Ano Asites and Kato Asites of the province Malevizi are two neighboring villages, built at the foot of the eastern Psiloritis range, in an area with many natural beauties, but also of historical importance. The inhabitants are mainly engaged in the cultivation of vines and olives, but also in animal husbandry.
Their name, Assites, is due to the settlement of soldiers of Nikephoros Phokas from Assos (current Behramkale in Turkey) after the liberation of Crete from the Arabs in 961 AD. They are mentioned for the first time in Venetian records of 1394.
It is worth walking through the colorful alleys of the two villages with their traditional coffee shops, visiting the Folklore Museum of Ano Asites, seeing the old churches, such as Saint Paraskevi and Christ in Kato Asites, walking through the gorges of Agios Antonios and Agios Charalambos.
The historic monastery of Saint George Gorgolainis dominates above Kato Asites. Also, Asites host the refuge of the Mountaineering Association of Heraklion at the location Prinos.
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Trail Rouvas Wood - Giristi - Prinos - Asites 
This part of the E4 trail connects the core of Rouvas Wood to the east outskirts of Psiloritis mount and gives its position to the next trail crossing the fertile valleys of Heraklion prefecture. It is quite tiring, as it ascends from altitude 950m to 1779m and then descends to 490m. The route offers a great experience of the oak wooded forest of Rouvas, the bare peaks of East Priloritis and, if you are lucky, a nice stay in the shelter of Prinos.
Panagia Kera church at Sarchos 
By Sarchos we meet one of the most impressive churches of Cretan innerland with a beautiful relief entrance and rear window, which is dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin Mary. The church dates back to the 14th century and is double-aisled, bearing very important frescoes.
This part of the E4 trail is quite easy and offers some nice views to the fertile valleys and vineyards of Heraklion prefecture. The route starts from Ano Asites and firstly meets the cavernous church of Saint Anthony and finishes at Prifitis Ilias. Note that there are long parts along roads, thus you could split the route into smaller parts and overcome some with a car or bike.
The ruined monastery of St. Anthony at location Petali was one of the finest religious monuments that patiently awaits its restoration. Here we discern the destroyed two-aisled church that was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Anthony. The south wall, the only one still standing belongs to the nave of St. Anthony.
The cavernous church of St. Anthony (Agios Antonios), maybe a former monastery, is located above the starting point of the gorge of Kato Asites, at a beautiful green location with plane trees and springs.
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