Kastri – Ambelos – Potamos – Ambelos – Kastri: A Winter Circular Hike Through Forest, Clay and Red Sand on Gavdos Island
Gavdos in winter feels like a different world. Silence, clean air, wild landscapes, and a sense of remoteness make you feel as if you’ve reached the very edge of Europe — because you have. The circular route Kastri – Ambelos – Potamos – Ambelos – Kastri is a full‑day adventure that blends mountain, forest, canyon, and sea into an experience that stays with you long after you return.
Kastri – The Capital of Gavdos at 217 m Elevation
Kastri, perched at 217 meters, is the small capital of Gavdos and the perfect starting point for hiking. In winter, the village is peaceful: a handful of residents, the smell of wood‑burning stoves, and the wind carrying the sound of the Libyan Sea.
From here, the circular hike leads you through:
- forested landscapes
- tiny traditional settlements
- mountain ridgelines
- the red‑sand beach of Potamos
- a small clay‑filled canyon
It’s a route that showcases the island’s raw, untouched beauty.
The Route Step by Step
1. Kastri → Ambelos
The trail begins with a gentle descent through pine forest. Ambelos is a small, timeless settlement — stone houses, absolute quiet, and the feeling of old Crete preserved.
2. Ambelos → Potamos
From Ambelos, the path continues downhill toward the coastline. The view opens dramatically, revealing the Libyan Sea and the red sand of Potamos from above — one of those moments that makes you stop without thinking.
3. Potamos – Gavdos’ Iconic Red‑Sand Beach
Potamos is one of the most unique beaches in Greece. Its red sand, dunes, and deep silence create an almost otherworldly landscape. In winter, the beach is completely empty — only the sound of waves and the wind moving through the dunes.
The Small Canyon of Potamos – A Short Ascent Through Clay and Red Earth
From the beach, you can enter the narrow canyon and walk upward from the shore, following it inland until the walls narrow and the natural passage ends.
The canyon is small but full of character — and full of clay.
Highlights include:
- clay covering the walls, ground, and even your hands if you touch it
- red and orange earth layers glowing under winter light
- narrow rock walls forming a natural gateway
- low vegetation growing between the stones
- complete silence, broken only by the wind
The clay gives the canyon a sculpted, almost plastic texture — like walking through a natural artwork. In winter, with a bit of moisture, the colors become even more intense.
Return: Potamos → Ambelos → Kastri
After exploring the canyon, you return to the beach and follow the trail back toward Ambelos. The ascent is gentle, and the view toward Gavdos’ interior has a calm, wintery softness. From Ambelos, the path leads you back to Kastri, completing a beautiful circular loop.
Practical Information
Duration
- 4–6 hours of actual hiking
- Full‑day experience with breaks, photos, and exploration
Difficulty
- Moderate
- Well‑marked trail with some elevation changes
- The canyon is short and easy, with no technical challenges
Best Season
- Winter & Spring for solitude and wild landscapes
- Autumn for ideal temperatures
- Summer is hotter and more frequented
Personal Experience
This circular hike was one of the most fulfilling experiences on Gavdos.
- The forest trail had a grounding, meditative calm
- The ridgelines were windy but liberating
- The Potamos canyon was a surprise — narrow, clay‑filled, almost secret
- The red sand glowed under the winter sun
- Every stop felt like a photo that needed no filters
Returning to Kastri brought that sweet kind of tiredness only a full‑day adventure can give.
This isn’t just a hike — it’s something you feel.