16.8
PDI
17.8 mi
DISTANCE
4,034 ft
GAINED
3.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Montreux, Switzerland.
INTRO
In the myth, Rhea hid the newborn Zeus in a cave above the Lasithi Plateau so his father Cronus couldn't swallow him, and handed Cronus a stone wrapped in swaddling instead. That cave, the Dikteon Andron above Psychro, is where this road ends - and it starts at sea level in Malia. In between are 28.6 km (17.8 mi) and 1230 m (4034 ft) of climbing, finishing at 970 m (3181 ft) in the cave car park.
Most of the work comes early. The road to Krasi leaves the resort and climbs for 10 km, mostly at 6 to 8.5%, to about 600 m, then dips into Krasi. From there the main road climbs again through Kera, where the steepest 2 km of the whole route average 8.5%, and tops out at the Ambelos pass at roughly 880 m. The row of old stone windmills on the saddle - 24 of them - is the largest cluster of stone windmills in Greece.
Over the top the whole plateau spreads out below - a flat, farmed basin at 800 to 850 m, ringed by mountains, once covered in thousands of white-sailed irrigation windmills. You lose a little height and spend about 9 km on the ring road, easy riding through the villages on the north and west side. The sting is saved for the end: the road from Psychro up to the cave climbs 1.5 km at 10 to 12.5%, with a half kilometer at 17.1%. Lock the bike at the car park and walk up to the cave entrance at about 1025 m.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. 28.6 km (17.8 mi) at 3.4%, with 1230 m (4034 ft) of climbing - a few short downhills add up to about 266 m (872 ft) - from 6 m (19 ft) in Malia to 970 m (3181 ft) at the cave car park.
The first kilometer out of Malia is almost flat. Kilometers 2 to 10 then climb steadily at 4 to 8.5%, with kilometers 6 and 7 the steepest of this stretch at 8.5% and 7.9%, to about 600 m (1969 ft). A short descent of about 50 m (164 ft) brings you into Krasi.
From Krasi the main road climbs 4.5% for 2 km, then steepens through Kera: kilometers 15 to 17 average 8.4%, 6.4% and 7.6%, and the steepest 2 km on the route average 8.5%. The Ambelos pass, at roughly 880 m (2887 ft), comes at km 18.
Across the plateau the profile is close to flat for about 9 km, between 820 and 845 m (2690 and 2772 ft). The final 1.5 km from Psychro to the cave is the steepest part of the climb: the hardest kilometer averages 12.5% and the hardest half kilometer 17.1%.
Roadway: Paved throughout, and riders describe the main road over the Ambelos pass as having a good surface. The ring road around the plateau is a two-lane asphalt road through the villages. The climb ends at the cave car park; the paths from there up to the cave are stone and dirt, for walking only.
Traffic: This is the main tourist route from the Malia and Hersonissos resorts to the plateau, so in season expect hire cars, excursion coaches, jeep safaris and quad bikes on the pass. Riders who have climbed it in summer call it busy. Start early and you'll have most of the climb to yourself before the day trips leave the coast.
Parking: Park in Malia away from the beachfront, or start higher up in Krasi if you'd rather skip the resort traffic. At the top, the large car park below the Dikteon Andron in Psychro is ringed by tavernas and has plenty of room.
Gear: Most of this climb is moderate, but the ramp to the cave hits 17% for half a kilometer, so bring a low gear - a compact with a 32-tooth cog or bigger. The plateau is noticeably cooler than the coast, so pack a gilet or arm warmers for the long descent back to Malia.
Provisions: Fill bottles in Malia and again in Krasi or Kera on the way up. The tavernas around the cave car park are the natural lunch stop. In July and August, start at first light - the coastal section is hot by mid-morning.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Malia is a busy beach resort. If you'd rather sleep near the climbing, the plateau has small hotels and guesthouses - Tzermiado is its main village, and Psychro sits right at the finish - and staying up top lets you spin the 23 km ring road on a rest day. It has no big hills, and it passes the restored windmills. Agios Georgios, on the loop, has a folk museum.
The cave charges admission and keeps shorter hours in winter than in summer. There are two paths up: the left-hand one is the easier walk, while the old path on the right is worn smooth and slippery. If you don't fancy the climb in cleats, donkeys carry visitors up.
Zeus has a second cave on Crete: our Idéón Antron page climbs Psiloritis to the cave where the myth says he was raised. Back on the coast, the Minoan palace of Malia is a short ride east of town.
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