The Hub was founded in 2014, as a partnership between friends with a common passion for mountain biking and great admiration for the island of Crete. The combination of cycling, nature and culture in the pristine depths of Crete’s magnificent landscape has been a highly successful recipe for people seeking to discover Crete in a state of awe. The Hub aims to offer an alternative to mass tourism and introduce its participants to the unknown side of the island. Our tours are based on desired locations and the level of MTB cycling experience required to favorably complete each tour. Additionally, we are in the position to organize tailor made MTB-holidays, which include a number of tours, accommodation, transfers and meals.  We will be offering hiking and birdwatching tours. Giving you new ways to see this place we call home.

Itinerary

This is our advanced cross-country tour. The starting point of this tour is the mountain village of Mochos. In order to arrive there we will use vehicle support. The cycling begins at the entrance of the village of Mochos. We initially warm up riding on dirt roads and eventually reach the new artificial dam of Aposelemis. We have the chance to visit the historic village of Sfedili, a village that is bound to disappear in time due to the rising waters of dam. Despite being artificial, the still waters of the dam have already started to form a new aquatic habitat. We ride on through the village of Avdou and start ascending the gorge of Ambelos reaching the village of Kera. At this point we have confronted all major ascents and roll down to the village of Krasi with its perennial platanous tree and fresh water springs from the Diktian mountain range. Finally, we enjoy a panoramic view of the North coast and let gravity take us down to the ending point, Malia.

 Included in the price

 A guide
 Hardtail Cube Bike
 Vehicle transfers
 Backpack
 Helmet
 Snacks & Coffee

 Highlights

 Aposelemis Dam
 Sfendili Village
 Kera Monastery
 Karfi (Minoan observatory)
 Ampelos Gorge
 Krasi Village

 Tour details

Days:Monday

Price 65 € / Person

Duration 4-5 Hours

Tour Type Intermediate / Cross Country (Level 2)

Terrain Asphalt, Dirt, Rocky roads

Altitude gains 700 m

Region Heraklion - Malia - Mohos - Stalis

Starting Point Mochos

Ending Point Malia - Malia Park Hotel

Vehicle Support Yes

Itinerary

This tour is an easy ride, suitable for anyone enjoying outdoor activities and some pedaling. The tour involves predominantly cycling on flat grounds and descents, both off-road and on low traffic roads. A long distance through the biggest mountains of Lasithi reaching until the North coast is covered, giving you the chance to experience plenty of Crete through the freedom of riding a bike. We start the tour at the entrance of the Lasithi plateau and ride on flat grounds crossing the biggest plateau of Crete. Lasithi Plateau lays below Spathi (Sword), the highest peak of the Lasithi region (2148m) and is the third highest mountain of Crete. We ride mainly on small dirt and asphalt roads going through several villages and fertile agricultural fields. The plateau is also known as the garden of Crete due to the amount of goods being cultivated here and is also rich in wild flora, walnut, pear, apple and chestnut trees. Once we reach the village of Psychro at the South side of the plateau, those who wish can visit the Plateau's most famous attraction, the cave of the mythical god Zeus. At the village of Kaminaki and have our mid-tour coffee break, getting a glimpse of Cretan rural life. We continue the tour towards the North coast of the island. A long descent (20km) will take us past the monastery of Kera and then the village of Krasi, with its historic perennial platanous tree and fresh water springs from the Diktian mountain range. From Krasi, we enjoy a last panoramic view of the busy Northern coastline and let gravity take us down to our destination, the ancient Minoan palace of Malia. The palace of Malia was the third largest palace in Crete during the Minoan Era and lays aside to Potamos beach, one of the top rated beaches of the North coast.

 Included in the price

 A guide
 Hard-tail Cube bike (Acid, LTD, Analog)
 Vehicle transfers
 Back-pack
 Helmet
 Snacks (energy bar or sandwich), Coffee, Water

 Highlights

 Lasithi Plateau
 Cave of Zeus (optional)
 Kera Monastery
 Krasi village
 Malia Palace
 Potamos beach

 Other Remarks

 Suitable for children (12+) 
 Group sizes: Minimum 2 persons / Maximum 10 persons
 Entrance fees to the Cave of Zeus and Malia Palace are not included in the price
 Upon request and arrangement the route can be modified and made more demanding reaching more altitude gains (500m - 1000m) and offroad sections
 It is possible to upgrade to a full-suspension bike for  an additional 15 €

 Tour details

Days
Monday, Friday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Tuesday
Price
60 € / Person
Duration
5 Hours
Tour Type
Easy / (Level 1)
Terrain
Dirt, Asphalt
Altitude gains
300 m
Region
Lasithi Plateau
Starting Point
Lasithi plateau
Ending Point
Malia park hotel
Vehicle Support
Yes

