Cretan Wild

Third time lucky! After 2 failed attempts because of adverse weather conditions we finally made our trip across the White Mountains of Crete from Omalos, up to Kallergi refuge, past Melintao peak, katseveli refuge and then continue onto its highest peak of Pachnes at 2,453m. The first video gives you some idea of what we covered during the middle section of Kallergi to Katsiveli ☺️

We did a combination of hiking and running, starting at 330am in the dark and finishing approximately 8 hours later. Approx. 27km and 2,000m of elevation gain.



Με την τρίτη τα καταφέραμε! 😊 Μετά από δύο αποτυχημένες προσπάθειες λόγω των δυσμενών καιρικών συνθηκών, καταφέραμε επιτέλους να διασχίσουμε τα Λευκά Όρη, ξεκινώντας από τον Ομαλό, ανεβαίνοντας στο Καταφύγιο Καλλέργη, περνώντας από την κορυφή Μελινταού και το Καταφύγιο Κατσίβελη, για να καταλήξουμε στην ψηλότερη κορυφή των Λευκών Ορέων, τις Πάχνες, στα 2.453 μ.

Το πρώτο βίντεο σάς δίνει μια μικρή γεύση από το μεσαίο κομμάτι της διαδρομής, από το Καταφύγιο Καλλέργη μέχρι το Καταφύγιο Κατσίβελη. ☺️

Η διαδρομή ήταν ένας συνδυασμός πεζοπορίας και τρεξίματος. Ξεκινήσαμε στις 3:30 τα ξημερώματα, μέσα στο σκοτάδι, και ολοκληρώσαμε περίπου 8 ώρες αργότερα.

📍 27 χλμ.
⛰️ 2.000 μ. θετικής υψομετρικής διαφοράς

Happy Pachnes! This time a day time trip and perfect way to escape the heat at sea level with temperatures much lower on the peak. Want an even cooler experience? Just us for sunset when you’ll have to wrap up in a jacket, temperatures are so cold 😊

Message me for more details

Χαρούμενες στιγμές στις Πάχνες! Αυτή τη φορά απολαύσαμε μια ημερήσια ανάβαση – ο ιδανικός τρόπος να ξεφύγεις από τη ζέστη, καθώς στην κορυφή η θερμοκρασία είναι αισθητά χαμηλότερη από ό,τι στο επίπεδο της θάλασσας.

Θέλεις μια ακόμη πιο δροσερή εμπειρία; Έλα μαζί μας στην ανάβαση για το ηλιοβασίλεμα, όπου σίγουρα θα χρειαστείς μπουφάν, γιατί στην κορυφή κάνει πραγματικά κρύο!

Στείλε μου μήνυμα για περισσότερες πληροφορίες.

Another beautiful sunset experience on Pachnes, the highest summit in the Lefka Ori.

Hope you’ll join us next time 🫶

Every summer we hear stories of hikers and runners getting into difficulty in the mountains. If you’re planning an adventure in Crete this season, here are a few simple tips that could make all the difference.

Κάθε καλοκαίρι ακούμε ιστορίες για πεζοπόρους και δρομείς που αντιμετωπίζουν δυσκολίες στα βουνά. Αν σχεδιάζετε μια περιπέτεια στην Κρήτη αυτό το καλοκαίρι, παρακάτω θα βρείτε μερικές απλές συμβουλές που μπορούν να κάνουν τη διαφορά.

Mountain Running Safety Checklist - Cretan Wild Mountain Running Safety: 12 Essential Trail Running Safety Tips Ασφάλεια στο Ορεινό Τρέξιμο: 12 Βασικές Συμβουλές για Ασφαλές Trail Running Ελληνικά παρακάτω Whether you're trail running in Crete, the Alps or your local mountains, pre...

Aradena Gorge is one of the most spectacular hikes in Crete.

Most people know Aradena Gorge because of the famous bridge, home to the second-highest bridge bungee jump in Greece. But there’s so much more to this incredible place in the White Mountains of Chania.

At the bridge, Aradena Gorge is around 138 metres deep, making it the deepest gorge in the Chania prefecture. While many people start from the bridge, the gorge actually begins much higher in the White Mountains, with entrances above both Anopoli and Agios Ioannis.

From the abandoned village of Aradena, ancient mule tracks (kalderimia) and beautifully built stone paths wind their way down into the gorge. Until the bridge was built in 1986, these were the only routes linking the villages of Anopoli and Agios Ioannis.

The hike through Aradena Gorge to Marmara Beach is around 5 km and mostly downhill, but don’t underestimate it. Expect rocky, technical terrain, plenty of rock hopping, and one particularly memorable obstacle - a huge boulder that completely blocks the gorge. You can either climb over it using the ladders or take the staircase built into the cliff. Both are an adventure, especially if heights aren’t your favourite thing!

As you get closer to the sea, the landscape softens. Sandy sections begin to appear, pink oleanders sway in the breeze, and then, finally, you catch your first glimpse of the sparkling turquoise waters of the Libyan Sea.

The gorge opens onto the beautiful Marmara Beach, a tiny cove with crystal-clear water and sea caves you can swim into. After a hot summer hike, it’s one of the most refreshing swims you’ll ever have.

If you’re planning to hike Aradena Gorge in Crete, allow around 3 hours for the 5 km descent, depending on your pace. There is no drinking water along the route, and much of the trail is exposed to the sun, so carry plenty of water and don’t forget sun protection.

Aradena Gorge & Marmara Beach Hike / Φαράγγι Αράδαινας και πεζοπορία στην παραλία του Μαρμαρά

This week we attempted to run from Xyoskalo in Omalos across the white mountains to Sfakia.

We started on the trail from Xyloskalo that merges with the dirt road to Kallergi which we continued on until we reached the E4 path which goes into the heart of the white mountains about 2,000ft of vertical gain and 4 miles.

From here the terrain is quite technical and rocky. As we continued our ascent the wind increased. This next section of 2 miles an a further 2,000ft of vertical gain is quite exposed going across mountain saddles and traversing the side with steep drop offs. It felt like it increased to BF7 and was getting scary feeling like we were about to be blown off the mountains.

At this point we valued our safety over the adventure and decided to turn around and tackle it another day in better conditions.

We made it as far as Melintao peak.. a beautiful run/hike in and of itself own with spectacular views of the Lefka Ori. In total 14 miles and 4.000ft of elevation gain.