April 2026
Saturday 4 – Sunday 5
Kissamos
Leader: Christoforos Cheiladakis • Hiking time: 4 + 5 hours • Difficulty: 1 + 1
On Saturday morning, we depart from Heraklion to Kastelli Kissamos, where we stay overnight at a hotel. Over the two days, we have the opportunity to hike on trails in the area. A detailed program is to be announced later.
Sunday 5
Sopata – Koudouma Gorge
Leader: Manolis Savvakis • Hiking time: 5 hour s • Difficulty: 2
From the village of Sternes, pickup trucks transfer us to the area of Sopata. From there, the first group—made up of the more experienced participants—follows the route through Koudoumas Gorge, which includes difficult sections and passages. The second group follows the forest trail or the dirt road. Both groups end at the Monastery of Koudoumas. The hike is carried out in cooperation with the Hellenic Mountaineering Club of Moires (EOS Moires).
Holy Thursday 9 – Easter Monday 13
Easter on Cyprus
Leader: Thomais Petropoulou
During the holy days of Greek-Orthodox Easter, our Club visits the birthplace of Aphrodite. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, both in terms of area and population. Its landscape has a strong Mediterranean character and offers a unique diversity that pleasantly surprises visitors, with forests covering 19% of the island’s surface. The most important mountain ranges are the Troodos Mountains, with Mount Olympus as their highest peak at 1,953m, and the Pentadaktylos Range, whose highest peak is Kyparissovouno (1,024m), located in the occupied part of the island. A detailed program is to be announced at a later date.
Sunday 19
Mt Kapsas
Leader: Dimitris Sfyrakis • Hiking time: 7 hours • Difficulty: 2
Our hike begins just before the village of Lastros, at an elevation of 350m. We follow the trail that connects Lastros with the Avgo Plateau and Kavousi. We then leave this main trail and take a path leading to the small chapel of Agios Giannis, located just before the summit of Kapsas, at an elevation of 832m. After that, we continue to the summit at 952m, then rejoin the main trail and descend back to the original path to reach Avgo (430m). We end at the village of Kavousi (110m).
Friday 24 – Wednesday 29
The Route of Truce
Leader: Eirini Pertselaki
The Route of Truce is a successful three-day event co-organized by the Municipality of Ilida and the Organizing Committee of the Truce Run, with its central event being a 50 km run from Ancient Ilida to Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese. Participants come from more than 25 countries. The event aims to highlight the Olympic value of the Truce. The race is non-competitive in nature, and all runners who finish are awarded. In the days following the race, we have the opportunity to hike in the surrounding area and enjoy very beautiful routes, such as the Centaur Gorge, the Foloi Forest, and others. The detailed program is to be announced at a later date.
Κυριακή 26
a. From Rhadamanthys to Minos II:
Plouti – Ancient Gortyna – Vourvoulitis – Kastellos – Ano Moulia
Leader: Giannis Ktistakis • Hiking time: 6 hours • Difficulty: 2
When Zeus, transformed into a white bull, abducted Europa, the princess of Phoenicia, he brought her to Gortyna, where they became lovers. From their union, three sons were born: Minos, who became king of Knossos; Rhadamanthys, king of Phaestos; and Sarpedon, king of Malia. Our Club aims to connect these four archaeological sites through a series of routes. In the first phase, we link Phaestos with Gortyna and then with Knossos. In the second phase, we connect the Palace of Malia with that of Knossos. It is a journey through the mythology, culture, and history of our land. Starting from Plouti, we follow a trail to reach the archaeological site of Gortyna. After a guided tour of the site, we continue along dirt roads to the village of Vourvoulitis. From there, we hike to Kastellos, and we complete our route—the second in this series—at the village of Ano Moulia.
Sunday 26
b. Via Ferrata
Leader: Thomas Viskadourakis • Hiking time: 5 hours • Difficulty: 3+
A route in the Asterousia Mountains, located in the Kapeitaniana area, features challenging via ferrata sections suitable for hikers with at least some basic climbing experience, as it includes fixed steel cables and metal steps at many points. The views over the Libyan Sea are spectacular. This outing is not recommended for people with a fear of heights or acrophobia.
