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Tripiti - Volakias - Katsaromoura

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Photo ofTripiti - Volakias - Katsaromoura Photo ofTripiti - Volakias - Katsaromoura Photo ofTripiti - Volakias - Katsaromoura

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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 14758 times, downloaded 320 times

Trail photos

Photo ofTripiti - Volakias - Katsaromoura Photo ofTripiti - Volakias - Katsaromoura Photo ofTripiti - Volakias - Katsaromoura

Itinerary description

According to my opinion, this is the most complete and beautiful tour that can be done in the Lefka Ori, and thus in the mountains of Creta. Namely, although the mountains west of Samaria are somewhat lower than those on the other side, they feature the Tripiti gorge, which is the most hidden and complex among those descending from the massif. Climbing the 2116 m Volakias from the sea shore through it results in a significant experience: a long walk, but always accompanied by a tremendous variety of landscapes. The job becomes truly complete when on descends via the long and panoramic ridge Volakias - Kokkinavari - Katsaromoura, where one feels suspended between the Tripiti and the Klados gorges.
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.

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Waypoints

Photo ofSougia Photo ofSougia Photo ofSougia

Sougia

To begin, follow the E4 path out of Sougia. A mark if found on the shore right east of the village.

PictographFountain Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofVoukilasi spring Photo ofVoukilasi spring Photo ofVoukilasi spring

Voukilasi spring

Little below the col, this is the only source along the E4 path between Souglia and Agia Roumeli.

PictographMountain pass Altitude 972 ft
Photo ofCol above Tripiti Photo ofCol above Tripiti Photo ofCol above Tripiti

Col above Tripiti

Wonderful place, with the ruined Turkish fortress and the short path to Profitis Ilias

Photo ofProfitis Ilias Tripitis Photo ofProfitis Ilias Tripitis Photo ofProfitis Ilias Tripitis

Profitis Ilias Tripitis

One of the most fascinating places on the southern coast of Creta.

PictographBeach Altitude 89 ft
Photo ofTripiti beach Photo ofTripiti beach Photo ofTripiti beach

Tripiti beach

The exit of the gorge, featuring also a little beach.

Photo ofAgios Nikolaos Photo ofAgios Nikolaos Photo ofAgios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos

A church hidden below an overhang not far from the beach

PictographWaypoint Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofObstacle Photo ofObstacle Photo ofObstacle

Obstacle

This stone is the only serious obstacle which has to be turned around in the gorge.

PictographWaypoint Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofStart of climb Photo ofStart of climb Photo ofStart of climb

Start of climb

Here one leaves the valley, starting to climb the buttress that rises between its two main branches.

PictographPanorama Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofCentral buttress Photo ofCentral buttress Photo ofCentral buttress

Central buttress

Photo ofMetato Tzatzimou Photo ofMetato Tzatzimou

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.

PictographFountain Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofPano Nero

Pano Nero

This water seemed to be suitable only for animals.

Photo ofCol above Linoseli Photo ofCol above Linoseli Photo ofCol above Linoseli

Col above Linoseli

Here the Tripiti adventure is finished, because one reaches the safe path ascending the Gingilos from Omalos.

PictographSummit Altitude 6,470 ft
Photo ofGingilos Photo ofGingilos

Gingilos

The most popular summit above Omalos. For the 360° see also PPH

PictographFountain Altitude 4,873 ft
Photo ofLinoseli Photo ofLinoseli Photo ofLinoseli

Linoseli

The best water of Crete!! Little down in direction Omalos one also find a big cave that can be used as a shelter.

PictographSummit Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofVolakias Photo ofVolakias Photo ofVolakias

Volakias

Highest summit of the Lefka Ori west of Samaria, and highest point of the present trail.

PictographSummit Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofPsiristra Photo ofPsiristra Photo ofPsiristra

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.

Photo ofKokkinavari col Photo ofKokkinavari col Photo ofKokkinavari col

Kokkinavari col

PictographSummit Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofKokkinavari top Photo ofKokkinavari top Photo ofKokkinavari top

Kokkinavari top

Perhaps the most beautiful spot on the ridge Volakias - Katsaromoura. The mountain seems aerial, but poses no difficulty.

PictographWaypoint Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofAround the Kouvara Photo ofAround the Kouvara

Around the Kouvara

The Kouvara, next summit after Kokkinavari, can be better avoided remaining on the W side and regaining the ridge immediately after.

PictographSummit Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofKatsaromoura Photo ofKatsaromoura Photo ofKatsaromoura

Katsaromoura

The cornerstone of the whole ridge, after which a steep descent begins, in direction SW, to the coast.

PictographWaypoint Altitude 1,020 ft
Photo ofBivac place Photo ofBivac place Photo ofBivac place

Bivac place

I chose to rest here instead of trying the last steep stretch in dim light. This is also a panoramic place.

PictographPanorama Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofAerial view Photo ofAerial view Photo ofAerial view

Aerial view

Wonderful view down to Agios Nikolaos and the end of the Tripiti gorge.

PictographBeach Altitude -43 ft
Photo ofSedoni beach Photo ofSedoni beach Photo ofSedoni beach

Sedoni beach

PictographIntersection Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofFork to Cyclopes cave Photo ofFork to Cyclopes cave Photo ofFork to Cyclopes cave

Fork to Cyclopes cave

PictographCave Altitude 962 ft
Photo ofPolyfemos cave Photo ofPolyfemos cave Photo ofPolyfemos cave

Polyfemos cave

Can be reached with a deviation of 30-40 min from the E4 path.

Comments  (13)

  • Photo of robert outram
    robert outram Sep 11, 2015

    impressive!

  • Photo of Alberto Pedrotti
    Alberto Pedrotti Sep 12, 2015

    Yes, both the gorge and - even more - the ridge are impressively beautiful.
    Cheers, Alberto.

  • simon-1978 Sep 16, 2015

    Great! Well done!

  • Photo of Alberto Pedrotti
    Alberto Pedrotti Dec 26, 2015

    Of course by foot!

  • Photo of FunkyPajamas
    FunkyPajamas Feb 15, 2018

    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!

  • Photo of Alberto Pedrotti
    Alberto Pedrotti Feb 16, 2018

    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.

  • Photo of Alberto Pedrotti
    Alberto Pedrotti Feb 25, 2018

    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!

  • cronopio69 Jun 9, 2018

    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.

  • Photo of Alberto Pedrotti
    Alberto Pedrotti Jun 10, 2018

    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.

  • cronopio69 Jun 12, 2018

    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.

  • Photo of Alberto Pedrotti
    Alberto Pedrotti Jun 12, 2018

    For the next visit...

  • Jayhickson Apr 26, 2019

    Wow, what a route! I hope to complete that one day. Well done!

  • Photo of Fantastic Crete
    Fantastic Crete Apr 5, 2020

    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.

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