16°C
From Vassiliki, we follow the asphalt road eastwards. Having passed north of the low hill with the remnants of the Early Minoan settlement, we reach the main road that connects Agios Nikolaos to Ierapetra; we cross it and get to a dirt road, at the beginning of which a shrine can be seen. We continue eastwards, rather uphill, through olive groves; we leave a double turn-off on our right side and a little further uphill another one on our left, until we come to a main unsurfaced road which we follow to the right. Having passed by an old farmhouse, we arrive at the abandoned settlement of Monastiraki.
We pass through the village to the top, and then climb eastwards, where we come to a dirt road which we follow in a southerly direction.
We follow this road for approximately 1.700 m andafter a characteristic right bend, we see a clear footpath on our left. This path initially runs along the western boundary of an abandoned almond grove and then ascends in a north-easterly direction, towards the top of the southern slope of the gorge of Ha.
This climb is quite difficult and tiring; however it gives us the opportunity of enjoying a magnificent view of the whole bay of Mirambello, as well as of the Kavoússi plain and Pachia Ammos. The Mount Dikti massif can also be seen in its entirety in the distance, to the west.
After approximately 30 minutes up the path, we reach a characteristic rock on the precipice above the gorge of Ha. Next, the path passes through a pine-clad area and then meets a dirt road to the left, which we take for approximately 1.300 m, to the picturesque chapel of Agia Anna; there, a cool water spring is to be found under plane trees.
Down below, on the eastern bank of a stream, traces of an old charcoal makers’ settlement, to which this place owes its name (Kaminakia = small kilns) can be seen.
The stream below ends up in the gorge of Ha; this gorge is one of the most difficult in Crete to negotiate, demanding climbing skills and technical equipment.
We continue walking to the left, north of the chapel, following the main unsurfaced road and having the small ravine down below to our left. After approximately 2 km, we reach the centre of the agricultural settlement of Thripti, which is inhabited from spring to autumn.
Its houses, isolated at places or forming small clusters, are scattered on the slope, between vine terraces.
At the spot where the dirt road ends, there is a drinking fountain.
Relatively Easy
E4 (Yellow/Black)
3 hours
11000m
All year round
Hiking
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