«GORGE» ROUTE No 1
A HEAVEN ON EARTH WITH ARCHAEOLOGICAL, CULTURAL AND NATURAL INTEREST
TOTAL ROUTE LENGTH 4km or 8km
(8km for those who want to continue hiking around the lake of Patsos (Potamon Dam),
after the end of the gorge of Patsos)
HOW TO GET THERE (Patsos gorge, Rethymno, Crete)
We start from the village fountain which is located just beside the “PATSOS” traditional tavern. Then we are going down the narrow concrete path located opposite the water source, between a big iron gate and the very old high plane tree (300 years), for about 150m (2). Here, the road is wider (something like plateau) and we see:
1) In front of us a high old tree
2) On our right a small metal door from where the byzantine church (14th century A.D.) is just 20m
3) On our left we see a dirt road and a little further (20m) a big cistern.
We don’t go neither right nor left but we follow the downhill dirt road leaving some old houses on our right. After 200m (3) we meet on the right, a house with a short wall stone around it. Here we turn left following the downhill concrete-dirt road for about 350m meeting the asphalt main road (4).
We pass across the main road and following the downhill dirt road for about 300m and then the steep uphill for about 100m (5) until we meet a building (winery) on the left.
Then, we follow the dirt road for 100m (6) until we meet an asphalt road. We turn right and after 100m we follow the steep downhill where we see a big tavern on the right. Continuing, after 100m (7) we are in front of the entrance of the gorge, where a narrow footpath leads us to the small picturesque white chapel of St. Antonios (Agios Antonios), which is covered by towering and steep rocks. From there we pass the first wood bridge following the path of the gorge.
Then, we follow the dirt road for 100m (6) until we meet an asphalt road .
We turn right and after 100m we follow the steep downhill where we see a big tavern on the right. Continuing, after 100m (7) we are in front of the entrance of the gorge, where a narrow footpath leads us to the small picturesque white chapel of St. Antonios, which is covered by towering and steep rocks.
After enjoying the unique spectacle and all our senses are stimulated end up at Mrs Maria’s to continue the dream of delicious traditional dishes including fresh vegetables, meat, eggs, extra virgin olive oil, all organic and all locally produced in the family fields.
ENJOY HIKING!