Katholiko Monastery
Katholiko Monastery
4.5
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4.5
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Olligo25
Landshut, Germany404 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
You can park at the still intact monastery above and pay a small entrance fee. The monastery itself is only open for a short time, when we were there it was already closed. The path starts off pleasantly and then goes down after the cave (which is small but very nice). And then you go back the other way. When we were there it was very warm, and you start to sweat because there is no shade. The monastery below is nice to look at and take a break before heading back. The landscape is amazing, as everywhere on the island.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andromachi
Bucharest, Romania1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Friends
Generally worth an experience if you are a nature lover and you like hiking. Apparently the people who do it are prepared. Water, shoe etc. If you are just a swimsuit type we go to the beach (like me and my company😂) you get a little bit. However, it comes out slowly and steadily 😂. It also has red signs to tell you where you're going, also the universal ruins are worth a full experience, and historically of course. It's a really remarkable route. And the bay is like a swimming pool, with no excess. You get compensated and combine exercise. It's good to do it in the morning, because we did it in the extreme time, 4 pm, and it didn't come out. Good luck and good baths! ⁇ 😍
Automatically translated
Written 10 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Conram
Giv'atayim, Israel413 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
This is how I got to the Katholiko monastery. We started at the Gouvernetou Monastery (presently being renovated). We parked the car at the entrance and walked through the monastery without visiting it. If it is closed go around along the north wall. When you get to the other end you will see a gate existing the monastery walls, there's a small clearing with a memorial and beyond that there is a marked clear path.
A thoroughly enjoyable walk with lots of stairs. You first reach the Αrkoudospilios cave (Bear Cave) you will need a flashlight. After the cave we returned to the path and continued downwards, many more stairs. We eventually reach a complex that begins with the cave of St. John the Hermit (here you will need lights strapped to the forehead to visit inside, you will need both hands free one to hold the lead string and the other to help crawl through small openings), then a small church, followed by the remains of the Katholiko Monastery on a bridge across the Avlaki gorge.
At this point you can choose to return to the parked car or try to find the path descending to the Avlaki gorge and continue along the gorge down to a fjord. I didn't find it and anyway had started a bit late so we decided to return before it was hot. I recommend starting very early, since the path provides a view to the east try and get to Gouvernetou around sunrise and see it from the pathway, that way you are sure to return before it is hot even if you go down to the fjord. In summer it would probably be better to do it in the afternoon depending on the weather and the time the sun sets.
To find the Gouvernetou monastery on Google maps you will have to search for the full name "Moni Kirias ton Aggelon Agiou Ioannou Erimitou Gouvernetou, Chania, Hellas" cahanging to satellite view will allow you to see the pathway almost all the way to the Katholico complex but that's when it vanishes into the shade of the gorge.
The walk from Gouvernatou to Katholiko monasteries and back is about three hours easy walking, The distance is 1.5 km, 3 for there and back but some sections are very steep with many stairs you descend 200 meters along the 1.5 km there and ascend all that on the way back. If you continue to the fjord there's another 100 more meters to descend and climb back.
The path was beautiful with wonderful scenery and since it was still spring full of flowering plants and the smells of Cretan herbs, I thoroughly recommend it.
There is no good link to this hike that I could find. Here are some of the links
Arkoudospilios Cave:
http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Gouverneto-Monastery-Arkoudospilios.html
The Cave of St. John the Hermit:
http://www.cretanbeaches.com/Caves/Chania-Caves/cave-of-agios-ioannis-the-hermit/
Katholiko Monastery:
http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Katholiko-Monastery.html
Avlaki Gorge
http://www.cretanbeaches.com/Gorges/Chania-Gorges/avlaki-or-katholiko-gorge/
A thoroughly enjoyable walk with lots of stairs. You first reach the Αrkoudospilios cave (Bear Cave) you will need a flashlight. After the cave we returned to the path and continued downwards, many more stairs. We eventually reach a complex that begins with the cave of St. John the Hermit (here you will need lights strapped to the forehead to visit inside, you will need both hands free one to hold the lead string and the other to help crawl through small openings), then a small church, followed by the remains of the Katholiko Monastery on a bridge across the Avlaki gorge.
