Plakias - Argiroupolis - Asigonia - Imbros -

[John R]

This trip we have done before but now the whole route is tarmac. It is a beautiful journey from Plakias to Asigonia which lies at the head of a VERY deep valley with mountains towering above. Lots of villages to visit especially Argiroupolis. A superb quality road now zig zags up the head of the valley out of Assigonia to the top of the valley - utterly incredible. then a fabulous journey over desolate countrieside via Kallikratis and Asfendos - very high up till one eventually looks DOWN on to Imbros village way down far below to which the now rather narrow but tarmac road descends. Then down the Imbros Gorge road to Hora Sfakion. By now it will be late afternoon and the views between Sfakion and Plakias along that coast road are more than spectacular and I think the best in Crete - especially in late afternoon sunlight. This journey for us has to be the best in Crete. OK for motor bikes as well in good weather. Very exposed on the tops. The rough guide is out of date re the route from Asigonia - I have updated them. All excellent roads - jeeps not required but a good head for heights is required.

John R

[Yvonne]

 I fully agree with Andrew.  We have been many times and just cannot believe the beauty of it all.  
Yvonne

[harribobs]

 

this sounds like a very interesting drive John, we walked the road between Asfendos and kallikrati last month and i was wondering where we would have ended up if we hadn't gone down the gorge

chris

[Susan K]

Having no head for heights I think I will pass on this one.

Susan

[George]

Thanks John
I've copied the route and pasted it into my 'places to go' list for this year. If I haven't already been there!

george g...

[harribobs]

btw...Asi Gonia was the home of George Psychoundakis ( apologies if i spell that wrong), 'The Cretan Runner'  who died this year

[paxmere]

I agree the route is wonderful. We did the route last year. At one point we saw a chapel far below the road ... Later the same chapel was away above us!!
I also read "The Cretan Runner" whilst in Plak in May. I found the book very moving. We had a day trip to some of the villages mentioned in the book. It was difficult to realise that pretty Cretan villages north of Mt Kendros... ie Vrysses, Dryes and Ano Meros were totally destroyed and had to be rebuilt. The book speaks volumes about the Cretan character.

[harribobs]

It was difficult to realise that pretty Cretan villages north of Mt Kendros... ie Vrysses, Dryes and Ano Meros were totally destroyed and had to be rebuilt. The book speaks volumes about the Cretan character.
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closer to 'home',  Rodakino was also burnt out as well  

[George]

'The book speaks volumes about the Cretan character.'

Totally agree, I think I've said something along these lines somewhere else in the Forum.

george g...

[paxmere]

Harribobs has now told me how to attach a photo... Photo taken on the roadside just outside Asi Gonia looking south. It will give members a feeling of the size of the mountains. If you look very carefully , in the left centre of the photo, half way up the mountain you can just make out a white chapel. As we dropped down into Asi Gonia from Kallikrtis this chapel was far below us.

[paxmere]

Harribobs has now told me how to attach a photo... Photo taken on the roadside just outside Asi Gonia looking south. It will give members a feeling of the size of the mountains. If you look very carefully , in the left centre of the photo, half way up the mountain you can just make out a white chapel. As we dropped down into Asi Gonia from Kallikrtis this chapel was far below us.

[Graham_and_Karen]

We took the Kapsodasos to Kalikratis road this year, then to Imbros, a walk down the gorge, lift back to the top, then down to the clothing optional beach east of Frangokastello - a full day, and much recommended.
Some info, based on our experience; if, after walking the gorge, you're wanting a lift back to Imbros to pick up the car, 20 Euro is the standard price for 4 people in a truck. The driver may then pick up others at 5 Euro each if there's room. Initially we thought we should have got it cheaper but it's actually quite a long ride by road and well worth the money

[Graham_and_Karen]

Any piccys of your Gorge walk ?

yes quite a few - not had time to sort through them yet - maybe by Christmas