Exploring the mountains and gorges of Crete
Breathtakingly pretty yet painstakingly perilous – The mountains and gorges of Crete. Crete is an island of spectacular mountains and rugged beautiful scenery. The mountains rise to over 8.000 feet and are certainly snow capped in winter and early spring. Amongst the mountains there are incredible gorges and high plateaus.
The secret that Crete is an island of great beauty is certainly out, and as a consequence, walkers and climbers from all over the world descend upon Crete as tourists. Activity holidays are thriving on Crete, namely due to the island’s sheer diverse geological splendour.
In the west of the island is the Lefka Ori or White Mountains as they are commonly known. In central Crete stands the highest mountain on Crete, Mount Ida and in the east the looming Dikti Mountains reign the landscape.
Asides being steeped in history, the Dikti region has many high and lush plateaus, which are successfully cultivated and contribute to the island’s locally-grown produce. By comparison, the Mount Ida range is famous for the Zeus Cave, an extraordinary labyrinth deep and dark caves located on the slopes of the mountains. Whist equally as pleasant, is the White Mountains and its hundreds of waterfalls which tumble into the fertile forests below.
In fact there are 50 or so gorges in the White Mountains, which, given their beauty, have naturally become tourist hot spots.
Take a look at three of the most well-known and busiest of the White Mountain gorges and three of the more isolated and seldom visited gorges in this particularly beautiful region of Crete.
The Gorge of Samaria
The Gorge of Samaria is easily the most famous and crowded gorge on Crete with plenty of organised tours. At 18 kilometres long, this is the longest gorge in Europe and the scenery here is second to none.
The Imbros Gorge
The Imbros Gorge opens earlier in the year than the Gorge of Samaria and gets exceptionally busy in the spring. The Imbros Gorge is a much shorter walk than Samaria but a wonderful expedition none the less.
The Gorge of Agia Irini
At an altitude of approximately 560 metres and cut within the western edge of the White Mountains, it is certainly wise to take a camera with you if you are fortunate enough to ever visit the Gorge of Agia Irini. Whilst guided tours are put on here, they do not attract as such intense crowds as the likes of Imbros and Agia Irini.
The less well known…
The Gorge of Tripiti
Nearly as long as the Samaria Gorge but nearly always empty of people, the Gorge of Tripiti starts near the summit of Mount Ginglios and can be a perilous walk to say the least. As this is a serious expedition, a guide book is essential or hiring the services of a local guide might be sensible.
The Gorge of Eligas
The Gorge of Eligas runs fairly close to Samaria but is as devoid of tourists as is Tripiti. Whilst not quite as dangerous as Tripiti, if you were to have an accident in Eligas, you would realise that you are a long way from safety and a guide is thoroughly recommended.
The Gorge of Klados
The Gorge of Klados is one of the most dangerous and challenging on the island and is to be crossed by properly equipped climbers only.
There are many walking and hiking guide books available about Crete’s mountains and gorges. Make sure you do your homework before undertaking anything outside the normal organised perimeters. Although it has to be said that taking a hike away from the well-worn tourist path can give a great feeling of real adventure and the rewards are supreme.