Itinerary

This multi day tour is all about the mountains of CRETE. LASITHI with DIKTI the birth place of ZEUS. IDA the highest range 2,500 meters above sea level. THRIPTI with amazing views of the north and south coasts. ASTEROUSIA is the highlight! Wild scenery and breath taking views, capturing that moment where 'the sea and sky become one’. During this multi day tour we will ride in all kinds of 'off road’ conditions and see spots that have been forgotten in time. Cycling though several smaller and larger plateaus, being in the largest pine forest, 'Selakano’, standing upon ancient trails from the Minoan times, swimming at some of the island best beaches, the wind mill park of Lassithi and feeling the history of the Arkadi monastery, to name but a few! 6 days of exploring the beautiful villages, canyons, mountain and waters of Crete.

Day 1 Drive time 40 minutes to Lasithi Plateau and on to Dikti the 3rd highest mountain of Crete at 700m above sea level. The tour passes through several villages to reach Katharo Plateau at 1200m stopping for lunch if you wish or refreshments. Crossing the plateau heading east toward the large pine forest of Selakano and finishing at the beach with crystal clear waters for a swim. Approx 50km and a 1000m altitude. Gravel roads.

Day 2 Driving time 1 hour to South east of Dikti mountain. Start the climb at 150m above sea level to reach 1300m, passing several small plateaus to get to the largest Omalos Plateau! Riding then back to sea level with amazing views of the Libyan /Cretan Sea and lunch if you wish at Myrtos beach. 50km approx and an altitude of 1300m. 90% gravel road.

Day 3 Driving time 1hour to east Crete. We ride the mountain of Thripti, 4th highest in Crete. From there you will experience the view of the 'isthmus’of Ierapetra, one of our islands highlights! At 600m a forest ride, part of Ha gorge that takes us to Thripti village. At 800m, lunch or refreshments then a ride down the amazing Mesonas Gorge to take us back to the car. 40km approx and 1000m altitude. 90% gravel road.

Day 4 Driving time 20min. We start from the village of Mohos and visit several other small villages in the area of Aposelemis Dam. We climb up the beautiful gorge of Ambelos watching the vultures in flight to reach the mountain village of Kera. There we can stop for refreshments. Continuing cycling we enter Lassithi and head west to reach 1300m and observe best views of Heraklion city, 50km away from where we are! Then it is a fantastic 20km off road descent to take us back to the car. 55km and 1200m altitude. 90% gravel road.

Day 5 Driving time 1 hour to the region of Rethymnon. We cycle the historic area of Arkadi Monastery and through several villages situated in the foothills of Psiloritis, the highest mountain of Crete (2500m). We stop at the pottery village of Margarites for lunch or refreshments. We then cross a long and stunning gorge to reach the amazing Amari valley and head back to the car. 50km and 1200m altitude. 90% gravel road.

Day 6 Drive time 1 hour, south Heraklion. The last day will be in the Asterousia mountains. Stunning views, wild beauty, gorges, goats, vultures and Tripiti beach for a swim and refreshments or lunch. We then climb our way back, along a seaside trail to the car to end your journey of Crete. 40km and 900m altitude. 90% gravel road.