A walk along ancient paths, leading somewhere unexpected. From the sea of Stavros into the quiet hills, this circular route follows old monastic trails through olive groves and a wild gorge. And then, almost without warning, the ancient ruins of Katholiko Monastery appear hidden deep between rock and sky. A place you would never expect to find. And once there, impossible to forget. The walk begins at Stavros beach. Leaving the sea behind, we move gently through olive groves a centuries-old landscape that still shapes the rhythm of this region. Gradually, the path leads us deeper into the hills, following ancient monks’ trails. Along the way, we pass caves once used by hermits — quiet places of retreat carved into the rock. Deep below, we reach Katholiko Monastery, one of the oldest on Crete, founded in the 11th century. Today it stands abandoned — a place of silence, where arches and stone walls still tell their storey. Near the monastery, there is time for a swim in a secluded bay. From here, we continue through the untouched landscape, following the gorge back to Stavros — where the walk ends by the sea, with time to relax and unwind.