Plakias Forums
Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: Mike G on August 31, 2010, 01:43:00 PM
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When I first climbed it about 5 years ago I went up the "western", poorly defined path to the top which starts (as described in Lance Chilton's Plakias walks book- 2003 edition) at a point overlooked by a small chapel on a hillock to the west. The last two times I went up I used the well defined, initially ziz-zag, track that starts from the south side of the mountain, overlooking the Libyan sea. Last year I couldn't find the "western" path although as I was on my way home and pretty tired I didn't really search for it.
Could anyone who has climbed Timeos Stavros this year advise if this path is still in existence or whether it has become too overgrown to be useable.
Mike
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When I first climbed it about 5 years ago I went up the "western", poorly defined path to the top which starts (as described in Lance Chilton's Plakias walks book- 2003 edition) at a point overlooked by a small chapel on a hillock to the west. The last two times I went up I used the well defined, initially ziz-zag, track that starts from the south side of the mountain, overlooking the Libyan sea. Last year I couldn't find the "western" path although as I was on my way home and pretty tired I didn't really search for it.
Could anyone who has climbed Timeos Stavros this year advise if this path is still in existence or whether it has become too overgrown to be useable.
Mike
Not this year, but when we first climbed it in 2007, we managed to follow the western path briefly (going down) but then lost it. In 2008 we struggled to make out any of the path; certainly not well enough for us to follow.
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Oh no, there's not another way up it? Is it easier than the zig zag way? Not that i will climb it again!
Barny.
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Oh no, there's not another way up it? Is it easier than the zig zag way? Not that i will climb it again!
Barny.
Nothing easier than the zig-zag path Barny (not sure whether that's good news for you or not )
If you don't fancy Timeos Stavros again, how about Kaka Mouri (above the cliff at the far end). Great views of the bay.
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Sue and I climbed Timeos Stavros for the first time two or three years ago and it was a wonderful experience (don't ask me what route we took).
Looking forward to returning to Plakias and Stella's yet again later this month.
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how about Kaka Mouri (above the cliff at the far end). Great views of the bay.
Hello G&K,
Is the path up it easy to find? I've often thought about it but there wasn't any obvious path visible or on Google maps.
Mike
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Mike, my memory's not so good and we aren't the best at finding or keeping to paths but I do remember that we started at the path behind the Plakias Bay hotel that gets you to the top of the cliff, then walked round the headland some way. There were two opportunities to climb. I think walking further round got to the easier route where, looking up you could see a saddle. No path as such but easy enough climbing to the top of the saddle, then left following the ridge to the peak.
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Barny.[/quote]
Nothing easier than the zig-zag path Barny (not sure whether that's good news for you or not )
If you don't fancy Timeos Stavros again, how about Kaka Mouri (above the cliff at the far end). Great views of the bay.
[/quote]
I was knackered ! I should not have gone up mid morning in August in shorts and beach shoes! I will be better prepared next climb ( I will take a hat)
Barny.
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Mike, my memory's not so good and we aren't the best at finding or keeping to paths but I do remember that we started at the path behind the Plakias Bay hotel that gets you to the top of the cliff, then walked round the headland some way. There were two opportunities to climb. I think walking further round got to the easier route where, looking up you could see a saddle. No path as such but easy enough climbing to the top of the saddle, then left following the ridge to the peak.
Was this a difficult walk and can you remember roughly how long it took you? I'm looking for some new walks to do when we go back next year but in the Lance Chiltern book I've got the walk starts from Lefkoyia. I don't want anything too strenuous but wouldn't mind giving this a go if it's not too difficult.
Are there any other walking books on the area around Plakias apart from Lance Chiltern's?
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Mike, my memory's not so good and we aren't the best at finding or keeping to paths but I do remember that we started at the path behind the Plakias Bay hotel that gets you to the top of the cliff, then walked round the headland some way. There were two opportunities to climb. I think walking further round got to the easier route where, looking up you could see a saddle. No path as such but easy enough climbing to the top of the saddle, then left following the ridge to the peak.
Was this a difficult walk and can you remember roughly how long it took you? I'm looking for some new walks to do when we go back next year but in the Lance Chiltern book I've got the walk starts from Lefkoyia. I don't want anything too strenuous but wouldn't mind giving this a go if it's not too difficult.
