Hi everyone! My name is Helen and I love exploring Crete, the mountains and the trails. I am excited to share with you some of my favourite routes 🙂
Located just 10km from Chania, the Monastery of Agia Kiriaki in Varipetro is a hidden gem nestled in a beautiful gorge, surrounded by a protected grove with a river and several cavernous churches accessible through stone-paved trails. The ecosystem here is very rich and unique, with thoughtful labels identifying the flora and fauna along the way.
The best way to discover the monastery and its surrounding area is to start from the Agia Kiriaki church. Here you can park your car (or bicycle!) and take a walk across the valley, following the little paths that lead to the tiny churches in caves, and eventually ascending straight to the monastery.
To properly explore the area, make sure to devote at least 1-2 hours and I would highly recommend bringing a picnic or at least some snacks. The trail involves a lot of steps, so make sure you have plenty of water and are wearing comfortable shoes. You'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding gorge and the monastery itself.
The monastery is open for visitors on the weekends, and you can explore its rich history. It was first built in the 17th century and served as a haven from the Turkish invaders in the 19th century. It eventually fell into ruin but was renovated in the 90s, bringing it back to its former glory. Within the walls of the monastery, you'll find the chapel and its peaceful surroundings. Currently, 12 nuns call the monastery home, and the complex has been owned by the nearby monastery Chrysopigi since 1637.
Around the monastery, there is a beautiful garden with various fruit trees, making it a serene spot to take a break and soak in the scenery. If the walk didn’t tire you up, you can also check out the ruins of the Byzantine castle situated right above the monastery.
Overall, the Agia Kiriaki Monastery trail offers a combination of history, nature, and breathtaking views that make it well worth the visit. It's a short but sweet hike suitable for all levels, and a great destination for families.
It is also from the monastery that hardcore hikers will find the trail that leads all the way up to Theriso village and can be found on Avenza maps
The Power of Community
If I can share all this information with you it is because I am so passionate about running and hiking. Running has changed my life completely.
For me it’s as much for my physical health as well as my mental health but more importantly it is the community that comes with it that makes it so special.
I still remember when I first started running (jogging!) and it wasn’t easy. My mission is to support as many people as possible on their way to discovering not only the health benefits but also the fun of running, being in nature and sharing great moments with a group of likeminded people.
That is why I organise a free social run every Monday, I have developed a Step into Running program for people who would like to start running and I create fun activities to get children excited about being in nature. Click on the links to find out more.
Who is speaking?
I am Helen, I am an ultra runner and sports nutritional advisor. I am Cretan British and I have been coming to the island for 35 years. I lived and worked in the UK, Asia and America before quitting the corporate world and discovering my passion for running and the outdoors
I set the women's world record for the fastest known time to run across the state of Arizona which was 1,400kms, running for 17 consecutive days, the equivalent of 2 marathons a day.
If you would like to explore the island with me or have any questions about the trails featured here or are looking for more inspiration, please do not hesitate to reach out to me:
https://www.facebook.com/livehappyrungreece
https://www.facebook.com/helen.galerakis/
https://linktr.ee/livehappyrunfree
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