The starting point of this route is Kalýves, the tourist resort located at the entrance of Soúda Bay.
At the village you may enjoy the sea on the great sandy beach with the crystal-clear waters -ideal for sea sports aficionados. To the east of the settlement, you may seek the ancient city with the small fortress, known as “Bíkorno”.
Leaving Kalýves, head east and at a distance of 5 km you will come across the other seaside village of Almyrída with its picturesque port and the fishing boats creating a truly idyllic scenery.
After Almyrída you continue uphill and after 4 km you come to the traditional settlement of Gavalochóri with a particularly interesting popular architecture. While walking around the settlement, don’t forget to visit the village Historical - Folklore Museum with its rich exhibits related to popular life. You are definitely in for a visit at the village women’s cooperative and admire handicrafts made using the traditional hand-made lace technique (kopanéli), similar examples of which you may find in the cities of Bruges, Belgium and Venice, Italy.
After walking past the platanus tree square, follow the path uphill and the signs will lead you to the restored 17th century pre-industrial oil press.
Just a little more walking will get you to the so-called Gavalianá Pigádia, which are carved in rock and have stone semi-domes that act like shelters -it’s a sight like no other.
If all this wandering around the village has made you hungry, you may stop for lunch at the picturesque square with the platanus tree and taste Cretan delicacies.
Continue your course eastbound, towards Vámos, a model agrotourism destination settlement. Leaving Vámos on a southbound direction, 6 km down the road you will meet the beautiful village of Vrýses. Here you may interpose the tour from Route 5.
From Vrýses you move west and will soon come across Tzitzifés, the birthplace of rizítiko song. The village produces delicious dairy and livestock products.
Continue your tour northbound on the Vrýses - Néo Chorió provincial road, towards the rural village of Fre with its magnificent architecture, where the locals produce olive oil, wine and livestock products.
Right before the settlement, make a stop at the enchanting site of Loutró for a sip of crystal-clear cool water from the fountain and catch your breath underneath the centennial platanus trees.
Going uphill, towards the village, enjoy the scenic path that is brimming with olive trees and vines.
Walk the settlement’s picturesque alleyways and narrow streets; admire the majestic church of Evangelístria (that has been declared a protected monument) with the icon of the Mother of Our Lord, painted by the Evangelist Luke; and visit other old churches as well.
Make a stop at the renovated Manoúsakas Mansion that houses the Museum of Fre. After Fre, move northbound and cross the most beautiful villages of Pemónia and Paidochóri to continue on a westbound course, towards Ramní.
You may sit at the traditional cafés on the beautiful central square, have a coffee or a rakí and sample a traditional dish with local specialties such as kalitsoúnia, mountain hórta (greens), boiled meat with rice or chochlioús -to name but a few.
Leaving Ramní, head northeast towards Stýlos that maintains to a great extent its traditional Cretan architecture and is well-known for the rich springs that flow in its square. Admire the two byzantine churches and visit the water bottling plant located at the square.
Next stop in your route, at a distance of 9 km, is Arméni, a small piece of heaven on earth, with tall platanus trees hiding the sky and rich springs flowing through their roots. It is a sight that will make you unwilling to ever leave.
Stop to catch your breath and have a coffee or a rakí at the traditional café under the old platanus tree. From here you will take the road back and in less than ten minutes you will have returned to Kalýves, the end of the route.