Are there any other walking books on the area around Plakias apart from Lance Chiltern's?
Gemma -Kaka Mouri is certainly not as strenuous as Timeos Stavros and I'd think you'd want to start from Plakias, not Lefkoyia. Even if you don't get to the top, it's still worth following the path round the headland at the level of the top of the cliff. You can get good views of the Kalypso hotel. As an alternative to LC's book, have a look at Peter Thomson's walks at: http://www.peter-thomson.co.uk/crete/Where...ng_Plakias.html (http://www.peter-thomson.co.uk/crete/Where_to_start_walking_or_cycling_Plakias.html)
From there you'll find lots of walks listed although there's a limited number of circular walks. Following the irrigation channel is very pleasant.
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Gemma -Kaka Mouri is certainly not as strenuous as Timeos Stavros and I'd think you'd want to start from Plakias, not Lefkoyia. Even if you don't get to the top, it's still worth following the path round the headland at the level of the top of the cliff. You can get good views of the Kalypso hotel. As an alternative to LC's book, have a look at Peter Thomson's walks at: [url]http://www.peter-thomson.co.uk/crete/Where...ng_Plakias.html[/url] ([url]http://www.peter-thomson.co.uk/crete/Where_to_start_walking_or_cycling_Plakias.html[/url])
From there you'll find lots of walks listed although there's a limited number of circular walks. Following the irrigation channel is very pleasant.
I'm not sure if I'm on the correct track here - if you'll excuse the pun but last September we walked right round the headland starting and finishing at the Plakias Bay Hotel. There is now a very spectacular new concrete stair case down the cliff face to the Kalypso Hotel and one can walk down that, past the hotel and onward round the headland. A very easy walk and one of the best values for effort in our opinion. The previous year we got to the half built stairway down to the Kalypso and had we continued and stepped of the then bottom step we would have plunged a considerable drop on to the Kalypso Hotel driveway. Health and Safety left to common sense and sighted people in that area. The stairway is obviously now complete !! This walk will be high on our list of to do's when we get there in 8 days time.
John R
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My daughters photo from Timeos Stavros yesterday afternoon. Lovely.
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I'm not sure if I'm on the correct track here - if you'll excuse the pun but last September we walked right round the headland starting and finishing at the Plakias Bay Hotel. There is now a very spectacular new concrete stair case down the cliff face to the Kalypso Hotel and one can walk down that, past the hotel and onward round the headland. A very easy walk and one of the best values for effort in our opinion. The previous year we got to the half built stairway down to the Kalypso and had we continued and stepped of the then bottom step we would have plunged a considerable drop on to the Kalypso Hotel driveway. Health and Safety left to common sense and sighted people in that area. The stairway is obviously now complete !! This walk will be high on our list of to do's when we get there in 8 days time.
John R
Interesting John. Am I right in thinking you walked from Plakias Bay hotel along the face of the cliff, until the path reached the cave entrance, and then just carried on around the headland, as you have described, to Kalypso?
Seems like a decent new walk in the Plakias area which is welcome.
Mike
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Mike, my memory's not so good and we aren't the best at finding or keeping to paths but I do remember that we started at the path behind the Plakias Bay hotel that gets you to the top of the cliff, then walked round the headland some way. There were two opportunities to climb. I think walking further round got to the easier route where, looking up you could see a saddle. No path as such but easy enough climbing to the top of the saddle, then left following the ridge to the peak.
Was this a difficult walk and can you remember roughly how long it took you? I'm looking for some new walks to do when we go back next year but in the Lance Chiltern book I've got the walk starts from Lefkoyia. I don't want anything too strenuous but wouldn't mind giving this a go if it's not too difficult.
Are there any other walking books on the area around Plakias apart from Lance Chiltern's?
Gemma -Kaka Mouri is certainly not as strenuous as Timeos Stavros and I'd think you'd want to start from Plakias, not Lefkoyia. Even if you don't get to the top, it's still worth following the path round the headland at the level of the top of the cliff. You can get good views of the Kalypso hotel. As an alternative to LC's book, have a look at Peter Thomson's walks at: [url]http://www.peter-thomson.co.uk/crete/Where...ng_Plakias.html[/url] ([url]http://www.peter-thomson.co.uk/crete/Where_to_start_walking_or_cycling_Plakias.html[/url])
From there you'll find lots of walks listed although there's a limited number of circular walks. Following the irrigation channel is very pleasant.
