Duration: Approximately 4 Hours

We start our journey west of Heraklion at Pankrition Stadium, heading south into the heart of Crete’s wine country. As we leave the urban landscape behind, we enter a picturesque rural area, surrounded by endless vineyards and ancient olive groves, a true reflection of the island’s agricultural heritage.

On one side of our route, we have a stunning view of Mount Yiouktas, a sacred landmark of Crete, while on the other, we see the island’s highest peak, Mount Ida (Psiloritis). The first village we pass through is Gournes, followed by the village of Athanati a few kilometers later, both offering a glimpse into Crete’s traditional rural life.

The road gradually becomes uphill as we make our way to the almost uninhabited village of Xirolia. From there, we head west, and after a few kilometers, we arrive at Dafnes, the wine capital of Crete. This village is famous for its annual wine festival, held every July, celebrating the region’s rich winemaking tradition.

This region is home to many wineries that produce some of Crete’s finest wines. Here, we enjoy a tasting of five different wines, perfectly paired with Cretan cheese, traditional rusks, and olives. After the tasting, we leave our bikes behind and return to the starting point by car, ending our experience on a relaxed and satisfying note.

The route is 24 km in total and anyone who knows how to ride a bike can participate. The net cycling time is about 1.5 hours and the altitude difference of the route is 390 metres.​

​Cost: €90.00 per person