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Greece

Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Ηρακλείου

View of Archanes – Zeus mural in Archanes loop from Archanes Municipal Unit

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Greece

Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Ηρακλείου

View of Archanes – Zeus mural in Archanes loop from Archanes Municipal Unit

Moderate

4.6

(82)

305

hikers

View of Archanes – Zeus mural in Archanes loop from Archanes Municipal Unit

03:10

9.12km

470m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Όρος Γιούχτα και φαραγγιού Αγίας Ειρήνης Δήμος Αρχανών

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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1.35 km

View of Archanes

Highlight • Viewpoint

Archanes lies at the foot of Mount Giouchtas. From up here you can see the entire town all the way to the sea.

Translated by Google •

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2.39 km

Chapel on Mount Juktas

Highlight • Religious Site

Open church on the summit.

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2.67 km

Afendis Christos Church on Mount Giouchtas

Highlight • Religious Site

The small church stands on the Afendis Cristos, the middle peak of Giouchta. To reach via a steep path from Archanes or by car on a dirt road. The tiny windows and the vault create a special atmosphere. In August every year a pilgrimage takes place. From here you have a wonderful view of Archanes, Hiraklion and the Mediterranean Sea.

Translated by Google •

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2.68 km

Juktas Summit

Highlight • Summit

The mountain is called Juchtas and the peak with the church Afendis Christos. On the Psili Korfi, the highest peak of the Juchtas mountain, you can find the remains of a Minoan mountain sanctuary.

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3.69 km

View of Archanes from Psili Korfi

Highlight • Viewpoint

Archanes is located about twelve kilometers south of Heraklion at the foot of Mount Giouchtas. With the Dikti Mountains in the background, it is a beautiful view.

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3.85 km

Minoan Peak Sanctuary on Mount Juktas

Highlight • Historical Site

On Psili Korfi, the highest peak of Mount Juchtas, you can find the remains of a Minoan mountain sanctuary. The area is surrounded by a fence and the gate is locked. Dissatisfied people have torn down parts of the fence so that people can enter the area. The really great view from here over half of Crete is only disturbed by the run-down broadcasting station that is right next to it. The sanctuary was one of the most important in the Minoan world and dates back to 1500 BC.

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6.06 km

Anemospilia Minoan Temple Ruins

Highlight • Historical Site

Anemospilia (Greek Aνεμόσπηλια, wind cave ') is the name of a Minoan temple on the northern slope of the mountain Giouchtas (Γιούχτας). It is located near Archanes in Crete.
The archaeologen couple Efi and Iannis Sakellarakis carried out excavations in this area since 1964 and discovered in 1979 the Minoan temple of Anemospilia. The archaeological site is located at an altitude of 440 meters. It is fenced today and not accessible to the public.
Around 1700 BC This temple had been destroyed by an earthquake. Of particular interest are four human skeletons found in the rubble - a man of about 17 years old was tied up on an altar, his carotid artery cut short before the catastrophe. The remaining three skeletons appeared to be priests and temple servants. The human sacrifice was presumably performed to appease the gods and avert the earthquake. This discovery was the first evidence of the existence of human sacrifices in the Minoan culture. Another confirmation was the finding of children's bones in Knossos.
Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemospilia

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8.94 km

Zeus mural in Archanes

Highlight • Monument

9.12 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.29 km

4.05 km

432 m

348 m

Surfaces

4.21 km

2.63 km

1.50 km

422 m

260 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (770 m)

Lowest point (360 m)

Weather

Wednesday 1 July

34°C

21°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

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View of Archanes – Zeus mural in Archanes loop from Archanes Municipal Unit

View of Archanes

Chapel on Mount Juktas

Afendis Christos Church on Mount Giouchtas

Juktas Summit

View of Archanes from Psili Korfi

Minoan Peak Sanctuary on Mount Juktas

Anemospilia Minoan Temple Ruins

Zeus mural in Archanes

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