The village of Vamos (Βάμος) is just 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) from Gavalochori. You can walk there on a little-used, paved road where you will have some great views of Gavalochori. The road climbs steeply and contains a number of switchbacks, so despite the paved road, you will get some good exercise.
The Chania Trails Project has marked a number of trail shortcuts along the way that veer off the paved road for brief periods of time. If you want to explore these, look for the small posts with signs that direct you to these short and sometimes rough trails that provide shortcuts to switchbacks.
Start your walk in the main square in Gavalochori, and take the road east out of the square. It is identified by a sign that reads “Vamos.” This road circles to the right around the south side of the village.
At the site of an old well on a stone platform, turn left and follow that road. The road twists and turns, and you will pass a large, three-story, abandoned and partially constructed building that often has a Greek flag flying in front.
When you are presented with the option of going straight ahead or turning to the right, turn to the right at both this intersection and the next one. Keep following the road up the hill.
Part way up the hill, you will see the church of Saint Phanourios. Although the church is usually locked, you can see much of the inside through the windows. The wooden benches outside the church also provide a meditative spot for a brief rest from which you can take in the lovely view toward Souda Bay.
Saint Phanourios is a special saint for Cretans because he is said to have saved many Cretans from death when they resisted Turkish rule during the 17th through 19th centuries. Little is known about this saint beyond the fact that he lived sometime during the 2nd and 4th centuries AD and apparently endured many kinds of tortures because of his Christian faith. Saint Phanourios’s name sounds similar to the Greek verb fanerono (Φανερώνω), which means “to reveal” or “to disclose,” so people pray to Saint Phanourios to help them find lost objects, to reveal lost or hidden spiritual matters, to find new meaning in life, to reveal actions that should be taken, and to restore lost health.
After your stop at the church, continue on up the hill, and you will have panoramic overviews of Gavalochori and Souda Bay on your right.
From the top of the hill, continue on the main road to the Church of Saint Mamas. This church used to belong to Gavalochori but no longer does. The land on which the church sits was purchased in 1830 by three families, who built two small houses there. When a disease struck and killed many of their animals, they asked Saint Mamas, the protector of animals, to save them. The animals stopped dying, and the families built a church on their land in thanksgiving. The church you see here was built in 1870 on the site of the earlier church and has been renovated several times since.
From the church, continue along the main road until you reach a large stone wall on your left. The wall is adjacent to a sign that you cannot see coming from your direction. It is for the Health Center of Vamos, which is located on the road that runs to your left.
Go past the entrance to the Health Center, and follow the main road through the “S” curve.
At the stop sign, turn right and follow the main road to the next stop sign. Straight ahead a short distance, you will find the Vamos Tourist Office, where you can get information about the area and arrange for excursions and classes of various kinds.
About three blocks to your left at the second stop sign, you will find an area with tavernas. Now might be a good time for a cool drink and a rest before you retrace your steps back to Gavalochori.
The village of Vamos (Βάμος) is just 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) from Gavalochori. You can walk there on a little-used, paved road where you will have some great views of Gavalochori. The road climbs steeply and contains a number of switchbacks, so despite the paved road, you will get some good exercise.
The Chania Trails Project has marked a number of trail shortcuts along the way that veer off the paved road for brief periods of time. If you want to explore these, look for the small posts with signs that direct you to these short and sometimes rough trails that provide shortcuts to switchbacks.
Start your walk in the main square in Gavalochori, and take the road east out of the square. It is identified by a sign that reads “Vamos.” This road circles to the right around the south side of the village.
At the site of an old well on a stone platform, turn left and follow that road. The road twists and turns, and you will pass a large, three-story, abandoned and partially constructed building that often has a Greek flag flying in front.
When you are presented with the option of going straight ahead or turning to the right, turn to the right at both this intersection and the next one. Keep following the road up the hill.
Part way up the hill, you will see the church of Saint Phanourios. Although the church is usually locked, you can see much of the inside through the windows. The wooden benches outside the church also provide a meditative spot for a brief rest from which you can take in the lovely view toward Souda Bay.
Saint Phanourios is a special saint for Cretans because he is said to have saved many Cretans from death when they resisted Turkish rule during the 17th through 19th centuries. Little is known about this saint beyond the fact that he lived sometime during the 2nd and 4th centuries AD and apparently endured many kinds of tortures because of his Christian faith. Saint Phanourios’s name sounds similar to the Greek verb fanerono (Φανερώνω), which means “to reveal” or “to disclose,” so people pray to Saint Phanourios to help them find lost objects, to reveal lost or hidden spiritual matters, to find new meaning in life, to reveal actions that should be taken, and to restore lost health.
After your stop at the church, continue on up the hill, and you will have panoramic overviews of Gavalochori and Souda Bay on your right.
From the top of the hill, continue on the main road to the Church of Saint Mamas. This church used to belong to Gavalochori but no longer does. The land on which the church sits was purchased in 1830 by three families, who built two small houses there. When a disease struck and killed many of their animals, they asked Saint Mamas, the protector of animals, to save them. The animals stopped dying, and the families built a church on their land in thanksgiving. The church you see here was built in 1870 on the site of the earlier church and has been renovated several times since.
From the church, continue along the main road until you reach a large stone wall on your left. The wall is adjacent to a sign that you cannot see coming from your direction. It is for the Health Center of Vamos, which is located on the road that runs to your left.
Go past the entrance to the Health Center, and follow the main road through the “S” curve.
At the stop sign, turn right and follow the main road to the next stop sign. Straight ahead a short distance, you will find the Vamos Tourist Office, where you can get information about the area and arrange for excursions and classes of various kinds.
About three blocks to your left at the second stop sign, you will find an area with tavernas. Now might be a good time for a cool drink and a rest before you retrace your steps back to Gavalochori.
