From Plakias to Lentas and Asterousia

Plakias, Preveli, Agia Galini, Messara, Asterousia, Lentas, Koudoumas in southern Crete

Travel around Crete: from Plakias to Asterousia

day 17

From Frangokastelo we are heading to Rodakino and turn right on the way to the beach. At the end of the road we ask for the path to the west beach, behind the small hill. It's a quiet place with very few visitors.

Next stop is Plakias. We look for a room somewhere past the village to the west, on the road leading to Souda of Plakias. There are some great beaches in the area: Plakias beach, Souda beach and Damnoni bay.

Day 18

From Plakias we follow the road to Lefkogia and Moni Preveli. The palm-tree gorge of Preveli is certainly a must-see place. Do not miss a visit to the historical Monastery of Preveli.
Another way to go to Preveli is by boat from Plakias. For those who do not feel very fit and are willing to miss the visit to the Preveli Monastery.
Our today final destination is Triopetra beach. We reach there from the Spili - Agia Galini road, turning right to Akoumia village. It's still early summer, so finding a room above the tavern is not difficult. However if you are not equally lucky, then the nearby hamlet of Agios Pavlos is a place with more rooms and taverns

Another great beach is the beach of Akoumia. It is located next to Triopetra beach, west of it. If Triopetra is crowded, then head to Akoumia beach and ask for a sun-umbrella at the tavern of Giorgos and Kostas. They lend them for free, they are very friendly and willing to help you in any way they can and the food is cheap and great.

the magnificent , long beach at Akoumia

Day 19

We are moving to southern Heraklion today (Messara Plain); we drive to Sivas via Agia Galini, Kokkinos Pirgos, Timbaki and Festos. At Sivas we stay at Hotel Lofos (tel. 28920-42605& 42707).

hotel Lofos at Sivas village

We choose Sivas as it's a nice traditional village, close to many interesting places. It basically is a matter of personal choice; in fact all places in the area have their own fans.

From Sivas we visit Moni Odigitrias, an old historical monastery and drive on the dirt road following the signs to Vathy and Martsalo.

Day 20 & 21

It's time for some trekking again. On Day 20th we are going to visit Kamares and walk up to Kamares cave. Next Day we are going to Zaros and Rouvas gorge.

If the weather is too hot for trekking then the nearby beaches of Matala, Komos and Kalamaki are excellent choices.

Day 22

We leave Sivas and take the road to Pompia, Peri, Platanos,Plora, Miamou and Lentas. We are going to spend the Day at Diskos or Dytiko and enjoy the lovely beach, one of the few beaches for naturism in Crete.

sun eclipse in Lentas

1997, eclipse of the sun, as seen from Diskos beach

Day 23

Loutra bay in Lentas

Today we are going east of Lentas on the dirt road leading to Loutra (3 km from Lendas). We will stay at the rooms above the only tavern here and do some light trekking to Psili Ammos beach.

Day 24

We drive on the dirt road leading to Krotos, Vasiliki, Loukia and Kapetaniana. This is a really traditional village, half-abandoned, 800 m high on Asterousia Mountains and the view is astonishing. The view from Kapetanina is a must-see. The summit of Mountain Kofinas is on the left, while the Libyan Sea spreads in front of you.

In the afternoon we drive the short distance to Mt Kofinas and climb to the top. On the summit there was a Minoan shrine; today there is a chapel and a big cross. The distance you have to climb is very short - no more than 200 m-, but the path is very steep so you have to pay some extra attention. The not perfectly-signed path starts in front of the chapel at the foot of the summit and goes slightly to the left; as soon as you reach the rock wall the path goes to the west.

the summit of Mt Kofinas

Mountain Kofinas, the highest summit of the Asterousia range

Day 25

Today is going to be a hard day; we want to walk on a circular route from Kapetaniana to Agios Ioannis hamlet and Moni Koudoumas and return to Kapetaniana from the road which leads to Sternes. We will follow this road up to its highest point (850m) and then take the left (west) turn, leading to Mt Kofinas. After the first turn don't turn left again as it is leading to the summit, just go straight.

Author: Yannis Samatas