The best road cycling routes in Δρυμός Λευκών Ορέων

Statue for the Cretan resistance fighters

Beautiful entrance to the Samaria Gorge

The road is beautifully laid out, has wonderful views, and is not very busy, but with gradients of up to 19%, it's not for everyone ;-)

Quäldich Pass Description: Southern Ascent from Kapsodasos 6.7 km | 643 m elevation gain | 9.6% (~10.4%) The southern ascent begins in the village of Kapsodasos at an altitude of approximately 100 m. The turnoff to Kallikratis is signposted (as of 2018 on a very weathered sign). The route initially heads north for a little over half a kilometer before a veritable hairpin bend festival unfolds over the next five kilometers. The road winds its way up a barren rocky slope via a total of 27 hairpin bends. There is virtually no vegetation along the route, which has its own charm and offers consistently wonderful views, especially of the hairpin bends already conquered and the Libyan Sea shimmering in the distance. The gradient is inconsistent over these first 5.5 kilometers, averaging just over 10%, but quite steep. In addition to battling the steep incline, the author also encountered a rather strong headwind on the ascent, which swept down the slope and added to the effort. After completing the switchbacks, the worst is over, and the route continues relatively flat for half a kilometer northwards before the remaining 700 meters to the highest point of the route, where the final meters of elevation gain must be conquered at a manageable gradient. Once at the top, the route descends for about a kilometer, followed by a gentle climb of almost three kilometers towards Kallikrátis. From there, however, more elevation gain awaits, as one must either tackle the easy western ascent to the Bourolos Pass or the 560-meter climb of the eastern ascent to the Asfendos Pass. Northern Ascent 1 km | 64 m elevation gain | 6.4% (~8.8%)

Quäldich Pass Description: The Kallikratis-Kapsodasos Pass lies not far from the south coast of Crete, between Kapsodasos and Kallikratis. As is often the case in Crete, there is unfortunately no pass sign and therefore no official name for the crossing. It is also not marked on local maps. The owner of Olympic Bike in Rethymnon informed the author that the crossing is known locally as the Kapsodasos Pass, or simply Kapsodasos Pass, based on the starting point of the southern ascent. Elsewhere, it is referred to as the Kallikratis Climb. We cannot and do not wish to commit to a definitive name. This is not a pass in the conventional sense, as the road does not connect two valleys, but rather leads from the south coast parallel to a gorge, climbing a slope into the island's interior. However, like a pass, it does cross a high point. Consequently, the southern ascent can involve a considerable amount of elevation gain, while the northern ascent involves only a slight difference in altitude. As of 2018, the entire route is in excellent condition and has a much better road surface than the surrounding roads. Only in the lower section of the southern approach were there occasionally some stones on the road, which only required extra caution on the descent. Furthermore, the road is mostly single-lane, hardly used, and therefore a real pleasure to drive.

Asfendos Pass Description: The Asfendos Pass lies slightly east of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) and connects the summit of the Imbros Pass in the west with the village of Kallikratis in the east over a distance of 14.8 kilometers. Those starting on the south coast of Crete and then climbing the Asfendos Pass via the Imbros Pass can cover a total of 1100 meters of elevation gain in one go. The ascent from the east, however, is initially undulating and only begins with a longer climb after the village of Asfendos (municipality of Arkalokefali?). Since this pass, like the Imbros Pass, has no official name, a name is required, and here it is, in reference to the aforementioned village – ta-da! – Asfendos Pass. As of 2018, the road is in quite good condition. Apart from a little vegetation along the eastern approach, the landscape is extremely barren, which has its own unique charm. From the pass summit, there is a beautiful view of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) massif. QD Editorial Note: From the pass, the road continues higher, a paved track leading to the 1220-meter summit of Akones.

The mouth of the gorge to the Libyan Sea is located a few kilometers west of Loutro at the so-called Marmara Beach.[1] From there, the gorge winds northwards towards the Lefka Ori (the "White Mountains") and reaches its narrowest point below the village of Aradena (Greek: Αράδαινα). The rock walls there rise almost vertically 138 meters high, with a gorge width of only about 8 meters at the bottom and about 25 meters at the top.

An impressive bridge and a suitable starting point for hiking through the Aradena Gorge to Marmara Beach. The descent through the old village of Aradena, west of the bar, provides access to the gorge. Trail markers on the gorge's rocks guide the way to Marmara Beach to the south. The wooden railing is partially rotten, so trusting the steel chains anchored in the rock and using your own leg muscles is advisable. Sturdy footwear is recommended; climbing equipment is not necessary. Falling rocks are possible. A taverna on the beach offers refreshments. Continuing from Marmara Beach lies Loutro, which can be reached via a pleasant rocky walk. A rocky ascent towards Anopolis completes the hike back to the Aradena Bridge.