At this point you can choose to return to the parked car or try to find the path descending to the Avlaki gorge and continue along the gorge down to a fjord. I didn't find it and anyway had started a bit late so we decided to return before it was hot. I recommend starting very early, since the path provides a view to the east try and get to Gouvernetou around sunrise and see it from the pathway, that way you are sure to return before it is hot even if you go down to the fjord. In summer it would probably be better to do it in the afternoon depending on the weather and the time the sun sets.
To find the Gouvernetou monastery on Google maps you will have to search for the full name "Moni Kirias ton Aggelon Agiou Ioannou Erimitou Gouvernetou, Chania, Hellas" cahanging to satellite view will allow you to see the pathway almost all the way to the Katholico complex but that's when it vanishes into the shade of the gorge.
The walk from Gouvernatou to Katholiko monasteries and back is about three hours easy walking, The distance is 1.5 km, 3 for there and back but some sections are very steep with many stairs you descend 200 meters along the 1.5 km there and ascend all that on the way back. If you continue to the fjord there's another 100 more meters to descend and climb back.
The path was beautiful with wonderful scenery and since it was still spring full of flowering plants and the smells of Cretan herbs, I thoroughly recommend it.
There is no good link to this hike that I could find. Here are some of the links
Arkoudospilios Cave:
http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Gouverneto-Monastery-Arkoudospilios.html
The Cave of St. John the Hermit:
http://www.cretanbeaches.com/Caves/Chania-Caves/cave-of-agios-ioannis-the-hermit/
Katholiko Monastery:
http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Katholiko-Monastery.html
Avlaki Gorge
http://www.cretanbeaches.com/Gorges/Chania-Gorges/avlaki-or-katholiko-gorge/
Written 11 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gianluca P
Caerano di San Marco, Italy22 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
You can only reach this monastery walking through a simple and ruined path through rocks and beautiful views over the sea. It will take some time (about half an hour) to go down there but it is definitely worth it: at the end of the journey, you will find a still and quiet place in the middle of nowhere.
Throughout the walk, just let your mind go slowly and admire the beautiful scenery around you: wilderness, nature, the sea.
It's all so good.
Go there!
Throughout the walk, just let your mind go slowly and admire the beautiful scenery around you: wilderness, nature, the sea.
It's all so good.
Go there!
Written 29 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giulia P
75 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
This Monastery is the oldest on the Akrotiri peninsula and the hardest to reach.
It was built in the 11th century and its ruins are beautiful and impressive.
The hike is not easy, but the view of the mountains and the sea on the way down is stunning. We definitely recommend to wear trainers and bring lots of water.
The hike starts just a few meters from the Monastery of Gouvernetou (you need to open the door to the fenced area). First you will see a WW2 memorial and then the path descends. After 10/15 minutes you will arrive to the cave of St John the Hermit where you can rest and admire the huge bathing tank.
Hiking down another 10/15 minutes you will reach the ruins of Katholiko. They truly are magnificent and we felt at peace surrounded by nature and silence.
From there you can continue to the gorge and the sea.
The hike back up is extremely tiring, but we think it is definitely worth the effort.
It was built in the 11th century and its ruins are beautiful and impressive.
The hike is not easy, but the view of the mountains and the sea on the way down is stunning. We definitely recommend to wear trainers and bring lots of water.
The hike starts just a few meters from the Monastery of Gouvernetou (you need to open the door to the fenced area). First you will see a WW2 memorial and then the path descends. After 10/15 minutes you will arrive to the cave of St John the Hermit where you can rest and admire the huge bathing tank.
Hiking down another 10/15 minutes you will reach the ruins of Katholiko. They truly are magnificent and we felt at peace surrounded by nature and silence.
From there you can continue to the gorge and the sea.
The hike back up is extremely tiring, but we think it is definitely worth the effort.
