Walks around Olive Tree Cottages

(a) Sougia to Lissos:	(b) Olive Tree Cottage to Anidri beaches:
(c) Olive Tree Cottage to Anidri beaches:	(d) Olive Tree Cottages to Sougia:
(e) Olive Tree Cottages to Koundoura Beach:	(f) Paleochora Castle: (Castel Selino)
(g) Around the Castle:

(c) Olive Tree Cottage to Anidri beaches::
Walk down the concrete track towards the beach, turning left to walk along the track above the beach. At the far end, after the very sandy part, the track becomes single file and begins to rise to the left. There is an E4 sign at the bottom. Unfortunately, the track extends to about 20 feet or so of the top and then skirts around the edge of this cliff. /this may prove to be difficult for people who have problems with heights. Once past this section the track continues to the top, giving a very good view of the three beaches at Anidri. Follow the markers across and down the hill to the beach which takes your fancy. These beaches, also known as Gialiskari, have much finer pebbles. The ones to the right can be sheltered on a windy day. The far beach, is very fine shingle. Take a suitable container and tool to collect sea salt from the rock pools at the far end. It takes about three quarters of an hour to reach the Anidri beaches from Olive Tree Cottages.

(d) Olive Tree Cottages to Sougia:
This is best done in the cool of an early morning. Follow the above instructions for Anidri beaches then just follow the waymarks. Follow the long sweep of the bay keeping the sea on your right. Eventually the track leaves the shore to climb over the peninsular and down to Lissos. Follow the track and waymarks up the zig-zag path to the top, over the plateau and down to the gorge to Sougia. This walk may take up to five and a half hours so allow plenty of time to catch the boat back.

(e) Olive Tree Cottages to Koundoura Beach:
Walk to Paleochora, turn right opposite the ferry to the sand beach. Go to the waters edge and turn right towards the mountain. With the sea on your left progress along the beach, pass the last taverna on the right, then over the rocky foreshore. Eventually notice a small beach where it looks as if concrete has been laid at the waters edge. This seems to be fine sandstone but the interesting thing about it is that many circular blocks (and some square ones) have been removed. There are some circles in the process of being cut. Any guesses as to what these were for – Circular stones for knife sharpening or just making circular troughs to collect salt? A little way further on and the rocks become much larger and eventually you must get on to the road. Notice the large sea caves to the right. Following the road will take you past many small but popular pebble beaches. Unfortunately the road can be very busy with vehicles speeding by. After reaching the Tropicana taverna you can swim off the beach opposite, eat a good long lunch and afterwards walk slowly back to Paleochora. To get the Tropicana taverna from Olive Tree Cottages should take about one and a half hours.

(f) Paleochora Castle: (Castel Selino)
Walk to Paleochora. Continue up High Street (Tin Polin Katharan), passing the very interesting church with a tall bell tower outside. Follow the steps up, passing a taverna on the left. Very soon you will be in the castle area. There is a WWII gun emplacement on the east of the plateau and also an electricity generating station. Little remains of the castle (1279) itself except some stretches of fairly well preserved walls. There are signs that a few archaeological digs seem to have taken place. The views of the town, the commercial harbour, and surrounding are excellent.

(g) Around the Castle:
This walk is easiest described from the sandy beach side. Face sandy beach then turn left and walk up the road with the beach to your right. Follow this all round the peninsular. You will pass the town football pitch and the commercial docks. A little diversion over the path of waste ground at the end may be interesting. Once past the farthest point the road passes through pretty, tightly packed cottages and back to the town centre.