Route description: (WP = Waypoint)

Directions monastery Odigitrias to the car park (green waypoint):

From the Odigitrias Monastery, a gravel road takes us about 6 km to the parking lot. The condition of the road varies, sometimes better and sometimes worse. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended here, but it is also manageable with a regular car if driven carefully. Otherwise, you can simply park somewhere along the route and walk the additional kilometers.

From the Odigitrias Monastery (WP1 Monastery Odigitrias Car), we take the left gravel road. We follow this road for about 2 km until we reach (WP2). We continue on this road and after approximately 1 km, we pass the Agia Kyriaki church, which is located above us to the left. From here, it is another 1 km to the junction (WP3). Here, we turn right. We continue for about 300 m until we reach (WP4) and keep to the left. We continue to follow the gravel road, and after about 2 km, we reach the Agiofaraggo parking lot. Closed gates along our route may be opened but must always be closed again afterward!

PLEASE NOTE: If you park here under the trees, you must be prepared for the goats to make themselves comfortable on the roof of your car!

For orientation during the hike, the following coordinates can be used:
These coordinates can be copied and pasted into your online map provider (Google Maps, OpenStreetMap) or use the interactive hiking map. (WP = Waypoint).

Coordinates:

Coordinates monastery Odigitrias – car park Agiofaraggo:

WP1 Monastery Odigitrias car:       34.97354, 24.79876

WP2 Car:                                                34.96232, 24.79691

WP3 Car:                                                34.94851, 24.79564

WP4 Car:                                                34.94998, 24.79491

Parking Lot / Agiofarrago:                        34.93725, 24.78148

Directions to the car park – Agiofaraggo Beach (red waypoint):

From the Parking Lot / Agiofaraggo, go through the small gate. Then continue for approx. 500 metres along the obvious path to (WP1). We continue along the path for approx. 600 metres and then reach the small church of Agios Antonios (WP2 Agios Antonios). From here it is only about 500 metres to the beach (WP3 Agiofaraggo Beach).

Coordinates car park - Agiofaraggo Beach:

Walk the WP in sequence. WP = Waypoint

Red WP = car park to Agiofaraggo Beach

Purple WP = Turnoff to the sinkhole

Coordinates Red WP / car park Agiofaraggo

Parking Lot / Agiofarrago:    34.93725, 24.78148

WP1:                                            34.93452, 24.77921

WP2 Agios Antonios:              34.92951, 24.77908

WP3 Agiofaraggo Beach:       34.92536, 24.7781

Directions from the turn-off - sinkhole (purple waypoint):

At the turnoff (WP1 sinkhole), we have to take a small path uphill. You have to look for it, but it is marked. From the junction we walk about 20 metres to (WP2 sinkhole). Here we go through a small gate. Follow the small path for approx. 70 metres to (WP3 sinkhole) and continue for approx. 70 metres to (WP4 sinkhole). Continue to (WP5 sinkhole) (approx. 80 metres) and after a further 50 metres you will reach (WP6 sinkhole). Now we leave the main path and turn right onto another path. We now follow this path for approx. 100 metres until we reach (WP7 sinkhole) and then continue for approx. 100 metres to (WP8 sinkhole top).

Coordinates WP / Turnoff to the sinkhole

WP1 sinkhole:             34.92855, 24.77975

WP2 sinkhole:             34.92846, 24.77986

WP3 sinkhole:             34.928, 24.78016

WP4 sinkhole:             34.92746, 24.78038

WP5 sinkhole:             34.92678, 24.78057

WP6 sinkhole:             34.92654, 24.78099

WP7 sinkhole:             34.92601, 24.78032

WP8 sinkhole top:     34.92581, 24.77961

Sights in the surrounding area:

Monastery Odigitrias

Opening hours:         Monday to Sunday       08:00 - 15:00

                                     Tuesday                          closed

If you would like to visit the monastery, you should wear appropriate clothing (covered shoulders, trousers above the knee)!

Out of season, you should always confirm the opening hours by telephone!

General tips for hiking on Crete:

- Start the hike early in the morning

- Save the location of the hire car (car park) in Google Maps

- Before the hike, let someone know where you are going, e.g. by text message,

   and log in again at the end of the hike

- Always close gates that have been opened!

- Check the weather conditions

- Check bus connections and opening times in advance

Weather apps:            Meteo           https://www.meteo.gr/

                                      K24.net         https://gr.k24.net

                                      Windy.com   https://www.windy.com

Emergency numbers:

Police: 100
Emergency services: 112

General opening hours for pharmacies:

Monday to Friday:
usually mornings from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and afternoons from approximately 5:00 p.m. to 8:30/9:00 p.m. in many locations
Saturday:
usually only in the morning, approx. 08:30–14:00 / 15:00.
Sundays & public holidays:
Most pharmacies are closed, but there is a rotation of emergency or on-duty pharmacies that are open at certain times during the day or at night.

Emergency service/on-call:
There is always at least one pharmacy on duty in each area, even at night and on weekends. Which one is on duty is posted at each pharmacy and online (e.g. via vrisko.gr)

Medical centres:
There are medical centres in almost all holiday resorts on Crete. Treatment is usually available without prior appointment, and with a valid insurance card, the costs are usually reimbursed by your health insurance company.

Note on archaeological sites and places of interest:

If you are visiting archaeological sites and places of interest on your own, it is usually better to go in the afternoon. In the morning, these places are often very busy with organised tour groups and coaches.

All information is provided without guarantee and may change!