Anopolis
Anopolis
Anopolis is a small village
(consisting of 8 hamlets and totalling about 300 inhabitants) spread on
a fertile plateau at the foot of the White Mountains. It lives mainly
from agriculture and animal farming. Anopolis was very significant under
the Turkish occupation, with a much larger population, because it had
managed to remain free of the invader, preserving Cretan traditions and
way of life. Today, Anopolis and the region still remain one of the most
traditional part of Crete.
About 2 km west of Anopolis, the abandoned village of Aradena offers beautiful
examples of ancient Cretan architecture.
Click to enlarge
Getting there
The only road leading to Anopolis is the 12 km serpentines road from Hora Sfakion. There is only one bus a day (around 4.00pm, returning from Anopolis at around 6.30am) but it is possible to get a taxi from Hora Sfakion for about 12 Euro.
Walks
To and
from Loutro
From the village square a dirt road leads to the beginning of the path
to Loutro and the coast. Just above the path, the chapel of Agia Ekaterini
(St. Katherine) offers superb all round views. The stony path leads
down 650m in serpentines to Loutro. Avoid walking this path up in the
midday heat as there is hardly any shade. This walk takes about 90 minutes
(going down, more going up)
To and
from Agia Roumeli
Walk from Anopolis to Agios Ioannis and take the path by the church
of Agios Ioannis to Sellouda. From there, a good mule path takes you
down through a pine forest to Agios Pavlos, then on to Agia Roumeli.
This walks takes about 4-5 hours.
To and
from Hora Sfakion
There is a mule path linking Anopolis and Hora Sfakion in about 2 hours.
There is almost no shade.
To Aradena
and Agios Ioannis
You can reach the village of Aradena by following the road (45 min).
Another hour along the road takes you to the hamlet of Agios Ioannis.
Aradena, perched high above the gorge of the same name is probably the
best example of Cretan architecture and it is worth spending time exploring
the ruins of the village.
The gorge
of Aradena
A good mule track leads down from Aradena into the gorge. From there
it will take you about 3 hours to reach the sea at the small beach of
Marmara. More details under The
Gorge of Aradena.
To Pachnes,
Katsivelli and Omalos
Anopolis is also the southern starting point if you want to reach the
summit of Pachnes (2453m) or cross the White Mountains via Katsivelli
to Omalos. If you want to shorten the long approach route it may be
possible to arrange for a shepherd to drive you up the 22 km dirt road
which reaches into the White Mountains.
Recommended book on walks: you will find detailed descriptions of walks in the area in Loraine Wilson's book "Crete, The White Mountains" Cicerone Press, ISBN 1-85284-298-9