From Therisso to Agia Roumeli, trekking the Lefka Ori

Hi folks,

The hillside above Therisso is well fed with springs, which is quite unusual in the Lefka Ori range. There are three of them on the old transhumance trail to Kolokithas valley. Nowadays, sheperdhing activities still exist on this northern side of the mountains. I have met shepherds and herds on my way to Kolokithas, as far as Tria Matia pass.

Kolokithas probably was an important place long ago, there is a large mitato complex there, suggesting people did operate in the valley. From Kolokithas, it is possible to go to Livada and Pirou Mitato. These routes offer access respectively, to Livada and Potamos valley. They are disused however, and have been for quite some time. There are no real paths to be found (few segments here and there). The way to Kolokithas itself from Therisso is not well defined, and there are no waymarks. Last august, I had the opportunity to walk the trail, starting from Therisso to Agia Roumeli on the South coast. Read more

Cretan wilderness, from Sougia to Agia Roumeli

Hello everyone,

Among the three main mountain ranges in Crete, the Lefka Ori is the only one that has a coastline. The south side of the mountains is like a balcony on the lybian sea. The coast line is rugged, with barren cliffs cut by deep gorges. Among these, Samaria is the most famous gorge, but there are half a dozen more. The nature is wild and as a consequence, the place is not well developped. There are few infrastructures and ferry boats are the only way to travel between villages on the coast. The lack of roads, however, is a blessing for trekkers. Between Anidri beach near Paleochora, and Sfakia, three villages are linked by footpaths: Sougia, Agia Roumeli and Loutro. Read more

Trekking and rafting in Tzoumerka mountains

Hi folks,

Last August I bent my own rules that state: every year I shall spend my summer vacations in Crete. Well not quite, I shared my time between Crete and Epirus. Epirus is not the best known destination in greece but it's worth a visit. Well I was there for one week and I got to see a lot. My friend Stati was kind enough to invite me for a few days at his mother's place. A small village called Megarchi near Arta.

Arta is a medium provincial town on the Amvrakikos gulf. The town is famous for a beautiful stone brige across the Arachtos river. The landscape there is not much different from what I'm used to see in northern Crete. Rocky hills and olive trees everywhere. However, not far away (one hour drive towards Ioannina) Tzoumerka stands as a mountain range of southern Pindos, with quite different landscapes. Read more