Starting from Tylisos via the provincial road, our first destination is Gonies, particularly the Ophiolites of Gonies, represented by characteristic green peridotites of the ophiolite complex (oceanic crust rocks), from which the "Geo-Path of Gonies" begins. Next, we find Sisarcha, a small settlement with a traditional coffee shop – agricultural record store where it is worth making a stop, followed by Anogeia and the Nida plateau at an altitude of 1,187 meters.
After Anogeia, we encounter Axos – one of the most important villages of mountainous Mylopotamos – where tholos tombs, the temple of Aphrodite, parts of ancient walls, and 9 Byzantine churches are preserved. Then, we reach Zoniana and the "Sfentoni Cave," the largest in Crete. The cave is considered the most beautiful visitable cave in Crete, and one of the most beautiful in Greece, with very rich stalactite and stalagmite formations. It belongs to the Psiloritis Natural Park, which has been included in the UNESCO Geoparks.
In Zoniana, there is also the Damothi plateau – the highest plateau on the island – with its unique natural beauty. The next point is the village of Krana, another mountainous village of Mylopotamos, followed by Livadia – an important livestock village in Crete – built at an altitude of 600 meters. There is Mygeros plateau and the namesake refuge, accessible by a road of about 13 km.
Agios Ioannis – a designated traditional settlement – follows Livadia, and further along the route, we encounter Agios Mamas, yet another mountainous village of Mylopotamos. The final destination is Perama, a lowland village embraced by the blue waters of the Geropotamos beach.
For more informations, check the Psiloritis Geopark official site
The geotrail is a result of the research project Joint Innovative Activities for Outdoor Tourism-JoinOut. The project entitled "Partnership of Innovative Rural Tourism Actions" and distinctive title: "JoInOuT", is implemented within the framework of the Action "Cooperative Innovation Formations/SCC" - 2nd Call: Businesses" and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by National Resources in the context of the Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPANEK)" of the NSRF 2014-2020" (Project code: ΓΓ2CL-0359457).
