Crete • Gorges of the Southwest

Arrival in the port Diakofti or the airport ‘Alexandros Aristotle Onasis’ of Kythira. Your rental car is delivered in the port or airport. After signing the necessary car rental documents, you drive to your accommodation in Livadi or Kapsali. Depending on your time of arrival you may already make up for your first walk.

Walk 1: Mylopotamos round walk 

The walk starts at the typical Greek village square of Milopotamos with its Kafeneio (traditional coffee house) under the plane tree. An impressive cobblestone trail takes you down into the gorge, housing the ruins of 23 watermills. There are four waterfalls on this trail that carry water most of the year. You then ascend to Kato Chora, with its Venetian castle from 1565. It is known as ‘Exobourgo’, and now an abandoned defensive fortified settlement well worth a visit. The walk crosses the whole settlement of Kato Chora with its narrow alleys and traditional houses.

4,7 km ; 150M acent, 150M descent ; 2 hours

Walk 2: Chora round walk via Kapsali Bay 

From the central square in Chora, you first descend through the main street of Chora. Just before the Kastro (so-called the ‘eye of Crete’), you head down passing by 14 Byzantine churches. A path cutting through the sharp turns of the road takes you down to the twin bays of Kapsali, the port of Chora. The views here are tremendous! After a break in one of the many cafés, you head back via a secluded beach. The ascent to Chora is tough, but views are rewarding! Those with extra energy can visit the Kastro before heading for a refreshing drink at the town square.

4,9 km ; 180M acent, 180M descent ; 2 hours

Walk 3: Chora round walk via Trachilas peninsula 

This trail follows the dirt road built by the German Army during WWII. They built a camp to set up their anti-aircraft machine guns, still visible during this walk. The crossing via ‘Diakopi’, the narrow strip of land to Trachilas, is not easy and requires light scrambling at some points (section can be skipped). On the way back you pass the cemetery of Chora and you ascend an old foot path back to Chora. Via the main road of Chora you reach the central square.

5,3 km ; 180M acent, 180M descent ; 2 hours

Walk 4: Round walk from Potamos via Trifyllianika and Paleochora 

The starting point is on the village square in Potamos which offers a lively market on Sunday morning where farmers from all over Kythira sell their products. Via Trifyllianika you reach the old trail to Paleochora. Once setting foot in the ruined citadel, part of the old fortress (until the 16th century the capital of the island), you can explore the ruins of this remarkable stronghold. The return via the dry riverbed is physically more challenging, but the shade makes for a welcoming freshness. Through an aromatic pine forest you walk back to Potamos.

8,5 km ; 200M acent, 200M descent ; 3 hours

Walk 5: Aroniadika round walk 

Though most visitors to the island come for its splendid beaches, the actual history of the local population lies in the heartland of the isle, where small villages were built that they were protected from the strong western winds and the frequent pirate attacks during antiquity.

Still today most permanent citizens live in the villages along the ‘spine’ of the island. During this walk you pass through 7 of these traditional villages. You will see how close the houses are built to each other. Crossing the fields via old cobbled paths, you see many remains of threshing floors and wells, some still in use by local farmers.

8,7 km ; 140M acent, 140M descent ; 3,5 hours

Walk 6: Livadi round walk along vineyard, fields, Ag. Dimitrios ancient church 

This walk is not part of the local Kythera trail network. Because you may opt to stay in this lively village, this walk is just on your doorstep and should not be missed. The walk leads along vineyards and olive groves and the big church Kaki Melissa (‘Bad Bee’). A scenic path leads you to the tiny hamlet of Klaradika. Nearby is the distinctive church of Agios Dimitrios which has a unique shape and is the oldest in Kythira. Along vineyards and through low bushes you walk back to Livadi.

200 km ; 200M acent, 200M descent ; 3,5 hours

Walk 7: Kapsali round walk via Ag. Ioannis, Xeroniamata and Agia Sophia cave church 

From Kapsali Bay you start ascending via dirt roads, along hotel El Sol. This walk reveals more of the rural inland, and runs on easier dirt roads. From the monastery of Agios Ioannis onwards the trail heads again towards the south and becomes more challenging. During the last section before reaching the Agia Sophia church in a cave the path is very narrow and crosses the ravine at higher altitude. From the cave you walk back to Kapsali Bay. Especially the last section reveals the wonderful bay and turquoise sea.

10,4 km ; 400 M ascent , 400 M descent ; 4 hours

Walk 8: Karavas round walk via Amir Ali springs, Moudari light house and the Keramari springs (walk can be shortened) 

The longest walk on Kythira starts in the northern village Karavas. First you come to the refreshing springs of Amir Ali. Here starts a cobbled trail that ascends to the abandoned settlement of Mavrogiorgianika, situated high above the valley. Through rural countryside you descend gradually to the Agios Nikolaos church on the beach. Across the sea strait one spots the Peloponnese with the town Neapoli glimmering on the horizon. Further up is the unique light house of Moudari. A nice coastal trail connects the lighthouse to Platia Ammos beach. After a refreshment it is uphill and back to Amir Ali, the last section through the breath-taking scenery. From Amir Ali you make an optional loop through a lush river valley and along the Keramari springs before heading back to Karavas.

14,5 Km ; 350 M ascent , 1100 descent ; 4 hours

You drive to the airport of Kythira or the port of Diakofti to drop-off your rental car and depart from Kythira.