at 28.5km (S) from Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna
30th August - The day dawned with a cloudless blue sky. I was lucky. The route starts with a gentle two km warm up across the Niato plateau before turning more vicious. The next phase is a very steep 700 meter climb up the north east ridge of Kastro. One of the pluses is that you are doing this in the relative cool of the morning - one of the minuses is that you will probably be carrying something like five litres of water. Distance: 17.0 km Time: 10 hrs. 5mins. Mov av 2.5 km/hr Height overnight: 1,913m. Max. height: 2,060m.
at 28.7km (SE) from Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna
It is located at an altitude of 750 m, 50 km SE from the city of Hania and 20 km from the village of Vryses. Its population is approximately 500 people. The small villages that constitute the community of Askifou are Kares, Ammoudari, Goni and Petres. The most touristic organised of them is Ammoudari with restaurants, gas station, and some rooms for rent.
at 29.3km (SE) from Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna
Crete's only freshwater lake, Lake Kournás (GR: Λίμνη Κουρνά), is relatively large, with a perimeter of 3.5 km. Although almost all touristic leaflets say that it is possible to walk around the lake, that is not true. At least not at the end of the rain season (winter). There is a nature preserve on the Southwest of the lake. But there is a rustic road from the North of the lake to the Hills on the West of the lake too.
at 31.5km (S) from Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna
Pórtes (GR: Πόρτες - Gates) or Sideróportes (Iron Gates) is maybe the most striking point of the canyon. Here the canyon walls rise nearly 300 meters while the width is only 3.5 m. At this point the water runs almost all year round. The stratified limestone, the dominant rock of the canyon, forms specific geological formations, showing all the geological history of the canyon in the eyes of connoisseurs. Portes are 11 km away from the entrance of the Samarian gorge at Xylóskalo and 4km from the beach at Agia Roumeli.
at 32.4km (S) from Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna
The ravine begins from the last houses of the village of Imbros and 8 km after it ends at the village of Komitades. Its crossing is smooth and entails no danger...
at 32.8km (SE) from Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna
CALAMON apartments is a complex of high quality apartments and studios, located 1 km away from the village of Episkopi, 6km from Georgioupolis, 14 km from Rethymno and only 700m from the wonderful beach of Petre. Surrounded by flowery gardens, it commands spectacular views to the sea and the mainland. The complex features 7 apartments and 7 studios, in two separate buildings, all fully equipped and decorated with excellent taste and care. All apartments and studios have private balcony or terrace. Calamon has a large swimming pool and one smaller for children. There is also a restaurant - bar for your breakfast, meals and snacks.
at 33.5km (SE) from Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna
Episkopi is a small town of the prefecture and county of Rethymno. It is located at the old national road of Rethymno - Hania, 17 km away from the city of Rethymno. The town is built at 120 m a.s.l. overlooking the northern coast of Crete, and the green and fertile valley of Mousselas river.
at 34.3km (SW) from Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna
A small village 21km away from Kastelli Kissamou,at 340 m. a.s.l with 57 permanent residents. The village is mentioned by Fr. Barozzi since 1577. A little before the village of Sassalos, starts the gorge of Salasse, a small one which leads to Tyflos river, and is worthy to walk.
at 34.4km (S) from Park for the Preservation of Flora & Fauna
Agia Rouméli (GR: Αγία Ρουμέλη)is a small fishing village, approximately two kms from the ending of Samaria Gorge. It is accessible only by boat from Paleohora, and from Hora Sfakion. It serves mainly as a stopover for visitors coming down the Samaria Gorge, and waiting for the boat to take them to Sfakia or Paleohora. However those who decide to stay for a couple of days or more will find apart from the unique scenery, a great beach with crystal clear water, plenty of interesting walks and a good choice of accommodations, taverns, cafés and stores. The place is also rich in history as it was inhabited since the antiquity. It is the site of the ancient city of Tárra (GR: Τάρρα), a famous cult place, that flourished from the Classical to the Roman times.
