Panagia tou Sinti , Xeros river

Picture No 25 is of the trail map and it shows you that you can stick to the main trail (RED LINE) to allow entrance to the Monerstery and not follow the route we did which was a little overgrown and pointless.☺️👍

This circular route gives you some breath taking views, also a few crossings of the river Xeros, which was very easy because of the stepping stones, and time of year we did the walk.( Can get deeper in winter time)
A visit to the well preserved monastery of Panagia tou Sinti is a must and you will also see one or two old watermill ruins .
The abandoned monastery of Panagia tou Sinti is situated on the banks of the Xeros River in Pentalia, and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Panagia) of Sinti.

The church has an octagonal dome with four windows and belongs to the first half of the 16th century. Its central nave is in good condition, and it is considered to be one of the most important buildings of the Venetian period.

The Monastery remained in operation until 1927 and thereafter was abandoned. In 1994, the Monastery of Kykkos undertook the maintenance of the Monastery, completing it in 1997 when it earned the Europa Nostra Award for the use of good restoration techniques and preservation of its original character.

You can visit the donkey farm at the end of the walk, not quite sure why they charge an entrance fee of €2 if you just want lunch and a drink?

You have options with this hike, you can cut straight through the middle of the hike and walk by the side of the river and get to the Monerstery that way if you so wished, to make an easier and shorter walk.

TERRAIN: paved and dirt roads, a bit of a slog at the beginning of the trail but worth the effort for the view, the other elevations are much milder. You cross the river twice (see photos)

SEASON: the trail has no shade. During rainy seasons the river may become deeper and may have stronger current.

SIGNS: no trail signs. But there are some pointing to the monastery and neighboring villages.