Experience

From Gerakari the European E4 trail continues for Elenes and then to Amari. Then it comes through the villages Opsigias, Petrohori, Vizari and Fourfouras. From there it ascends to Psiloritis Mount, via road (up to 760m. altitude) and trail, to reach the mountain shelter of Toumbotos Prinos. The route runs through a wooded and rough landscape, with mainly oak trees.

This part of the E4 European path runs along the main paved road connecting Askyfou with Asfendou and Kallikratis villages. The road crosses the scenic and wild east part of the White Mountains and has amazing views to their core to the west. It is suggested that you visit the path with a car.

Just a few meters to the west of Tsoutsouros, the very narrow and smaller gorge of Troulla is formed. Being shorter than the Tsoutsouros canyon, it has attracted the attention of the canyoners and is very impressive with more than 15 beautiful waterfalls along its bed, the largest being 15m high.

Kofinas can be reached with a short, but very steep and majestic trail, which starts near the church of Panagia in the northern foothills of the peak. The church can be reached via a dirt road starting from Kapetaniana or Sternes. The views over the top is excellent and walking in the trail is not recommended for those with fear of heights.

The gorge of Psaro Nero is located 55km southeast of Heraklion. It is a short inaccessible canyon with high waterfalls (rapels), very well known to canyoners of Crete. Psaro Nero with its wonderful rock formations has water till late spring. It is initially open and closes abruptly close to the end, where the high rappels are (the highest is 25m). The gorge empties into Baritis River, a tributary of Anapodaris, near Katofygi.

This part of the European E4 trail comes across the piney woods of Prina and Meseleri. It is entirely through dirt roads and it is an ideal option for cycling in Crete. Signing of the E4 (yellow -black marks) is quite adequate.

The part of the E4 trail that starts from Margarites and finishes at Houmeri is mostly along the main road connecting the villages of the area (Pigouniana, Orthes, Kalandare, Kalamas, Pasalites). The highlights of the route include the ceramic centre of Margarites village, the well preserved samples of the tradional house architecture and some important churches.

The branch of the European path E4 that descends from Kryoneritis heads northwards to meet the north E4 branch coming from Argiroupolis. This part of the route offers a nice stroll in lush green ravines and the ghost village of Nissi near Moudros and Kato Poros.