SFAKIA VERTICAL RUN 2018

Date: Sunday, 21st of October, 2018

Time: 8:30 AM – 4 PM

Location: Chora Sfakion

Tickets:  arkalos.gr

Source: Event's facebook page 

Solo Traveling in Sfakia, Crete, Greece, tips & insights!

 

Frangokastello fortress: Traditional Dancing

If you are keen in meeting local people, taking in new surroundings and discovering original destinations, at your own pace, then Sfakia can be the perfect place to indulge yourself fully in an amazing experience.

Sfakian coastline from the path to Ag. Pavlos beach

Sfakia belongs to the prefecture of Chania, in southwestern Crete. Being the largest Greek island you would expect urban lifestyle invasion on all its municipalities; still Sfakia manages to preserve its authenticity. It has a few mountain villages, mostly clustered around the main road that connects the south with the north, however, the majority of the population can be found scattered across its coastline.

Frangokastello plain from the zig zag road to Kallikratis village

Though most of its villages can be accessed by car, there is still a handful of them than can only be approached by ferry boat or by following ancient footpaths, such as scenic Loutro. Car rental is necessary, as the area is not serviced by frequent bus routes. Some people take it one step further and choose to rent a 4x4 car, in order to have the option of visiting more isolated trails but in general the road network is kept in good condition.

Frangokastello fortress beach

If you like swimming in literally crystal clear waters then this is the place for you. Your choices are unlimited. Set up your umbrella in virtually any place you like, as most of the Sfakian coastline is accessible on foot. Choose the organized beach in front of Frangokastello fortress or the nearby Orthi Ammos beach, known for its vertical sand dunes. Alternatively, check Ilingas beach, a few minutes drive from Chora Sfakion. It has more than meets the eye. Swim to discover its two adjacent protected beaches. If you are interested in more secluded areas, then the whole shoreline from Sweet Water beach to Marmara beach and furthermore Agios Pavlos to Ag. Roumeli, is ideal as it can be approached only by boat or through hiking.

Aradena gorge: Marmara beach

 

Now hiking. Hiking is what I personally love to do solo, I choose to be alone as I relish the freedom that nature offers you, I cherish to take in the smells and the sounds at my own pace and to choose the trails I like to follow. Sfakia is surrounded by mountains which form an uneven terrain full of gorges. Samaria gorge is Crete's most famous attraction and a preserving ground for Cretan flora and fauna. Still, there are other less crowded gorges. Imbros is the second most popular gorge and easier to access. Asfendou and Kallikratis are neighboring gorges to each other and can be combined. Manikas gorge maintains a good spot for vulture spotting. Aradena gorge offers a stunning start, through the so-named abandoned village and it is also known for bungee jumping. And the list goes on, there are numerous trails to be followed as Crete is traversed by the European long distance path E4. Choose wisely, most of the routes are safe to inexperienced hikers, still some need caution, such as Kapnis gorge that requires climbing experience. 

Vulture over Manikas gorge

Another great chapter of the region is the Sfakian cuisine. In general, Cretan cuisine is known for its Mediterranean characteristics and rich diet in olive oil and natural grown products. As well, Sfakian cuisine has its own aroma that distinguishes it from Cretan. It embraces all of the Cretan attributes while introducing its own special dishes. Make sure to try Sfakian cheese pies for breakfast, or fried snails for appetizer. Sfakian graviera (cheese) is also a nice delicacy that can be consumed with honey any time of the day. Try the full-bodied red wine from the mountain village of Kallikratis and of course wash all this down with a few shots of tsikoudia (raki), a drink always offered for digestion in the tavernas these days.

Sfakian cheese pie!

 

Experience the Sfakian hospitality, not to mention the delicious food and wine, swim at isolated beaches, stroll in narrow village roads and admire the Sfakian architecture, wake up by the rooster crowning in the morning and enjoy hiking in nature. Sfakia awaits to be discovered!

Traditional hand stone grain grinder

For more information please ask at the reception.

SFAKIA VERTICAL RUN 2014

Natour lab, supported by the Municipality of Sfakia and the Management Body of Samaria National Park, organize the second vertical run race - Sfakia Vertical Run. The race will take place on the 5th of October 2014, and will cover the distance from Loutro to Anopoli Sfakion.

It is a dynamic race of strength and endurance since you get 690 metres of altitude in just 4.5km. The start of the race will be given inside the ferry boat to Loutro, with the lowering of the rear ramp, in queues. After that, the athletes will run parallel to the shoreline of Loutro and will continue running on the steep rocky trail towards the chapel of St. Catherine at 687m. There, the athletes will have to validate their presence by ringing the chapel bell and then head down towards the finishing line at the village square of Anopolis.

Tο Natour Lab υπό την αιγίδα του Δήμου Σφακίων και του Φορέα Διαχειρίσης Εθνικού Δρυμού Σαμαριάς διοργανώνει τον δεύτερο αγώνα κάθετης ανάβασης - Sfakia Vertical Run - από το Λουτρό στην Ανώπολη Σφακίων στις 5 Οκτωβρίου 2014. 

Πρόκειται για έναν αγώνα έκρηξης, δύναμης και αντοχής καθώς μέσα σε μόνο 4,5 χιλιόμετρα κερδίζει 690 μέτρα υψομετρικής.

