Caves-Caverns-Speleology

Many experts often refer to West Crete as a "region of caverns". By the latest official account (1999), cavers recorded 1503 caves, only in the general region of Hania! Most of them, apart from their natural beauty, have a touch of historical flavor: In different times -some as early as the first inhabits of the island-they used to be religious and ceremony grounds. In more recent years, they were used as hideouts and partisan bases. At the location of "Atzines", in the foothills of the Lefka Ori Mountains, close to the village of Melidoni in the district of Apokorona  , was discovered in 1990 - and fully explored by 1998 - the deepest cavern in Greece, the famous Gourgouthakas, 1208 meters (3965 feet) deep!

Other caverns of interest are:

• Samona in the mountain region of Apokorona, with its beautiful flowstone and stalactite.
• The "Bear Cavern" or "Arkoudspilio" and the cavern of Saint John, both at small distance from the monastery of Gouvernetuat Akrotiri  .
• Kouroupido of Kokkino Horio at Apokorona.
• Drakolaki  in Anopolis - Aradena in the region of Sfakia.
• Tzanni at Omalo.

For further information read: Anthony Plimaki "Caves of Hania", published by the author. Easily found in all bookstores of Hania.

Gorges (National Parks)

In the district of Hania, in all National Parks, according to the Greek legislation, all human activity except visitation is prohibited. These parks are:

• The Gorge of Samaria, one of the largest in Europe, with 18 kilometers (11 miles) in length and 300 to merely 3 meters (1000 to only 10 feet) in width. In its unique landscape and beauty, many native species of wildlife find refuge, for example the well-known Cretan wild goat, "Kri Kri". The gorge can be visited from May to September. (Strictly prohibited, at all times, are camping, overnight staying and any kind of fire).
• The Gorge of Aghia Irini  , rich in flora and fauna.

The gorge begins from the village of Aghia Irini in the area of Selinouand ends at the village of Sougia overlooking the Libyan Sea . The length of the gorge is 7 kilometers (4,4 miles). It can be visited almost all year round.

For more information contact:

- Greek Mountaineering Club of Hania , Tzanakaki 90 street, tel. 0030 2821044647 .
- Forest Department , tel. 0030 2821092287 .
- National Park Resort of Samaria , tel. 0030 2821067179.
- National Park Resort of Aghia Roumeli , tel. 0030 2825091254 .
- Trekking Guide: Dimitris Batsakis. Tel. 0030 28210 28603, mobile: 6932 182 200.

Mountain Climbing-Resorts

Famous for their natural beauty and wide variety of alternative routes, the Lefka Ori Mountains offer a number of resorts that can be used for rest or as bases for those who love nature walks and mountain climbing. These are:

• Volikas, a three-hour walk from the village of Kambi Keramion
  , at 1450 meters (4850 feet) altitude.
  Can fully accommodate up to 30 individuals.
• Kalergi , 5 kilometers (3 miles) or 1,5 hour walk from Omalo, at 1650 meters (5500 feet) altitude. Can fully accommodate 45 individuals.
• Tavris a 7,5 kilometer (4,7 miles) or 2 hours walk from Amoudari of the
  

  Rock Climbing
  plateau of Askifouat Sfakia, at 1200 meters (4000 feet) altitude.
  Can fully accommodate 45 individuals and is also equipped with camping sites for children and senior citizens.
• Svourihtis, a 7 hour walk or a 2,5 hours drive with an off-road vehicle from Anopoli of Sfakia, at 1980 meters altitude. Can fully accommodate 20 individuals.

For more information:
Greek Mountaineering Club of Hania, 90 Tzanakaki str. Tel. 0030 2821044647, fax. 0030 28210 54903, www.eoshanion.gr .

Rock Climbing

Recommended paths:

• Kalathas -Akrotiri: climbing ramp next to the sea at Akrotiri, about 30 courses, with difficult level from IV to VII.
• Stavros -Akrotiri: six paths with difficult levels from V to VII.
• Gigilos at the summit of the Lefka Ori above Samaria: 15 paths with difficult levels from V to VII.
• Therisos: above the gorge of Therisos, with difficult levels from V to VII.

For more information:
Hellenic Mountaineering Club of Hania, 90 Tzanakaki str., Tel. 0030 2821044647, www.eoshanion.gr

Aqua Sports

Concentrated mostly in Platania, Gerani, Maleme and Aghia Marina, are many of the athletic clubs that can provide access, gear and tutoring in water sports, as sailing, windsurfing, water-ski, diving, sea bananas or sea parachuting.

For more information:
Harbor Authorities: tel. 28210 98888

Associations

Nautical Club of Hania: tel. +3028210 96078
Yacht Club of Hania: tel. +3028210 40265

Private Schools

Blue Adventures Diving: +3028210 40608 - 40403
Cretan Diving Center: +3028210 93355 - 81726

Air Navigation

The Flying Club of Hania is a highly active club. It possesses 4 aircrafts, a Pilot School and prepares to get involved in additional activities like a Parachuting School, Air Modeling, Gliders and Ultra Light Aircrafts. Also programmed is the future use of the airport of Maleme for all the above activities. President of the Flying Club is Mr. Kosmas Kimionis, tel: 6972 702900.

