Elia and Kato Vathia

For those who want to take a break from the coast, especially during the tourist season, there is some good walking to be done in the hills above our villages, and virtually all of it is on ordinary roads.

If you choose to do your trekking in high season, try and choose a day with some breeze, and, of course, whenever you do it, make sure you have water, sunscreen, a hat and proper footwear – trainers are ideal, but no flip-flops please!

The walk starts at the crossroads in the centre of Kokkini Hani, across from Hatzis, and all times and distances are measured from there.

The first part of the walk is on the old National road towards Iraklion. After about 10 minutes, you pass two large hotels overlooking the sea, Knossos and Arina Sand. You then come to a large beach, divided into different sections. At the far end of this beach, opposite the entrance to Freddocino beach, make a left and walk through the tunnel underneath the new highway. Carry on along the quiet road and, as you climb, you will almost certainly feel a welcome breeze.

Continue inland, admiring the wonderful scenery. If you're lucky, you will spot birds of prey high in the sky, and, most of the year, you can see snow on the distant mountains past Iraklion.

About 2.5km from the coast you will see a village on a hill in front of you. This is Elia. Pass by the football ground, then after 150m ignore a left turn and take the road leading straight up into the village. Ignore all left turns and follow the road as it goes towards the right of the village. Then, when you are at the top of the hill, almost in the middle of the village, take a left fork to keep on going uphill for a few metres. The road changes into block paving, and leads into the main village square. Here you will find an old church, and places for refreshment. You will also see the large new church. Walk towards that, keeping left of it, and carry on along the road which is on the edge of the village. At the crossroads after a warehouse, turn left and head downhill. After 150m, ignore the main road on your left and carry straight on 200m to a picturesque small cemetery on the left. The road now gets a lot smaller, as you are now in the heart of the countryside, passing olive groves and livestock sheds. Continue downhill, and ignore a fork to the right. The steep descent continues, and you pass another chapel and graveyard on the right before coming to a crossroads at the bottom of the hill. You are now 7.7 km from Kokkini Hani, and it will have taken you about two hours.

Ignore the small track which meets your road immediately before the crossroads, and take the larger road on the left. After about 170m, take a right turn up the hill by the church into the small village of Kato Vathia. Go up, following the road as it gradually turns towards the left, then you are out of the village. The road then curves towards the right and leads to a large crossroads.  Take the road to the left and follow it for 250m till it meets another road. Turn right here. By now, you will have seen Water City in the distance. Follow the road towards the coast, past the bottom of Water City. The road starts going downhill now, and the views on this part of the walk are quite spectacular. You are about 180m above sea level, and on a clear day you will see the coastline and Dia. Carry on down this road, admiring some of the large new villas. Eventually you will pass fields with sheep, hens and various crops. You reach the new highway in a few minutes – you have now walked 11.8km. Go through the tunnel, and carry on along the road towards the coast until you come to the old National road. To return to your starting point, turn right and in about five minutes you're back in front of Hatzis.

The entire walk is 12.6km, and, depending on how many rest stops, takes about three hours, at an average pace. Hopefully you will have enjoyed the walk, and will now want to do some more exploring.