 Itinerary

The tour starts off at the entrance of the Lasithi Plateau. The cycling begins smoothly giving us the chance to enjoy the plateau as we ride across it on flat asphalt and dirt roads. We continue cycling and ascend approximately 250m higher to reach Limnakaro. Limnakaro is a smaller plateau rich in wild flowers, walnut, pear, apple and chestnut trees. It lays below Spathi (Sword) the highest peak of the Lasithi region (2148m). Limnakaro also belongs to the European Walking Route E4, representing the Southern boundaries of this 10.000 km path. We enjoy our snack break within this scenery before riding down effortlessly to Kaminaki a village found on the West Side of the Lasithi Plataeu. The tour will continue and go west and reach the Minoan path to Kastamonitsa, 14 kil down hill to the village of Avdou which gives us our adrenaline rush. In Avdou we have a coffee stop and then a 20 min uphill ride that takes us to Mochos village for the last down hill ride to Malia with panoramic views of the north coast.

 Included in the price

 A guide
 Hardtail Cube Bike
 Vehicle transfers
 Back-pack
 Helmet
 Snacks & Coffee 

 Tour details

Days
Price
70 € / Person
Duration
4 Hours
Tour Type
Intermediate / Cross Country (Level 2)
Terrain
Dirt, Asphalt
Altitude gains
600
Region
Heraklion - Malia - Mohos - Stalis
Starting Point
Lasithi Plateau
Ending Point
malia
Vehicle Support
Yes

Itinerary

The tour starts from our base at Malia Park Hotel and we ride along the coast and up into Malia old village,we then contine through the valley with olive grove and banana plantations for a wille  before we get the first small climb to reach Sissi village that will  take us to a beautiful beach called Boufos and from there we go into Sissi port for refreshments and the possibility of having a swim. We then ride the coast line passing the Malia palace ruins and Potamos beach and back to Malia. 

 Included in the price

 Hardtail Cube bike
 Helmet
 Cycling maps and information   
  Water
 ASAP road assistance if needed

 Highlights

 Banana Plantation 
 First Malia church (Loutres)
 Malia Palace
 Potamos Beach
 Old Village and Port of Sissi
 Boufos Beach

 Other Remarks

 Suitable for children (12+)
 The Palace of Malia

Tour details

Days
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Price
45 € / Person
Duration
2-4 Hours
Tour Type
Flat / Very Easy
Terrain
Asphalt, Dirt
Altitude gains
180m
Region
Lasithi Plateau
Starting Point
Malia
Ending Point
Malia park hotel
Vehicle Support
Yes

Itinerary

The tour starts from our base, located in Malia Park hotel. We go east, through olive groves and banana plantations. The tour continues with a series of short climbs and descents, leading to the (Byzantine) monastery of St. George, near the village Vrachasi. At this point we enjoy a short break. To continue the tour we ride a more technical track that lead us up the mountain of Kavalara near Neapoli. We ride through forests, pass several monasteries and make our way down for a break in the town of Neapoli. Afterwards, we ride through the village of Latsida by taking a path from an abandoned quarry descending to the port of Sissi and conitinuing on to our final destination which is the ancient Minoan palace of Malia. 

 Included in the price

 A guide
 Hard-tail Cube bike (Acid, LTD, Analog)
 Vehicle transfers
 Back-pack
 Helmet
 Snacks (energy bar or sandwich), Coffee, Water

 Highlights

 Vulture habitat / Selinari Gorge
 Agios Georgios Monastery 
 Malia Palace
 Pot

Tour details

Days
Price
65 € / Person
Duration
4 Hours
Tour Type
Intermediate / Cross Country (Level 2)
Terrain
Dirt, Rocky
Altitude gains
1000 m
Region
Lasithi Plateau
Starting Point
Malia
Ending Point
Potamos-Malia Park hotel
Vehicle Support
Yes

Itinerary

This is an intermediate cross country tour. The starting point of this tour is at the Lasithi plateau which we will reach using a vehicle. We ride shortly on the Lasithi plateau to warm up and then start ascending to the plateau of Katharo. Katharo is a very isolated and untoucked plateau where recently paleontological discoveries of a dwarf hippopotamus and elephant fossils were made. We cycle through the plateau surrounded by maple, oak and chestnut trees and numerous springs of pure mountain water used to irrigate the plateau reaching its south side. Here we enter the Selekano forest one of the biggest forest areas of Crete and start enjoying the views of the South Libyan coast. We start descending crossing the through traditional village of Christos and Riza and have the chance of a quick visit to the Sarakina gorge, a gorge with continuous running water all year round. Finally, we continue to the coastal village of Myrtos which by some is considered the new Matala.

