Bulgarian Path to Mochos

This is a sort of circular tour based on Malia.
I started the tour in the centre of Malia at bus stop 33 and finished it near the Minoan Palace on the outskirts of the town. The navigation through the streets of Malia to the start of the tour proper involved making a few missteps, but they were quickly put right.
On the outskirts of the town I walked right past the start of the path. The reason for this was that there was a high metal fence blocking the path, but on closer inspection there was a gate that could be opened. I was surprised to find that the path was not only wide but it was paved. I couldn't believe this after my experience of other Greek paths. The reason for its being paved is that it was done by Bulgarian POWs in the First World War to link Mochos with Malia and Stalis.
I followed the path upwards and later crossed the North Cretan Highway by a footbridge.
Near to Mochos the path flattened out. I didn't visit Mochos but continued on the road. I saw a white church on a hill, but discovered it could not be visited. Shortly after this church I took a road on the left leading to the monastery of Axion Esti. Possibly because it was a Sunday I was able to look inside. It had taken me three hours to get here.
The footpath leading down from the mountain is right by the monastery and again is paved, though not as well as the path up from Malia. The descent was straightforward crossing the Highway by a bridge and taking me to the beach at Stalis. The descent took me an hour and thirty minutes.
I continued my journey by walking into Malia. This part of the tour although easy was boring and almost three kilometres long.
This was an easy and enjoyable tour for me with great views looking back to the coast.