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Skinakas Observatory from Gazi

HC
4.5
2 reviews | Elevation profile | 13 photos
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
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Elevation profile Skinakas Observatory from Gazi

Statistics

Difficulty points 1067
Length 28.1 mi
Average gradient 4%
Steepest segment 10.4%
Total ascent 6010 ft

Short recap

Beautiful scenery
15 hairpin turns
#23 toughest climb of Greece
#62 most elevation gain of Europe
#85 longest climb of World
#55 average steepest climb of Crete
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Skinakas Observatory from Gazi is a climb in the region Crete. It is 28.1 mi long and bridges 6010 ft of vertical ascent with an average gradient of 4%, resulting in a difficulty score of 1067. The top of the ascent is located at 5689 ft above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 2 reviews of this climb and uploaded 13 photos.

Road names: Ρεθύμνου - Ηράκλειου & Ηράκλειο - Ανώγεια

5.0 by klimgeiten
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch.
Never have I cycled a longer climb than this one. From Gazi, it is just under 50 kilometres to the observatory at the summit. Despite length, it's not a tedious climb because of its variety. Many turns and nice villages, where you are still warmly welcomed to eat or drink something. Last kilometres after the turn-off are tough but is also the most beautiful part. And a 50 km descent is also quite nice!... read more

Photos (13)

Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
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Reviews (2)

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klimgeiten
klimgeiten premium
2 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Never have I cycled a longer climb than this one.
From Gazi, it is just under 50 kilometres to the observatory at the summit.
Despite length, it's not a tedious climb because of its variety. Many turns and nice villages, where you are still warmly welcomed to eat or drink something.
Last kilometres after the turn-off are tough but is also the most beautiful part.
And a 50 km descent is also quite nice!

Nooit fietste ik een langere klim dan deze.
Vanaf Gazi is het een kleine 50 kilometer naar het observatorium op de top.
Ondanks lengte is het geen vervelende klim door de vele afwisseling. Veel bochten en leuke dorpjes, waar je nog hartelijk ontvangen wordt om iets te eten of te drinken.
Laatste kilometers na de afslag zijn pittig maar is ook het mooiste gedeelte.
En een afdaling van 50 km is ook best lekker!

Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Dashboard
Niels1987
Niels1987 premium
3 y 4.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

I started the climb from Anogeia, from where it was still about'5 km with something like 1000 hm. The day before I had done Lakos Migerou and in comparison the Skinakas, the first 15 km from Anogeia, is much easier. Here you feel like you can set a nice pace, although it is also stepped here with flatter and steeper sections. So the first 15 kilometres flew by in less than an hour of cycling. After about 15 kilometres you have to take a left turn. However, this is badly signposted. After the turn-off, it goes up and down a bit and you think, am I all right? Also because you can't see the observatory domes at the summit by then. The last 3.5 kilometres of the climb are the hardest and the 6％ in the profile are a distortion. Here there are strips well above 10％. I think I saw 13-15％ regularly here anyway. However, as it flattens out in between, it will be less steep on average but for your feel it is tough. Every time you look to see if the domes are already in sight, but because the road still twists around the mountain there is another wall to every bend. When you arrive at the domes, you do have an incredibly beautiful panorama of the surroundings, where you can see Heraklion in the distance, but also Crete's highest mountain, Psiloritis. This arrival does give the climb a certain allure, even more so than Lakos Migerou, despite being less difficult.

Ik begon de klim vanuit Anogeia, waarvandaan het nog zo'n 19,5 km met iets van 1000 hm was. De dag ervoor had ik Lakos Migerou gedaan en in vergelijking is de Skinakas, de eerste 15 km vanaf Anogeia, veel makkelijker. Hier heb je het gevoel lekker tempo te kunnen maken, al is het hier ook trapsgewijs met vlakkere en steilere stukken. Zo vlogen de eerste 15 kilometer voorbij in minder dan een uur fietsen. Na een kilometer of 15 moet je afslag naar links nemen. Dit staat echter slecht aangegeven. Na de afslag gaat het wat op en af en denk je, zit ik wel goed? Ook omdat je de sterrenwachtkoepels op de top dan nog niet ziet. De laatste 3,5 kilometer van de klim zijn het moeilijkste en zijn de 6％ in het het profiel een vertekend beeld. Hier zitten stroken ruim boven de 10％. Volgens mij zag ik toch wel regelmatig 13-15％ hier. Omdat het tussendoor echter weer wat afvlakt zal het gemiddeld minder steil maar voor je gevoel is het zwaar. Telkens kijk je of de koepels al in zicht komen, maar omdat de weg nog rond de berg draait is er naar elke bocht nog weer een nieuw muurtje. Bij de koepels aangekomen heb je dan wel weer een onwijs mooi panoramo over de omgeving, waarbij je Heraklion in de verte kan zien, maar ook de hoogste berg van Kreta, de Psiloritis. Deze aankomst geeft de klim wel een bepaalde allure, meer nog dan Lakos Migerou, ondanks dat deze minder zwaar is.

Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Skinakas Observatory from Gazi
Dashboard

Climbing times

5 mph 05:39:23
7 mph 04:00:16
9 mph 03:07:15
12 mph 02:20:40

Road surface condition

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Frequently Asked Questions

Skinakas Observatory can be cycled from 2 sides. Skinakas Observatory from Gazi is the most popular side, but the summit can also be reached via Skinakas Observatory from Mourtzana.

You don't need special gearing for Skinakas Observatory from Gazi. The slope isn't long or steep enough to require much shifting down. You can conquer this climb on power alone. However, a compact gearing system with a smallest front chainring of 34 and largest rear sprocket of 28 or 30 is always nice if you enjoy cycling uphill. This helps maintain a smooth cadence.

Skinakas Observatory from Gazi belongs to the Hors Catégorie, the top category. These are legendary and very tough climbs. A solid cycling condition, experience, and a good climbing gear ratio are essential to maintain a smooth cadence and complete the climb comfortably.

Skinakas Observatory from Gazi is 28.1 mi long.

The average gradient of Skinakas Observatory from Gazi is 4%.

Skinakas Observatory from Gazi has a steepest segment with an average gradient of 10.4%.

The summit of Skinakas Observatory from Gazi is at 5689 ft.

At a slow pace of 5 mph, it takes about 05:39:23 to climb Skinakas Observatory from Gazi. At 7 mph the time is 04:00:16, and at 9 mph 03:07:15. For the fastest cyclists, 02:20:40 is an achievable time.

Skinakas Observatory from Gazi is located in the region Crete in Greece.

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