Sfakia

Samaria settlement

The settlement of Samaria was named after a chapel of Osia Maria, located near a cave; there, according to the popular tradition, the lesser saint Osia Maria

Frangokastello

The area was named after the fortress built there by the Venetians in 1371, in order to control the area.

Saint Paul’s chapel

The Byzantine chapel of Saint Paul (Agios Pavlos) is located east of Agia Roumeli, within a walking distance of approximately 30 minutes, along the E4 path.

Plateau of Kallikratis

Kallikratis is a small plateau (named by the village located there) in the White Mountains in Sfakia province, at an elevation of some 540 m.

Nature Activities

Hiking

Mountaineering

Mountain Biking

Plateau of Niato

Nitaos is a small plateau, at some 1,200 m: a polje, like all such in Crete.

With neither inhabitants nor agriculture, the plain was only ever used for grazing and fodder. On a small hill, near the eastern access point, is a new-built refuge-shelter of the Mountaineering Association of Chania.

Nature Activities

Hiking

Mountaineering

Bird Watching

Mountain Biking

Plateau of Anopolis

Plateau of Anopolis is just 13 km from Chora Sfakion. A winding road climbs the bare mountains, offering extensive views out to Gavdos: it ends in a pine-covered plain.

Anopoli is an important settlement – a village that sits on the ancient city of the same name: one of those cities of Crete that were allied to Eumenes II of Pergamum. It thus maintained its independence, minted its own coinage and flourished, chiefly in the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Nature Activities

Hiking

Mountaineering

Bird Watching

Mountain Biking