Written 19 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruzhania
Vilnius, Lithuania112 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Visited the site in July 2014 - this is an amazing place combining natural beauty, architectural monuments and Christian history. The path goes from Gouverneto Monastery (which is under reconstruction at the moment, but you can see its yard when the monastery is open) and down the hill. Halfway you see the White Bear Cave (a small ruined chapel built next to a cave). You can ring the bell there. Continue down and you will finally reach the Katholiko Monastery - there is an ancient bridge, a chapel built in the hill, remains of some buildings and a path leading to the sea or to remains of some buildings on the other side of the gorge. You can also see some caves on the side of the mountain, which most probably were used by monks earlier, but they are really very hard to reach (unless you are a professional hiker or you have very good shoes :)) The atmosphere there is really fantastic. We did not take the path down to the lagoon, but went the opposite way, in an attempt (a failed attempt I must say) to reach some other buildings on the side of the hill, which you can see from the Gouverneto hill. Unfortunately, we started out pretty late and had some kids with us, so we only went halfway. The nature in the gorge is fantastic, goats walking along, cicadas singing. Take plenty of water with you.
Written 19 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
familyof6plusadog
Washington DC, DC459 contributions
Aug 2019
There is the "new" monastery close to the carpark. It is only open sometimes: closed Wednesday and Friday and only open 9-12 and after 5 (I think) on the other days. There is also the old monastery which is a 30 minute hike downhill (about 1 hour hike back uphill - so bring water). It's worth it, if you're into old churches, and the view of the water is beautiful.
Written 11 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Livelife88
Perth, Australia565 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Nice, relatively easy hike. Really cool to see the monastery at the end. Recommend to step into the cave on the way down, has a really eerie feeling and is completely silent inside.
Written 25 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles K
Haarlem, The Netherlands319 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
If at the monastery you need to pay 2.50 pp for entering but also for just hiking into the gorge.
Its steep going down, passing a cave and a well and until the ruins of Katholiko (monastery) its a 30 m downhill but an exhausting and steep 1 hour uphill. Not for the weak, elderly or the ones who dont bring water.
The monastery is not that interesting. Better visit the one 5 miles away
Its steep going down, passing a cave and a well and until the ruins of Katholiko (monastery) its a 30 m downhill but an exhausting and steep 1 hour uphill. Not for the weak, elderly or the ones who dont bring water.
The monastery is not that interesting. Better visit the one 5 miles away
Written 19 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennywren546
Dublin, Ireland10 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
This is a beautiful spiritual place and well worth a visit, BUT !.. some visitors are treating it like a regular attraction shouting and screaming and worse using the holy chapels as their personal lavatory.. please respect it. The path to the sea from Katholiko is closed There is a sign on the gate explaining the rules, dress code etc,follow them and get a sense of what the place actually means. .The monks preserve this ancient site with great care and hard work, they open it to the public out of generosity, I would hate to arrive again to the entrance to discover it was now closed to the public due to lack of respect.
Written 22 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there certain hours or days that the monastery is open?
Written 23 August 2018
Yes, the hours are 9-12 and 4-6 pm, it’s closed Wednesday and Friday.
Written 29 October 2019
To do this walk do you need to wear trousers or will knee length shorts be ok? The sign suggests shorts are not appropriate.
Written 11 August 2018
Do you have to keep walking past the cave of the bear? Or do you walk back up the stairs and go in the opposite direction? Because I've been to the cave of the bear and to try and continue on looks like you are walking off of a clif?
Written 17 February 2017
follow the steps down to the left when you reach what seems to be just a cliff edge, then past the cave entrance down some more steps to the monastery ruin itself and the bridge, which you can see from the cave and is only 50m at most i think. From here there is a rough path down into the bottom of the valley itself, but the monks ask people not to go down there and it doesn't look easy, so take a look around and go back up the steps the way you came down.
Written 18 February 2017
Do you have to keep walking past the cave of the bear? Or do you walk back up the stairs and go in the opposite direction? Because I've been to the cave of the bear and to try and continue on looks like you are walking off of a clif?
Written 17 February 2017
Hi, yes you continue walking past the bear cave, down the steps, they are quite steep but you don't go over the cliff! When you get to the bottom you will see the ruined monastery which spans the gorge, there is also a small chapel . If you wish to go to the sea the way down from the monastery is very vertiginous and slippery (not a proper path) but then you walk over stones etc to the water.
Written 21 February 2017
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