We had another fantastic adventure on our hike up Mt Oxia to see the ruins of ancient Olous high above Elounda, Crete. Our September 2023 trip to Greece was filled with lots of fun adventures and this was one of them. Although my favorite adventure was snorkeling the Sunken City of Olous, this hike to ancient Olous is a close all time second favorite hike in Crete.
We had tried to find this trailhead in 2021 but couldn’t seem to locate it. We could see it on Google Maps but couldn’t find the road to get there and no one we spoke to in Crete seemed to know what we were talking about when we asked where the hike to Ancient Olous was. This year, we asked at our hotel at breakfast and one of the staff knew someone who hiked and found out the information we needed. From what we could figure, at least in the Elounda area, they called this the ruins on Mt. Oxia instead of Ancient Naxo as marked on Google Maps, although from more research it appears to be called Ancient Olous. It was fairly easy and straightforward to get to, we were told, which was true, although we unfortunately complicated it.
Location
Starting Off
Our plan was to drive to the trailhead but unfortunately the road became more rough so we parked along the side of the road in a safe spot where other cars were parked. We weren’t sure if the road would get worse as we climbed up so we continued on foot. That being said, we probably could have slowly driven it but it was a nice day for a hike. The views were wonderful and the countryside smelled of herbs and occasionally of goats! Although up hill the dirt and rocky road was easy enough to walk on.
Google Maps Hates Us
A little over an hour later, the road became quite wide with Mt Oxia to the left. We thought this might be close but according to Google maps we were to continue straight to where the road became apparent again. The rocky road didn’t last much longer and became more of a path which we continued to follow. It also appeared we were walking further away from Mt Oxia. Google directed us to the left, where we found a faint path that we followed. It took us to a circular rock formation and then instructed us to continue straight. Well we tried but it was overgrown with brambles, rocks, downed trees with no clear pass and was just a mess.
We decided to turn around but then couldn’t even see a path although we had followed one. I got stung by a sweat bee which added to my frustrations. Then Steve caught his foot on something and fell, which made me scream and him shake his head and laugh. When we reached the road both of our legs were all scratched up and bloody and I was literally a hot mess. Definitely not what we planned. Once again proving my theory that Google Maps hates us.
The Trailhead
After the disaster of following Google we decided instead to use our own common sense, although not sure after our disastrous turn that we had any. Having hiked in Crete quite a bit with no Google, we followed our wits, knowing Ancient Olous was on the top of Mt Oxia so we must have passed the trailhead.
Sure enough, walking back to the area where the road widened, we saw as plain as day the trail marker! How we both missed it is baffling! That’s what we get for sticking our noses in our Google Map!
The Trail
The trail up Mt Oxia was easy to follow. It was mainly dirt and loose rock that became more loose rock as we reached the top. The views were so amazing.
Ancient Olous
Ancient Olous was amazing. Like being on the top of the world. Although a bit blustery, nonetheless, Steve was able to get a good video and lots of photos. Definitely worth seeing after all the effort over a few years time to actually reach the top.
The Hike Back
The hike back was unremarkable and since it was downhill it went quickly. All in all, the entire adventure took us about four hours including our Google Maps misdirection. We drove back to our hotel, Elounda Peninsula, and spent the rest of the day swimming and enjoying the resort.
Conclusion
Hiking in Crete is always an adventure and conversely the hike up Mt Oxia to Ancient Olous is one of the best! We are planning on returning to Crete and Elounda in 2025 and might just do this hike again!
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2023 Trip
Sunken City of Olous-September 2023
Elounda Peninsula Hotel-Revised 2023
Hike to Agiofarago Beach-Sept 2023
Preveli Beach, the Easy Way-Sept 2023
Swim at Kourtaliotiko Falls-Sept 2023
Boating on the South Central Sea in Crete-Sept 2023
A Challenging hike Loutro to Marmara Beach, Crete-Sept 2023
Anopolis, Arradena Bridge and Lykos Beach in Southen Crete-Sept 2023
Aptera Crete, Closed on Tuesdays Sept 2023
Return to Chania, Crete September 2023
2022 Trip
Our Favorite Restaurants, Plaka and Athens 2022
Santorini by Dune Buggy Part 3 2022
Off the Beaten Path Tour Santorini, Sept 2022
Delfino Blu Hotel, Corfu, Sept 2022
Shopping in Old Town Corfu, Sept 2022
Exploring Old Town Corfu, Sept 2022
To the Top of Angelokastro, Sept 2022
NW Coast of Corfu by boat, Sept 2022
Exploring the Beaches of NW Corfu, Sept 2022
Hike to Giali Beach, Corfu Sept 2022
E-Bike Tour of Meteora, Greece Sept 2022
Hike to Ypapanti Monastery, Greece Sept 2022
Ancient Delphi, Greece Sept 2022
Crete 2021
Ancient City of Lato, Sept 2021
Aforesmenos Lighthouse, Crete, Sept 2021
Avli Lounge Hotel, Rethymno, Sept 2021
Matala Beach Caves, Crete, Sept 2021
Hike to Martsalos Beach, Sept 2021
The Chapel at Georgioupoli, Sept 2021
Koutalas Beach and Sea Cave, Sept 2021
A Walk Through Chania, Sept 2021
Crete 2019
Elounda Peninsula Hotel, Sept 2019
Knossos Palace, Crete Sept 2019
Seitan Limania Beach, Sept 2019
Katholiko Monastery, Sept 2019
Itineraries and more
14 Great Short hikes in Crete, Greece