57 km | 1.780 vertical meters | Category 3

Exploring the Nida plateau: Have a fun and challenging ride while exploring the Nida plateau and the surrounding area.

Leaving the lively atmosphere of Anogia, going higher into the Crete Mountains, 1.000 meters up on the north face of Mount Psiloritis. After 15km of strenuous climbing turn left at the junction to the Skinakas Observatory at 1.750m.

Skinakas Observatory at 1.750m: It’s a small road, leading you through a mystical world of the barren karst slopes, through the fog towards the sun. Here we get a great view of the lunar landscape, the Nida Plateau and Psiloritis. Dive down again to the Nida plateau and follow the main road in direction to the Ideon Cave.

The abandoned ski resort: After three and a half kilometers follows a junction to an abandoned ski resort in a hairpin curve. The only one ski resort of Crete on 1.590m is really worth seeing. So if the conditions of the dirt road are fairly good, give it a try.

After two kilometers, a small ridge and a left hand curve, the impressive building of the ski center comes into sight. Have a look into the garage next to the main building and marvel at the old 160 hp Prinoth T3-200 snow cat. Isn’t that the ignition key to the right of the dashboard?

Anyway, the today’s workout must go on. So follow again the main road to the south and to the restaurant underneath the famous Ideon Cave. After a double Greek coffee, I felt the great desire to climb the Skinakas Mountain again. Go for the adventure!