Trail Nida - Timios Stavros - Toumbotos Prinos
This is one of the most popular and well signed parts of the E4 European Trail, ascending to the highest peak of Crete, Timios Stavros (2456m). The course offers amazing views to almost entire island, as in clear days, we can see even Gavdos island. We usually meet snow from early winter months to early summer.
The E4 course starts from the chapel of Analipsis in Nida plateau, just below the sacred cave of the Minoans, Idaean Cave. We follow the signs to Timios Stavros and cross the arid stony landscape. As we ascend to Agathias saddle, we see that vegetation almost disappears. We reach the peak of Timios Stavros, named after the stone built chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros). The chapel celebrates on September 14, when pilgrimages arrive here from all places of Crete, most of which stay overnight (from September 13) in tents.
If we want to reach Toumbotos Prinos shelter in the return, we follow the trail back to Nida and we turn southwards in the trail to the shelter. We can stay on the shelter overnight, after having contacted the Mountaineering Club of Rethymnon.
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