 Included in the price

 A guide
 Hardtail Cube Bike
 Vehicle transfers
 Back-pack
 Helmet
 Snacks & Coffee

 Highlights

 Lasithi Plateau
 Chaugas gorge
 Katharo plateau 
 Selakano forest 
 Sarakina Gorge
 Myrtos Village 

Tour details

Days
Price
100 € / Person
Duration
5 Hours
Tour Type
Intermediate / Cross Country (Level 2)
Terrain
Dirt, Gravel
Altitude gains
500m
Region
Lasithi Plateau
Starting Point
Lasithi Plateau
Ending Point
Myrtos
Vehicle Support
Yes

Itinerary

We begin this tour at the village of Kalo Chorio located on the North East coast of the island. From Malia the trip takes a bit over 30 minutes. We start pedaling at sea level and ride up through the forest of Istron reaching the district of the ancient Minoan town of Oleros. We have a short coffee break at the tiny village of Meseleri (360m) and continue our ascent. With fantastic views of the South Libyan coast we press on up a section of the renowned E4 walking route which leads us to the hidden monastery of Vriomeni, a monastery literally built within the mountain. A short but steep climb to the final peak (700 m), before we enjoy the long effortless way back down to Istro bay. The white sandy beaches of Istro will provide an ideal recovery swim after the tour.

 Included in the price

 A guide
 Hardtail Cube Bike
 Vehicle transfers
 Back-pack
 Helmet
 Snacks & Coffee

 Highlights

 Istro forest
 Meseleri
 E4 Route
 Vriomeni Monastery 
 Istro Bay

Tour details

Days
Price
90 € / Person
Duration
4 Hours
Tour Type
Intermediate / Cross Country (Level 2)
Terrain
Dirt, Rocky
Altitude gains
1000 m
Region
Lasithi Plateau
Starting Point
Kalo Chorio
Ending Point
Istro Bay
Vehicle Support
Yes

Itinerary

This tour begins at the Lasithi Plateau (850m). To warm up, we ride  easy across the plateau heading East and reach the village of Mesa Lasithi to meet our first ascend. From here we start moving away from civilization and ascend to the plateau of Katharo (1200m). We ride up past the gorge of Chaugas getting perfect views from below. On the plateau of Katharo we cycle on smooth dirt roads getting a taste of Cretan nature at these altitudes. Wild maple, oak, pear, apple and chestnut trees are found all around, as well as numerous plants and colorful flowers (especially during spring). From above the dominate bird species are vultures and hawks, which thrive in this environment and find shelter in the surrounding cliffs. This is also the location where the paleontological discoveries of the dwarf hippopotamus and elephant fossils were made a short time ago. A second short climb will take us out of the plateau and to the peak of the tour. From here on it is all downhill through the pine forest of Kroustas. This is also the narrowest point of Crete which gives you the chance to see both coasts of the island.after the great views is time to climb back to katharo have lunch and the change to see  some of paleontological discoveries!we climb for the last 3klm and finaly get the road back to lasithi.

 Included in the price

 A guide
 Hardtail Cube Bike
 Vehicle transfers
 Back-pack
 Helmet
 Snacks & Coffee
 Local food Meal

 Highlights

 Lasithi Plateau
 Chaugas gorge
 Katharo plateau 
 Kroustas forest 

Tour details

Days
Price
75 € / Person
Duration

4-5Hours

Tour Type
Intermediate / Cross Country (Level 2)
Terrain
Dirt, Gravel
Altitude gains
600m
Region
Lasithi Plateau
Starting Point
Lasithi Plateau
Ending Point
lasithi plateau
Vehicle Support
Yes

Itinerary

The tour starts from our base at Malia Park Hotel where we ride along the coast and up into Malia old village,we then contine through the valley with olive groves and banana plantations for a wille  until we get to the first climb to reach a small plateau above Malia. A single track will take us to the small villages of Kartsinianos and Pirgos. We then climb a steep asphalt/dirt road and approach the mount of the vulchures colony. We then take a nice down hill to Sissi village and to the beautiful beach of Boufos, from there we go into Sissi port for refreshments and the possibility of having a swim. We then ride a technical single track on the coast line to reach Potamos beach and finish to Malia Park our base.

 Included in the price

 Highlights

Tour details

Days
Price
45 € / Person
Duration
3
Tour Type
Intermediate / Cross Country (Level 2)
Terrain
Altitude gains
500-600m
Region
Lasithi Plateau
Starting Point
malia park
Ending Point
malia park
Vehicle Support
No