Route description: (WP = Waypoint)

Directions from Odigitrias monastery to the Agiofaraggo parking area by car (green waypoints):

From Odigitrias Monastery, a gravel road leads approximately 6 km to the parking area. The road surface varies in quality. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended, but it is also manageable with a regular car if driven carefully. Alternatively, you can park anywhere along the route and walk the remaining distance.

From Odigitrias Monastery (WP1 / monastery Odigitrias / car), take the left-hand gravel road. Follow this road for approximately 3 km until you reach some buildings (WP2 / buildings / car). Along the way, you will pass the Agia Kyriaki Church, which is located to your left and slightly above you. Fro (WP2 / buildings / car), it is approximately 700 m to a junction (WP3 / car). Turn right here. Continue for approximately 300 meters until you reach a fork in the road (WP4 / car) and keep left. Follow the gravel road for about 2 kilometers until you reach the (Agiofaraggo parking lot). Gates along the way may be opened, but must be closed again afterward!

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

The following coordinates can be used for orientation during your journey and hike:

You can copy these coordinates and paste them into your online map provider (Google Maps, OpenStreetMap), or use the interactive hiking map. (WP = Waypoint)

Coordinates for Odigitrias Monastery – Agiofaraggo Parking Lot by car:

WP1 / Odigitrias monastery / car:         34.97354, 24.79876

WP2 / buildings / car:                                34.95405, 24.79693

WP3 / car:                                                     34.94851, 24.79564
WP4 / car:                                                     34.94998, 24.79492

Agiofaraggo parking lot:                          34.93725, 24.78148

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From here on, continue on foot!
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Directions from the Agiofaraggo parking lot to Agiofaraggo Beach (red waypoints) on foot:

From the parking lot (Agiofaraggo parking lot), walk through the small gate. Then continue for approximately 1 km along the marked path to the church (WP1 / Agios Antonios). Follow the path for about 500 m and you will reach the beach at the end of the gorge (WP2 / Agiofaraggo Beach). From here, return to the parking lot (Agiofaraggo parking lot) via the same route.

Coordinates red waypoint / parking Agiofaraggo to Agiofaraggo beach

Agiofaraggo parking lot:       34.93725, 24.78148

WP1 / Agios Antonios:           34.92951, 24.77908

WP2 / Agiofaraggo Beach:    34.92536, 24.7781

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Directions from the Agios Antonios junction to the sinkhole (purple waypoints) on foot:

From the Agios Antonios church (WP1 / Agios Antonios), walk approximately 125 meters towards the beach until you reach a small path branching off to the left (WP1 / sinkhole). Take this small path uphill. The path is a little hard to find, but it is marked. From the junction, walk approximately 20 meters to a small gate (WP2 / sinkhole). Follow the small path for approximately 70 meters to a fork in the path that is not easily visible (WP3 / sinkhole), and continue for approximately 150 meters until the path bends (WP4 / sinkhole). Continue for approximately 50 meters to another fork in the path (WP5 / sinkhole). Now leave the main path and turn right onto another path. We follow this path for approximately 100 meters until it narrows further (WP6 / sinkhole). Continue along the narrow path for another 100 meters until we reach the top of the sinkhole (WP7 / sinkhole top). For the return journey, we retrace our steps back to the church (WP1 / Agios Antonios).

Coordinates purple WP / Agios Antonios turnoff to the sinkhole:

WP1 / sinkhole:             34.92855, 24.77975

WP2 / sinkhole:             34.92846, 24.77986

WP3 / sinkhole:             34.928, 24.78016

WP4 / sinkhole:             34.92678, 24.78057

WP5 / sinkhole:             34.92654, 24.78099

WP6 / sinkhole:             34.92601, 24.78032

WP7 / 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!