Agios Georgios is both a place with two settlements and an area that includes the Limnakaro Plateau. The European long-distance hiking trail E4 also passes through Agios Georgios. These three connections—the settlement structure, an island route and named mountain destinations—show different sides of the destination. When planning a stay, you can first consider whether the area’s history or its landscapes and hiking routes are the main draw; the names and elevations offer concrete points of reference.

Two settlements, several names

Agios Georgios consists of Kato Chorio (also called Agios Georgios) and Pano Chorio (also called Plathianos or Agios Dimitrios). Before 1920, the two settlements were separate villages. The names therefore refer to two settlements, not several independent places: Kato Chorio and Agios Georgios are two names for one settlement; Pano Chorio, Plathianos and Agios Dimitrios are names for the other. The village of Agios Georgios was named after its church. For orientation, when you see the broader name Agios Georgios, look for the qualifier Kato Chorio or Pano Chorio; Pano Chorio is also known as Plathianos and Agios Dimitrios.

Limnakaro and the area’s peaks

The Limnakaro Plateau is part of the Agios Georgios area and lies at 1,120 m. From there, you can set out for the summit of Spathi, which is also called Entichtis. At 2,148 m, Spathi is the highest peak of the Dikti range. A southern route leads toward Afentis Christos; at 2,141 m, it is the second-highest peak of the Lasithi Mountains. The elevations differ by only seven metres. However, the rankings refer to two different mountain ranges: Spathi is the highest peak of the Dikti range, while Afentis Christos is the second-highest peak of the Lasithi Mountains. So when comparing them, consider not only elevation but also the mountain range and direction: from the plateau, you can set out for Spathi or head south toward Afentis Christos. These are two named summit destinations, not different names for the same mountain.

The E4 across Crete

The E4 crosses Crete from Kasteli Kissamos in the west to Kato Zakros in the east, passing through Agios Georgios. The endpoints place the area along a west-to-east route across the island. This perspective on the E4 differs from the information about the Limnakaro Plateau: there, the focus is on routes toward named peaks; for the E4, it is the route across Crete. These are different scales of planning for a trip involving hiking. If you are following the island crossing, consider the E4 as a long-distance route; if you are interested in the peaks, you can compare Spathi and Afentis Christos by elevation, mountain range and direction. Check current trail conditions before setting out on a specific hike.

Discover more destinations: Prina, Katsikia, Mirtos, Kritsa, Stavroménos, Kalivos, Agios Stefanos, Kouremenos

For the broader travel overview: Lasithi.