2 weeks in the Lefka Ori - June 11 - 23

[Jayhickson]

Hi everyone, I recently spent a couple of weeks in the Lefka Ori - I wanted to visit some places new to me (particularly Keratidas gorge, higher up in the Eligia gorge and the Sfakiano gorge) and some old favourites, a linear walk.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/t ... ce=4949751

Beginning at Xyloskala walking west across Omalos plain joining the well built kalderimi to Agia Irini. Following the pleasant Agia Irini Gorge to overnight at Sougia.

The next day was extremely hot, so a short walk to Profitis Ilias at Cape Tripiti, returning to Sougia to sleep.

The next day was another hot one, an early start eastward along the coast and north on to the Polifimos Cave path (following Rob Outram's 2013 GPS) then turning off to initially follow the eastern rim of the Keratidas Gorge (difficult in places, mostly no path) to arrive at Agia Aikaterini, onwards to Olisma and Agii Theodori, ending the day in Omalos village.

The next day was a circular walk, reaching the summit of Koukoulé 1641m and Kallergi Refuge (still closed) returning to Omalos for the night. Also, the last day of the heatwave.

Then a late start to avoid the crowds down the Samaria Gorge, overnight at Agia Roumeli.

Heading further eastward along the coast, turning north in to Eligia Gorge. Ascending the gorge to reach the forested Fliskounias basin after a few hours. At the saddle separating the basin from the lower gorge, I turned east to follow the steep path (red dots and cairns) up and around the Kormoukopou Gorge, arriving at Kormoukopou cave. This is an exposed route and requires scrambling and a head for heights. Serious fun and good views though! Beyond the cave, the day finished in Agios Ioannis.

A quiet day in Agios Ioannis, a walk in Kormoukopou forest and easy summit Papakefala 1062m, staying in Agios Ioannis overnight.

The next morning, I ascended to Kroussia (via the shepherd's road, I wanted to loosen up my legs and enjoy the views!) and onwards to the Drakolaki cave, from there in followed a ravine which becomes the Aradhena Gorge. Most of the route was rock hopping in the river bed, also avoiding dry waterfalls through the adjacent forests. My route took me through Livaniana (self service taverna well stocked) and on to Loutro for a rest day.

After a day without walking boots, I ascended to hill behind Loutro, following the kalderimi east halfway or more up the hill. Passing through the hamlet of Kambia, then finding the footpath through Riza, and in to Anópoli centre to spend the night at the excellent Platanos

I spent a day walking around the Aradhena area, I walked north across the Anópoli plateau, then crossed the far northern kalderimi that I'd seen 2 days earlier. Walking north towards Kroussia, then south through the forest to the Agios Ioannis road at Aradhena village. I attempted to follow the old kalderimi from Aradhena, however it was very poorly maintained and filled with cut tree branches, presumably for animal feed. I got off the kalderimi and followed the road to then turn toward the coast on a shepherd's road towards the Agios Vaselios church then down to Marmara. From Marmara, the kalderimi to the Loutro - Anopoli path got me to Anópoli in 2.5 hours.

Leaving Anópoli I took the route north east to reach Timios Stavros church, high in the Illingas gorge. Leaving Anopoli, the footpath was blocked by a gate - wired and tied in multiple places with scrap string, I cut the string, entered and resecured the multiple wires. Following the gorge, I reached the sea near Hora Sfakia. 2 points in the gorge were difficult, one avoidable following a bypass down a scree slope (cairns), the other unavoidable and required slightly hairy downwards scrambling.

My final walk took me from Hora Sfakia to Kares, Askifou, via the Sfakiano gorge. The lower half of the gorge is easy and fast walking, on a steady uphill angle with no steep areas or obstructions. Halfway up in the area of Agios Pavlos church (which I missed) I took the narrow, central ravine heading exactly due north. The central ravine tightens and is badly blocked by fallen trees and rockfalls. Blue in white markings show the way in parts, but it is clearly a rarely frequented route. The route often heads steeply up hill into the woods to avoid dry waterfall sections (look out for the blue and white marks, generally no path) Once on the Kalli Lakkoi road, it's plain sailing to Askifou

A great couple of weeks!

Jay

[Disno1899]

Well done! And a quite impressive track for merely twelve days in Sfakia.

I also like the fact that you did not move from one place to another every single day, but that you stayed in some premises for two nights. It feels a bit less restless, which I like during vacations.

[Frank]

Hi Jay, nice places, nice tracks !! ...and fine, that you give us a summery of your 2024- crete- trekking- holiday ...
Thanks!!

[Jayhickson]

Well done! And a quite impressive track for merely twelve days in Sfakia.

I also like the fact that you did not move from one place to another every single day, but that you stayed in some premises for two nights. It feels a bit less restless, which I like during vacations.

Thanks very much! Yeah, I only stayed in Agia Roumeli and Hora Sfakia for single nights. It's nice being able to unpack properly and also enjoy walks with a much lighter bag!

[Jayhickson]

Hi Jay, nice places, nice tracks !! ...and fine, that you give us a summery of your 2024- crete- trekking- holiday ...
Thanks!!

No problem, it was a great trip!