Tripiti - Volakias - Katsaromoura
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 41.56 mi
- Elevation gain
- 17,162 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 17,333 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,951 ft
- TrailRank
- 76
- Min elevation
- -52 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Coordinates
- 8995
- Uploaded
- September 7, 2015
- Recorded
- September 2015
near Soúgia, Crete (Greece)
Viewed 14599 times, downloaded 318 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
For me, two factors were crucial in the realization of the tour:
1) I found water at Voukilasi. I did not intend to leave Sougia with a full load of water, like I had done in 2011 heading to Agia Roumeli, so I simply... committed me to good luck;
2) I had bought the Anavasi 1:30.000 sheet Samaria-Sougia-Paleohora. This well-researched map reports the ridge itinerary dubbing it as "long and difficult route with no clear path. A good sense of route finding is needed". But, even more importantly, it is very accurate in the surroundings of the ascent's key point, namely, when it is time to abandon the stony ground of the valley and to gain the sharp "buttress" separating an east (major) branch, heading to the Kokkinavari col, from a north (slightly secondary) branch, heading towards the col above Linoseli. This section, comprised above 900 and 1100 metres, is the most delicate of the whole tour: do not expect difficult rock passages, but be prepared to cope with some exposed traversals on tricky terrain. Luckily some well-placed cairns help you not feeling too lost in this wonderfully isolated place.
The saddle above Linoseli is the point where one reaches the main watershed and, on it, the safe path from Omalos to the Gingilos, which I first followed in 1993, after escaping an unpleasantly crowded Samaria gorge. I need to do the classical Samaria tour one day!
As far as the bulk of the itinerary is concerned, the start lies at Tripiti beach, which has to be reached from Sougia... Those wanting to avoid the access and/or the return march may be interested in knowing that there is Captain George in Sougia offering a boat-taxi service to this and many other spots of the surrounding coast. You find signposts with his telephone numbers in many places, including Sougia and Tripiti beach itself.
Waypoints
Wilderness hut
4 ft
Sougia
To begin, follow the E4 path out of Sougia. A mark if found on the shore right east of the village.
Fountain
0 ft
Voukilasi spring
Little below the col, this is the only source along the E4 path between Souglia and Agia Roumeli.
Mountain pass
972 ft
Col above Tripiti
Wonderful place, with the ruined Turkish fortress and the short path to Profitis Ilias
Religious site
0 ft
Profitis Ilias Tripitis
One of the most fascinating places on the southern coast of Creta.
Beach
Waypoint
0 ft
Obstacle
This stone is the only serious obstacle which has to be turned around in the gorge.
Waypoint
0 ft
Start of climb
Here one leaves the valley, starting to climb the buttress that rises between its two main branches.
Panorama
Wilderness hut
0 ft
Metato Tzatzimou
This almost inaccessible shepherd hut is more easily reached from above. I found some work in progress, especially at the big water cistern.
Mountain pass
0 ft
Col above Linoseli
Here the Tripiti adventure is finished, because one reaches the safe path ascending the Gingilos from Omalos.
Fountain
4,873 ft
Linoseli
The best water of Crete!! Little down in direction Omalos one also find a big cave that can be used as a shelter.
Summit
0 ft
Volakias
Highest summit of the Lefka Ori west of Samaria, and highest point of the present trail.
Summit
0 ft
Psiristra
Thanks to its eccentric position is a wonderful viewpoint over Samaria. Only the Zaranokefala on the other side stands out at the same level.
Summit
0 ft
Kokkinavari top
Perhaps the most beautiful spot on the ridge Volakias - Katsaromoura. The mountain seems aerial, but poses no difficulty.
Waypoint
0 ft
Around the Kouvara
The Kouvara, next summit after Kokkinavari, can be better avoided remaining on the W side and regaining the ridge immediately after.
Summit
0 ft
Katsaromoura
The cornerstone of the whole ridge, after which a steep descent begins, in direction SW, to the coast.
Waypoint
1,020 ft
Bivac place
I chose to rest here instead of trying the last steep stretch in dim light. This is also a panoramic place.
Intersection
Cave
Comments (13)
You can add a comment or review this trail
impressive!
Yes, both the gorge and - even more - the ridge are impressively beautiful.
Cheers, Alberto.
Great! Well done!
Of course by foot!
Hi Alberto, thanks for sharing this trail! I'm planning on following it this weekend (Sat-Mon) and was wondering what the duration of the hike was for you. Was it a single day hike, or did you camp somewhere at night? Thanks!
No, you need to camp
1) on the beach at the end of the Tripiti gorge, in order to have an early morning start, knowing that the gorge is long and by no means trivial;
2) on the mountain (I chose a cave in the vicinity of Linoseli)
3) probably, one more time on the beach, if you have not arranged a return to Sougia by boat.
Of course, you can avoid the third camping also descending the ridge quickly and without stops.
Up to now, I know of people who have followed separately the upward half (namely, the gorge) and the downward half (the ridge). Please let me know if you complete the whole loop!
Hi Alberto. Many thanks for posting it. I will try the loop but starting from Omalos; I will let you know once I do it. Do you live in Crete? If so it would be nice meeting you for a coffee and share experiences.
No, I like Crete a lot but I live in Northern Italy, in the vicinity of the Dolomites.
Let me know about your experience with the loop.
I think that it is one of the best things that one can do in Crete.
Cheers,
Alberto.
I will let you know. Btw, have you been to Gavdos? Easy in terms of hiking but the place is amazing, magical, a paradise. Saluti.
Alberto.
For the next visit...
Wow, what a route! I hope to complete that one day. Well done!
Hello Alberto. Thanks for this fantastic review well documented. Great work because there is not alot information about this great Tripiti Gorge and not at all about the ridge your follow to go down to the sea ... Hope to do it soon. Thanks for the trace.