Η συσκέντρωση των αθλητών θα γίνει την Κυριακή 5 Οκτωβρίου 2014 στο λιμάνι των Σφακίων. H παραλαβή των αριθμών και η συμπλήρωση των υπέυθυνων δηλώσεων θα πραγματοποιηθούν στη γραμματεία του αγώνα η οποία θα βρισκεται στο λιμάνι των Σφακίων απο τις 08:30 το πρωί.

Οι αθλητές θα επιβιβαστούν στο πλοίο για Λουτρό που θα αναχωρίσει στις 10:00. Η εκκίνηση του αγώνα θα δοθεί μέσα από το καράβι για Λουτρό, με το άνοιγμα του καταπέλτη του πλοίου, σε σειρές. Στη συνέχεια οι αθλητές θα διασχίσουν το παραλιακό μέτωπο του Λουτρού και θα ανηφορίσουν το βραχώδες μονοπάτι προς το εκκλησάκι της Αγίας Αικατερίνης σε υψόμετρο 687 μέτρα. Εκεί οι αθλητές, για είναι έγκυροι, θα πρέπει να χτυπήσουν την καμπάνα της εκκλησίας και έπειτα να συνεχίσουν κατηφορίζοντας προς τον τερματισμό που θα γίνει στην πλατεία της Ανώπολης.

Θα ακολουθήσουν οι απονόμες και παραδοσιακό κέρασμα στην πλατεία του χωριού. Οι αθλητες θα επιστρέψουν στο λιμάνι των Σφακίων με μεταφορικά μεσα της διοργάνωσης. Θα δοθούν σε ολους τους αθλητές αναμνηστικά μπλουζάκια.

Η διοργάνωση θα παρέχει 2 σταθμoύς τροφοδοσίας με νερό στη μέση της διαδρομής και λίγο πριν την καμπάνα.

Για την ομαλή διεξαγωγή του αγώνα το όριο των συμμετοχών ορίζεται στις 200.

Source - Πηγή: Natour Lab - Gastronomy & Hikes

Facebook page: Sfakia Vertical RUN

Discover Loutro!

Loutro is a coastal village in Southern Crete, in Sfakia, accessible only by boat.

A small chapel carved in rock under the shadow  of Loutro's ruined fortress.

View from the boat to Chora Sfakion.

AGIOS IOANNIS SFAKION - ARADAINA - LIVANIANA - LOUTRO / ΑΓΙΟΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ ΣΦΑΚΙΩΝ - ΑΡΑΔΑΙΝΑ - ΛΙΒΑΝΙΑΝΑ - ΛΟΥΤΡΟ

Date: Sunday 12 August 2012

Single day walking in the Sfakian province. Good signed paths and marvelous view from the place of Livaniana.

Leader: Eleftheria Loupasaki - Christina Fotinaki
Difficulty level: 3
Departure point: the Club's headquarters at 90, Tzanakaki Street, 73134 Chania
Tel: +30 2821044647, FAX: +30 2821054903
email: eoshania@otenet.gr
Departure time: To be announced

Application Form

Ημερμηνία: Κυριακή 12 Αυγούστου 2012

Μονοήμερη πεζοπορική δράση για να περπατήσουμε στις παλιές στράτες και να δούμε τους πετρόχτιστους παλαιούς οικισμούς της επαρχίας Σφακίων.

Αρχηγός διαδρομής: Ελευθερία Λουπασάκη - Χριστίνα Φωτεινάκη
Δυσκολία: 3
Αναχώρηση από: Γραφεία Συλλόγου - Τζανακάκη 90, 73134 Χανιά,
Τηλ. +30 2821044647, FAX: +30 2821054903
email: eoshania@otenet.gr
Ώρα αναχώρησης:  00:00:00

 

Δήλωση συμμετοχής


Greek Source - Ελληνική Πηγή: http://www.eoshanion.gr

AGIOS IOANNIS - SELOUDA - LOUTRO - CHORA SFAKION / ΑΓΙΟΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ - ΣΕΛΟΥΔΑ - ΛΟΥΤΡΟ - ΧΩΡΑ ΣΦΑΚΙΩΝ

Date: Sunday, 19th of February, 2012
Single day hiking trip to the province of Sfakia, overlooking the Libyan Sea. Furthermore, we will walk part of the coastal E4 path and finish in Hora Sfakion.

Leader: Stavros Badogianis
Difficulty level: 2
Departure point: the Club's headquarters at 90, Tzanakaki Street, 73134 Chania
Tel: +30 2821044647, FAX: +30 2821054903
email: eoshania@otenet.gr
Departure time: 07:30:00

Application Form


Ημερμηνία: Κυριακή 19 Φεβρουαρίου 2012

Μονοήμερη πεζοπορική εξόρμηση για να περιηγηθούμε στα όμορφα και άγρια νότια παράλια της επαρχίας Σφακίων, θα περάσουμε από το ομορφότερο φυσικό μπαλκόνι με θέα το Λιβυκό πέλαγος και στη συνέχεια θα περπατήσουμε σε τμήμα του παραλιακού μονοπατιού Ε4 μέχρι τη Χώρα Σφακίων.

Αρχηγός διαδρομής: Σταύρος Μπαδογιάννης
Δυσκολία: 2
Αναχώρηση από: Γραφεία Συλλόγου - Τζανακάκη 90, 73134 Χανιά,
Τηλ. +30 2821044647, FAX: +30 2821054903
email: eoshania@otenet.gr
Ώρα αναχώρησης: 07:30:00

Δήλωση συμμετοχής


Greek Source - Ελληνική Πηγή: http://www.eoshanion.gr