Crete hiking tour through the cypress forest of Kritsa (east)

Price overview

• Hiking tour Cypress forest Kritsa (approx. 4-5 h) - per person 70.-€

Booking option: From Kritsa: Hiking tour in the cypress forest of Crete

The hiking trail, about 10 kilometres long, leads from Kritsa village through the last continuous cypress forest of Crete. You and your guide will be on your way for about 4.5 hours and will make numerous stops to enjoy the landscape. Through the forest of Krista you hike up to the mountain Katharo. During the hike you will have a beautiful view of the village of Krista and the bay of Agios Nikolaos. From the north side you hike further into the forest and meet legendary nature, abandoned houses and old sheep farms. The profound local connoisseur will tell you more about history along the way.

Overview

• Minimum number of participants: 4 persons
• Duration: ~ 4.5 hours
• Days: daily
• Months: possible all-year
• Languages: English, Greek
• Starting point: Kritsa village

Included

• Professional guide, insurance, picnic

Detailed description

Crete hiking tour through the cypress forest from Kritsa to Katharo Mountain

If you would like to spend your holidays in Agios Nikolaos in the east of Crete and go on a hiking tour in the surrounding area, which will not only give you an insight into the landscape, but will also tell you a lot about the history and development of the island, then walk with a guide through the cypress forest of Kritsa. Until the Middle Ages cypresses covered large parts of the island and formed a typical natural landscape. Cypress wood was an important commercial product. Today there is not much left of the once dense forests - but between Kritsa and the Katharo Plateau one of the last cypress deposits has been preserved. The very knowledge of this cultural heritage makes this Crete hiking tour a wonderful holiday experience with added value.

The approximately 4.5-hour hike in eastern Crete starts with your guide in Kritsa village. The cypress forest lies about 10 kilometres west of the village, directly on the historic path to the Katharo Plateau and rises above a gorge. At the starting point of the circular route you will find an information kiosk where nature lovers can familiarise themselves with maps and get tips for other sights in this region. Caves, archaeological sites and springs can be found to the left and right of the trail. Along the way you will also discover some of the old farms where sheep were once bred and shepherds lived. In some parts you can still see goats.

The Cretan cypress can grow up to 30 metres high at these altitudes. It is a frugal tree that can thrive on a variety of soils. The Crete hiking tour through the cypress forest measures a distance of about 10 kilometres, which we complete in small groups with sufficient stops and a picnic of fruits and small delicacies. We hike through the forest from Krista to Mount Katharo and will always have a beautiful view of Kritsa and the bay of Agios Nikolaos. The route is also rich in herbs and seeds, which we can collect to use after the walk to prepare a salad.

The Crete walking tour through the cypress forest of Kritsa is an easy hike that can be done without previous knowledge and with normal physical fitness. Families with children can also breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy this natural experience.