15°C
The route starts near Gazi, where the source of Almyros is located, fed by the Psiloritis mountain range and the Nida plateau, as well as the surrounding mountains.
We continue towards Servili of Tylisos (Arolithos) and head to Voulismeno Aloni – a curious geological phenomenon characterized by a large circular sinkhole – which is also a popular climbing site. After Voulismeno Aloni, we proceed to Doxa Cave, at an altitude of 463 meters near the village of Marathos. This is a small but well-known cave with impressive cave formations. Then we continue to the settlement of Damasta and Drosia (Yeni Gaves) – a village in Mylopotamos. The next stop is Aimonas, in inner Mylopotamos, a village where archaic plaques and seats from the Daedalic period have been excavated, and which maintains and honors its traditions.
The next stop is the plain of Doxaro, where the “Ptyches of Vosakou” – the result of geological pressures exerted on the rocks 23 million years ago – and the namesake Monastery, built among the peaks Koutsotroulis, Sofiani, and Koufotos, of Mount Kouloukonas, are located. The next stop is Perama and then Margarites, which are famous not only for their ceramics but also for their gorges (Margarites, Orthe, Eleutherna) characterized by rich vegetation and small, accessible hiking trails.
Eleutherna, the penultimate destination of the route, features the archaeological site of ancient Eleutherna and the corresponding imposing museum, while the journey concludes at the Arkadi Monastery, which played a historical role in the Cretan resistance against the Ottoman rule during the Cretan revolt of 1866.
For more informations, check psiloritistrails.gr.
The geotrail is a result of the research project Joint Innovative Activities for Outdoor Tourism-JoinOut. The project entitled “Partnership of Innovative Rural Tourism Actions” and distinctive title: “JoInOuT”, is implemented within the framework of the Action “Cooperative Innovation Formations/SCC” – 2nd Call: Businesses” and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by National Resources in the context of the Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPANEK)” of the NSRF 2014-2020″ (Project code: ΓΓ2CL-0359457).
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