Katholiko Bay is a slender inlet on Akrotiri Peninsula, close to the Chania Airport, on the Greek Island of Crete. This sliver of turquoise water, bordered by crusty white rock, can solely be reached on foot.
Beginning at Gouverneto Monastery automotive park, the path initially follows the pilgrimage path to Arkoudospilio Cave, the Cave of St. John the Hermit, and the deserted Katholiko Monastery. Subsequent, the path drops right down to the mattress of Katholiko Gorge (aka Avlaki Gorge) after which gracefully contours by way of the rocky panorama to the hidden bay.
Our hike to Katholiko Bay was a favourite in Crete, because of the winding path that snakes by way of the dramatic Katholiko Gorge earlier than assembly the ocean. It’s gorgeous!!!
Good to know: Although there are various movies and articles selling swimming at Katholiko Seaside, there may be really no seaside and swimming is strictly prohibited. On the trailhead, an indication states that Katholiko Bay lies inside personal monastery grounds, and is thus reserved for pilgrims, worshippers, and walkers, not for swimmers or sunbathers.
Katholiko Bay Mountaineering Map
Important Path Data
Get to Gouverneto Monastery | The best solution to get to Gouverneto Monastery is by driving. You’ll drive previous Agia Triada Monastery (Holy Trinity Monastery) on the way in which. We rented a automotive at Chania Airport for our journey to Crete. In any other case, it’s essential manage a taxi drop-off and pick-up.
Mountaineering Season | Spring (March – Might) or autumn (October – November), when temperatures are delicate.
Issue | That is an easy-moderate hike. The way in which to Katholiko Monastery principally follows an uneven cobbled pathway with some stairs. The path by way of the gorge is rocky, however principally flat.
Path Variations | It is a easy out-and-back hike. There aren’t any variations.
The place to Eat | We’ve heard nice issues about Alibertos Meals & Wine (Google Maps), situated about midway between Gouverneto Monastery and Chania.
Accountable Journey & Code of Conduct | Drones, canine, smoking, biking, and low cups are all prohibited. As said earlier, swimming and sunbathing are additionally not allowed at Katholiko Bay. Additionally, costume respectfully, as you’ll when coming into a church or any sacred place. In response to the mounted signal, this implies no bathing fits, shorts, or sleeveless shirts.
Security | Put on footwear, not flip flops, and produce ample water.
Katholiko Gorge and Katholiko Bay Path Description
Gouverneto Monastery to Arkoudospilio Cave (20 minutes)
Going through north, find the gate on the left facet of the automotive park. Notice that this gate closes at 7 pm.
Simply past the gate, there’s a ticket sales space. Throughout the principle vacation season, all guests together with hikers should pay a small entrance price.
Observe the street that runs alongside the stone wall of Gouverneto Monastery. Earlier than lengthy, the monastery will seem in your left. Proceed strolling alongside the fence.
With views of the ocean, the gravel path turns right into a cobbled path, gently descending throughout an arid and sunbaked panorama, strewn with low-lying vegetation.
The trail results in the weathered monastery ruins that stand earlier than the mouth of the Arkoudospilio Cave.
In Hellenisitc occasions, the massive Arkoudospilio Cave served as a temple devoted to the goddess Artemis. It’s referred to as Bear Cave, named for the massive, animal-shaped stalagmite close to its entrance. Right here, sacrifices had been carried out to the goddess. Later, the cave was changed into a Christian chapel and monastery.
Arkoudospilio Cave to Katholiko Monastery (20 minutes)
Because the cobbled path drops down in serpentines, the rugged limestone partitions of Katholiko Gorge come totally into view.
Between the cliff and a rock wall barrier, steep stairs lead right down to the cave of St. John the Hermit and the monastery ruins of Saint John the Hermit (aka Katholiko monastery). The Katholiko monastery church is constructed instantly into the cliff.
For hundreds of years, this was a non secular middle devoted to the observe of asceticism. Monks lived in remoted caves and hermitages, devoting their life to prayer and self-discipline. Katholiko flourished throughout each the Byzantine and Venetian Eras, the latter which contributed to the ultimate type of the monastery construction. It was deserted within the Seventeenth century as a result of frequent pirate assaults.
Katholiko Monastery – Katholiko Gorge – Katholiko Bay (20 minutes)
To entry the Katholiko gorge path, hike down the steps to the decrease stage of the monastery, beneath the church. Preserve the identical path, with the arches in your left and one other monastic construction in your proper.
After descending the cliff to the mattress of the gorge, the path ranges and passes by way of the large arch of the monastery.
Although very brief, this gorge path is sensational as a result of rugged limestone partitions, creamy-white on a sunny day.
In comparison with different gorge hikes like Aradena Gorge there aren’t any technical passages, requiring clamoring over boulders or traversing steep scree fields. Just like Aradena you might come throughout a goat carcass while climbing by way of the gorge.
The slender bay of Katholiko is the ultimate vacation spot alongside this brief and candy hike. Although the journey by way of the limestone gorge lasts not more than twenty minutes, it left us quietly awestruck.
The path doesn’t formally proceed, however fantastic views await on both facet of the inlet.
Katholiko Bay to Gouverneto Monastery (1:10 hours)
Return to Gouverneto Monastery alongside the identical path.
The place to Keep in Chania
Vibrant and effortlessly charming, Chania is a must-visit metropolis in Crete. Spend just a few days right here to soak in its full of life ambiance, savor its scrumptious delicacies, and wander by way of its picturesque slender streets.
We suggest reserving a resort inside strolling distance of the historic city of Chania. Nevertheless, in case you’re renting a automotive and also you need to keep in a seafront location, take a look at Tanneries Resort & Spa and Elia Sea Suites.
Begin planning your journey with our Chania Itinerary and The place to Keep in Chania.
Good to Know | Many lodging have a minimal keep requirement of two+ nights.
Parking | The previous city of Chania is a tangle of slender lanes. Unsurprisingly, most lodging don’t provide on-site parking. Attain out to your lodging for parking directions earlier than arrival.
The place We Stayed – Price range/Midrange | Theta Seaside Boutique Resort is a contemporary boutique resort situated between the Venetian Port and Koum Kapi neighborhood. We beloved the placement, our fashionable sea-facing room, outfitted with a nespresso machine and kettle, and the hospitality. We parked throughout the road within the free automotive park.
Midrange | Set within the coronary heart of the Outdated City, 3-star Malmo Historic Resort presents tastefully-furnished rooms and breakfast, served on the terrace.
Midrange-Luxurious | Aisha Resort presents a primary location within the Outdated City with suites both going through town or the Venetian Harbor (e book a deluxe suite with sea view). Throughout excessive season, the world can get full of life as a result of close by golf equipment—one thing to remember in case you’re in search of a quieter keep.
Luxurious | Monastery Property Venetian Harbor presents minimalist design suites, some with personal terraces and sizzling tubs, together with spa amenities and a scrumptious breakfast, served within the resort courtyard. The resort is housed in a restored Sixteenth-century mansion of a Venetian nobleman that later served because the residence of a senior Ottoman official and his harem. Throughout the restoration course of, archaeologists uncovered historical Roman partitions, that are seen right this moment beneath a glass show.
Luxurious | Nestled inside a lovingly-restored Seventeenth-century Venetian villa, AZADE Chania enchants with its fantastically designed rooms and scrumptious Cretan breakfast.
Extra Crete Journey & Mountaineering Guides
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