THE HIGH MOUNTAINS OF CRETE
by Loraine Wilson
2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY
About the Author
In 1979, after returning from a spell in Dubai during the early building boom, Loraine Wilson swapped life as an architectural assistant for that of trek leader, mainly in the mountains of Greece. A lifelong hillwalker and backpacker, she has been walking the Cretan mountains since 1982. In 1995 a course in heritage management alerted her in a more formal way to the necessity of encouraging ‘inland tourism’ in Crete, and places like it. Since that so often concerns walking and trekking, Loraine’s guidebooks are written to make a positive contribution.
Other Cicerone guides by the author
Crete – The White Mountains
© Loraine Wilson 2015
Third edition 2015
ISBN: 978 1 85284 799 9
Second edition 2008
ISBN: 978 1 85284 525 4
First edition (Crete – The White Mountains) 2000
ISBN: 1 85284 298 9
Printed by KHL Printing, Singapore
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
All photographs and maps by the author.
Acknowledgements
My special thanks for their interest in the project of this third edition go to four people, repeat-visitors to the Cretan mountains. They took the time to send me their own observations and suggestions, to take part in discussions and cross-referencing, and to answer subsequent queries. They are Petr Lang, Simon Stutz, Kerd Kersten and Jean Bienvenu. I, and they, hope this book will prove encouraging and useful to readers who also seek to explore the walking potential and outdoor adventure to be found in Crete.
Updates to this Guide
While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/799/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, United Kingdom.
Warning
Mountain walking can be a dangerous activity carrying a risk of personal injury or death. It should be undertaken only by those with a full understanding of the risks and with the training and experience to evaluate them. While every care and effort has been taken in the preparation of this guide, the user should be aware that conditions can be highly variable and can change quickly, materially affecting the seriousness of a mountain walk. Therefore, except for any liability that cannot be excluded by law, neither Cicerone nor the author accept liability for damage of any nature (including damage to property, personal injury or death) arising directly or indirectly from the information in this book.
To call out the Mountain Rescue, ring the international emergency number 112: this will connect you via any available network. Once connected to the emergency operator, ask for the police.
Front cover: Crossing the pass from Potamos to the Plakoseli valley (Trek 6a)
CONTENTS
Hillwalking and trekking regions
Part 1 The White Mountains (Lefka Ori)
Walk 1 Around the Omalos Plain
Walk 2 The Gorge of Samaria National Park