2-day hiking in the White Mountains on Oct. 12-13

The imposing mountain mass of Western Crete with the eerie Madares, as the highest points of the White Mountains are called, is the largest refuge of endemic plants in our country, attracting the interest of dozens of botanists from all over the world. The White Mountains are one of the most impressive mountains in Greece, a giant massif dominating the middle of the Mediterranean. The name White Mountains comes from the fact that the peaks look white almost all year round, both from the snow and the bare rocks that glisten in the sun. They are located in western Crete, have a direction from west to east and occupy an area of 50 kilometers in length and 25 kilometers in width which constitutes almost 40% of the prefecture of Chania.

More than fifty peaks higher than 2,000 meters. Deep ravines, many gorges with vertiginous cliffs, rugged ridges with imposing rocks, accessible, but also difficult routes, the combination of all the above is the White Mountains.

Our mountains are a true balcony above the Libyan and Cretan seas, such that even the imagination of a great artist could not conceive.

The White Mountains are a group that has more high than low peaks. They are the mountains where each peak is independent, different in shape and with peculiarities from the one next to it. Thirty km long and 25 km wide, occupies their area. The locals call them madares and nowhere in their heights will you find a paved path like the ones we knew in mainland Greece. Treeless, wild with sharp stones and huge areas of gravel that make it difficult for walkers in their excursions towards them.

Greek and foreign climbers rightly consider the White Mountains to be a difficult mountain. But climbing them you see that the wildness is matched with the magnificence, the difficulty of the climb intertwined with the magic and the pleasure. Pachnes is the highest peak, 2,454 meters, but the view towards the two glasses (Cretan-Libyan Sea) is equally wonderful from numerous peaks a little lower.

Where to start: from its plateaus, from the imposing gorges, from the wild ravines, from the caves full of legends, from the sinkholes or from the wonderful human presence, which with their hospitality put you in a big dilemma even to you stay there with them.

In the White Mountains we find canyons of the greatest interest to the tourists of the canyons in Greece. The largest and best known gorge is the Samaria Gorge. There are also other "canyons" according to local legend, such as Aradaina, Tripitas, etc. where you should leave yourself to nature and take the time to discover their beauties.

On the plateaus of Omalos and Askyfos one can experience Cretan hospitality and taste the "elevation" of Mediterranean cuisine and the wonderful Cretan delicacies.

1st day

Our meeting will take place in Heraklion and from there we will continue to Anopolis Sfakion with the aim of climbing the highest peak of the White Mountains and the second highest peak of Crete, Pachnes.

After arriving and settling in at our hotel, we will advance to an altitude of 1900m and to Rousies, where our hike will begin. Then we will follow the classic path and we will reach Pachnes and at 2453m from where we will enjoy the view of the magnificent Madares, but also of the Cretan and Libyan seas.

We return to Rusies by the same path and then to Anopoli where we will spend the night.

6 hours of hiking

2nd day

Breakfast with the dew and then we will go to the village of Aradaina with the largest metal bridge in Greece (138m high) from where we will start our hike in the gorge of Aradaina, one of the most impressive gorges in Greece.

The route inside the gorge is enchanting but at the same time a bit demanding with the big rocks making it difficult for us to hike all the way to Marmara beach. At the beach it is time to rest and swim before we continue to Loutro and end up in Sfakia full of new experiences.

Return to Heraklion.

6 hours of hiking

Cost 225 euros / person