Cyclists looking for beautiful scenery, good food and sporting challenges as well as cultural destinations will find their little paradise on Greece's largest island, Crete. A crossing of the island in nine stages.
Character
At 260 kilometres long and up to 60 kilometres wide, Crete is the largest island in Greece. Three mountain ranges (Lefká Óri, Ída and Díkti mountains) with peaks almost 2,500 metres high demand fitness, but give the island a huge variety of landscapes. Apart from the main E75 route in the north, almost all roads are easy to cycle on. There is hardly any car traffic in the south of the island.
Itinerary
West Crete in 8 cycling stages and 1 boat passage: 395 kilometres, 8360 metres in altitude
1) Chaniá - Elafonísi; 79 km / 1200 metres in altitude; long and moderately difficult to difficult
2) Elafonísi - Paleochora; 28 km / 800 metres in altitude; short but demanding
3) Paleochóra - Agia Rouméli - Loutró - Chóra Sfakíon; boat trip; approx. 4-5 hours
4) Chóra Sfakíon - Frangokástello - Plakiás; 37 km / 780 metres in altitude; medium difficulty
5) Plakiás - Préveli - Ágios Pávlos; 45 km / 1270 metres in altitude; long and challenging
6) Ágios Pávlos - Mélambes - Agía Galíni; 30 km / 790 vertical metres; medium difficulty
7) Agía Galíni - Agía Triáda - Festós - Mátala; 31 km / 660 vertical metres; easy
8) Mátala - Ágii Déka - Górtis - Zarós; 50 km / 860 vertical metres; medium difficulty
9) Zarós - Gérgeri - Nída plateau - Anógia - Heráklion: 95 km / 2000 metres in altitude; very long and demanding
GPS data
Best time to travel
April to mid-June and mid-September/October.
Journey
There are direct flights from several German airports between April and October. Most flights land in Heráklion, but Chaniá is also served. Outside of the season, you can take a scheduled flight via Athens. From the capital, you can take a domestic flight to Crete in 50 minutes or a much cheaper 6-9 hour ferry ride. Bicycles can be checked in as special baggage with all airlines (70 to 100 euros return).
Accommodation
The summer high season is far too hot for cycling. In the low season, you can easily get rooms in any town without pre-booking. You can usually have a look at the rooms before you decide. They are usually simply furnished but clean and the sanitary facilities are good. Prices range from 30 euros (without breakfast) to 45 euros (with breakfast).
Our tip: The "Keramos" guesthouse in Zarós is not to be missed. The rooms are lovingly furnished and the landlady, Katerina, conjures up a breakfast of 16 freshly prepared delicacies, from pita filled with sheep's cheese and honey to dumplings with orange cream.
Maps
Anavasi Edition Topo 100 maps, scale 1 : 100,000; "No. 92 Lasithi", "No. 93 Iraklio Rethimno", "No. 94 Chania"; waterproof and tear-resistant maps with good map image and contour lines, all place names in Greek and Latin script; 10.90 euros each (available locally and in Germany). http://www.anavasi.gr
Travel guide
Crete Travel Guide, Michael Müller Verlag, 24.90 euros; very detailed, up-to-date travel guide. You will find practical information on almost every place. DuMont Art Travel Guide Crete, 25.90 euros; indispensable for anyone interested in Minoan and Byzantine art and culture.
More info
Greek Tourist Information Centre, Neue Mainzer Str. 22, 60311 Frankfurt, Tel. 069/2578270, http://www.visitgreece.gr
