and creating jobs, while respecting the region's natural resources.
  3. Social sustainability: respecting local culture and traditions, strengthening social cohesion and ensuring that tourism activities benefit the quality of life of local people.

With sustainable tourism, visitors can have authentic experiences, knowing that the impact of tourism on the region is positive and lasting for future generations.

Locality

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.