Thanks for the link to Peter Thomson's website, there are some stunning pictures
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I'm not sure if I'm on the correct track here - if you'll excuse the pun but last September we walked right round the headland starting and finishing at the Plakias Bay Hotel. There is now a very spectacular new concrete stair case down the cliff face to the Kalypso Hotel and one can walk down that, past the hotel and onward round the headland. A very easy walk and one of the best values for effort in our opinion. The previous year we got to the half built stairway down to the Kalypso and had we continued and stepped of the then bottom step we would have plunged a considerable drop on to the Kalypso Hotel driveway. Health and Safety left to common sense and sighted people in that area. The stairway is obviously now complete !! This walk will be high on our list of to do's when we get there in 8 days time.
John R
Will definitely give this one a try John. Think I'll start cutting and pasting a few bits into a new document to add to the literature I've already got on Plakias
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Interesting John. Am I right in thinking you walked from Plakias Bay hotel along the face of the cliff, until the path reached the cave entrance, and then just carried on around the headland, as you have described, to Kalypso?
Seems like a decent new walk in the Plakias area which is welcome.
Mike
We actually walked the other way round, first going through the olive groves towards Damoni (where we lunched and then made back to the Kalypso track). The track from Kalypso complex back to Plakias bay hotel vicinity took us (I think) higher that the cave entrances. I have to confess I've always missed these - must see them soon. The track was actually on the top of the cliff face. There may be other lower tracks but we followed a clearly defined track all the way. The most difficult decision being where to exit from the side of the driveway to Kalypso. An excellent not very strenuous walk with terrific views
John R
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John R[/quote]
Interesting John. Am I right in thinking you walked from Plakias Bay hotel along the face of the cliff, until the path reached the cave entrance, and then just carried on around the headland, as you have described, to Kalypso?
Seems like a decent new walk in the Plakias area which is welcome.
The path at the bottom of the cliff to the caves is a dead end, with no way round the headland.
It is also starting to become eroded in places and a bit unsafe.
The path you need runs above the cliff face and climbs steadily up to the right.
It eventually comes out at the road which leads down to Kalypso.
But if, instead of going down the road to Kalypso, you turn left and climb up that road to the top of the hill, you will come to a track on your left which leads to some new (abandoned) houses.
Take this rough track and climb up to the radio masts.
There is then a track, on you left, back down, which joins up with the track running above the cliff, giving a very good, short walk.
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We actually walked the other way round, first going through the olive groves towards Damoni (where we lunched and then made back to the Kalypso track). The track from Kalypso complex back to Plakias bay hotel vicinity took us (I think) higher that the cave entrances. I have to confess I've always missed these - must see them soon. The track was actually on the top of the cliff face. There may be other lower tracks but we followed a clearly defined track all the way. The most difficult decision being where to exit from the side of the driveway to Kalypso. An excellent not very strenuous walk with terrific views
John R
You really should do the walk to the tunnels, John (and we should walk to the Kalypso sometime).
BTW - For anypne into Geo-caching, there's one on the way to the tunnels (detouring slightly to the gun emplacement)
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Thanks John and Daniel. As I shall probably start at Plakias Bay hotel can anyone advise if the path from there along the top of the cliff is obvious. I shall probably try and follow the print outs I have made from Google maps as I have found these very useful in Tingaki, Kos, where there are no walk books available (that I know of anyway).
Mike
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Thanks John and Daniel. As I shall probably start at Plakias Bay hotel can anyone advise if the path from there along the top of the cliff is obvious. I shall probably try and follow the print outs I have made from Google maps as I have found these very useful in Tingaki, Kos, where there are no walk books available (that I know of anyway).
Mike
Can't honestly remember how obvious it was for going up. Coming down was no problem as we were already on path and pointing in right direction. I don't think you can go far wrong by using your sense of direction etc.
John
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You will need to walk about 220 yards up the track which passes behind the Plakias Bay Hotel (the path which leads toward Danomi) to find the start of the path you need.
From then on, the path climbs at a stead rate and is clear until about half way up.
It then becomes a little indistinct but if you remember that you need to keep gaining height, you will find the correct way.
The views of Plakias and it's bay are great and well worth the effort of the climb.