The picturesque village of Pefki (meaning Pines) is located in the mountains at an elevation of 420m (nearly 1,400 feet), 7km (4 miles) north of Makrigialos. The road to Pefki turns off the main Makrigialos road opposite the Mikri Poli hotel, and winds a scenic journey up into the mountains, with splendid views down to the coast and across the arid mountainscape of east Crete.

Pefki is a pedestrian little spot, figuratively and literally. It is mentioned in a Turkish census of 1671, but did not receive its first car until 1953, or electricity until 1970. The only road passes along the lower, southern edge of the village which climbs above the road in a maze of narrow streets lined with buildings that can switch from deserted ruin to modern renovation in just a few steps. Facilities for the visitor are limited, with a small cafe on the main road, and the popular Piperia taverna, which stages traditional music and dance (audience participation mostly voluntary) every Sunday, hidden a short walk up a narrow lane from the road.

To the south of the village the Pefki gorge is a gentle walk, with some scrambling, passing through the picturesque hamlet of Aspros Potamos before arriving at the coast in central Makrigialos. The gorge is accessed from the main road a short distance to the west of the village (signposted).

To the north of the village is Afendis Stavromenos, an impressively high peak with a small church built on top and some spectacular views to the coast and across to the mountains of east Crete. There are also a couple of caves in this area that can be explored. The peak and caves are reached by turning off the road a short distance east of the village (at a 3-way junction, with a surfaced road signposted for Pefki, a track signposted for Lithines, and between these a surfaced road signposted for the cave). The first cave is reached after a 5-10 minute walk after the surfaced road ends. Afendis Stavromenos and the second cave are reached via a track that turns left off the road just before it ends (check your car insurance if driving). The church is reached via a steep climb - the faint-hearted will be relieved to know that the climb is on a good path with handrails; the weak-hearted may well want to have the helicopters on standby.

More information...
• Pefki Gorge
• Cultural Association of Pefki Village