Crete, Lefka Ori – 1 week in may 24
Lakki – Zourva
We, a group of 4 with full camping equipment, started in Lakki with cool temperatures ,rain in the night and cloudy sky at the end of a bad weather period.
Beginning on the signed path to Omalos, we leaved it later, down in the dry river bed and continued the valley in direction to Meskla. No easy going (slippery rocks), sometimes it was necessary to take off the baggage, but it looks and feels there like a jungle somewhere in Panama, dark, green,damp….
Fortunately we found in Meskla a comfortable exit to the left side of the village, the river bed becomes at the end unpassable.
From Meskla to Zourva on the signed footpath, track in 1,5 h (Gorge Sarakina). We arrived too late to have a good meal, Maria was still feeding the animals and Emilia’s Taverna had only a fast and last beer for us….. they wanted finish their business day ….
Zourva – Papa Lakko
….the day, that changed everything !!! beginning with afternoon we had sun and good weather conditions for the rest of the days- it makes a big difference in everything !!!
- Pigadakia
The track, passing Tromarissa and Pigadakia, is a really beautiful one, for me the best track, coming from the north, to achieve the higher regions of the Levka Ori because of the exciting nature und the safe water sources. We spent the night in neighborhood of the Mitato Papa Lakko, (I hope, the term is correctly), 1.400 m, beautiful scenery, protected place from the mountains around….
But so cold in our night, that we escaped with the last sunbeam in our sleeping bags. In the morning we had ice fragment’s on the tent…. But after the sunrise and a hot and strong coffee everything was good and we could enjoy this fine place, talking also with the Sheppard’s.
Pappa Lakko – Omalos
After 1h the raff road to Poria is to see, 2 hours later we walked on it to the Kallergi shelter (closed), continuing to Koukoule and Omalos hotels with shower, restaurant and bed….
Omalos circle
For one day we were 5, because we met MichPaule
.
We made an easy circle walk, visited Agion Panton and explored, if the Taverna , situated near the street cross at the exit in direction to sougia, still exist. (We had e good night stay there some years ago) (The answer is: yes !!! ) fine ! no advertising, no sign, but Mama was there, also a brand new toilet exist, so, they have prepared a future in their business, fine.
Omalos - Akonizia
Well prepared, 3,5 l water for each of us (we have never been there and got no safe expression to the question, if we will find water there …), we started at 8 at Xyloskalo , used the track passing the Strifomadi.
From the top of Koriaris a wonderful view , Mt. Touba not fare and expressed situated, Mitato Kouroupito directly below, Mitato Skafidi opposite and the ridge inside of Tripiti, where the footpath should be, so nice to see.
The excitement in the group founded an end first after entering 8 l fresh and could water of the Akonizia and we had such a nice and friendly evening at the beautiful rest place above the water source.
Akonizia – Koustokerako
Once more a very interesting, wild track, not dangerous but not so easy to find. We enjoyed the nature, the views to the cost line, the silence and celebrated our “heroic act” with a worm tsikoudia on the raff road above Koustogerako.
- view to Prof. Illias
The last night before achieve the “touristic zone” in Sougia took place on roof of the zisterna 10 min. before K.
Maria in K. cocked for us a wonderful meal of potatoes, lamb and artichoke and Yannis brought us one beer after another.
…disrupted we have only in the morning hours the flock of sheeps, they were unsettled to use there water sources for breakfast…
Koustogerako – Sougia
An easy half day walk, say good bye to Maria and Yannis, passing the cave and finish the hike on E4 coastal for the last 2 hours.