Their website is worth visiting for further information and a chance to see Hania from high above: www.aer.gr  

Downhill Paragliding

Due to the distinctiveness of the landscape of the prefecture of Hania, there are many alternatives that can be taken advantage of. The landscape provides as many hillsides as the mood of any wind blowing. Some of these are:

• The area of Nea Hora, just a little way out of the city of Hania .
• The plateau of Omalo at the resort of Kalergi, 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Hania.
• The coast of Falassarna to the west, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Hania.
• The Plateau of Askifou in the region of Sfakia.
• Above the lake of Kourna, 48 kilometers (30 miles) from Hania, on the route to Rethimno.
• Varipetro Kidonias near the lake of Agias, approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Hania.

E4 Hiking path in the district of Hania

The pan-European hiking path E4, begins from the Pyrenees, cuts through the Alps and descends into Greece, continues its course into Crete, with its starting point in the west of the prefecture of Hania, at Kasteli, and ends at the community of Zakros in the prefecture of Lasithi, to the east. The whole concept and philosophy behind E4 is to give the opportunity to the individual to traverse mountains, gorges and remote villages, discovering and enjoying authentic nature and life. In the general area of the prefecture of Hania, the path of E4 is in many ways, if not entirely, a voyage of discovery into the very soul of Crete . It runs through its famous gorges and its unique landscapes, and touches its people at their most authentic moments.

Suggested routes based on remarks given by the Hellenic Mountaineering Club of Hania are:

• The Route Kissamos -Sfinari
  Total Length: 22 km. (13,6 miles),
  Level of Difficulty: Low.
  Passable country roads, ideal for mountain bike, motorcycle or automobile .
  Best Season to Visit: Spring and Autumn
  Approximate Walking Distance: 6,5 hours
   
• 
  The Route Sfinari - Moni Chrisoskalitissas
  Total Length: 32 km. (19,8 miles)
  Level of Difficulty: None
  Best Season to Visit: Spring and Autumn
  Approximate Walking Distance: 8 hours.
  
  
  
• 
  The Route Moni Chrisoskalitisa - Paleohora
  Total Length: 22 km. (13,6 miles)
  Level of Difficultly: Low on passable footpaths and country roads.
  (You must have a fair amount of water with you)
  Best Season to Visit: Spring and Autumn
  Approximate Walking Distance: 7 hours
  
  
• The Route Paleohora - Sougia
  Total Length: 14,5 km. (9 miles)
  Level of Difficulty: Medium
  (You must have a fair amount of water with you)
  Best Season to Visit: Spring and Autumn
  Approximate Walking Distance: 6 hours
  
  
• 
  The Route Sougia - Gorge of Aghia Irini
  Total Length: 20 km. (12 miles)
  Level of Difficultly: Medium to Difficult
  (ATTENTION! You must hold a fair amount of water with you)
  Best Season to Visit: From April to October
  Approximate Walking Distance: 8 hours
  
  
  
• 
  The Route Omalos - Aghia Roumeli
  (Via the gorge of Samaria)
  Total Length: 23 km. (14,2 miles) .
  Level of Difficultly: Low .
  Best Season to Visit: From May to October
  Approximate Walking Distance: 7 hours
  
  
  
• The Route Omalos - Askifu .
  (Via the Lefka Ori / White Mountains)
  Total Length: 35 km. (21,7 miles)
  Level of Difficultly: Extremely Difficult! Passing through high altitude bare regions. (ATTENTION! Requires efficient amount of drinking water).
  Best Season to Visit: From May to September.
  Approximate Walking Distance: 18,5 hours
  (Omalos -Kalergi resort 3 hours, Kalergi resort -Melindaou crest 3,5 hours, Melindaou crest -Svourichti resort 4,5 hours, Svourichti resort -Tavris resort 7 hours, Tavris resort -Askifu 1 hour 15 min.)
  
  
  
• The Route Askifu - Imbros - Fragokastelo.
  Total Length: 19 km (11,8 miles) .
  Level of Difficultly: Low
  Best Season to Visit: From May to October.
  Approximate Walking Distance: 6,5 hours
  
  
  
• 
  The Route Sougia - Ahgia Roumeli.
  Total Length: 20 km. (12 miles) .
  Level of Difficultly: Extremely Difficult!
  (ATTENTION! Requires efficient amount of drinking water!)
  Best Season to Visit: From April to September
  Approximate Walking Distance: 8 to 9 hours
  
  
• 
  Total Length: 13 km. (8 miles)
  Level of Difficulty: Low
  (You must have a fair amount of water with you)
  Best Season to Visit: From September to the end of May
  Approximate Walking Distance: 4 to 5 hours
  
  
  
• The Route Loutro - Fragokastelo.
  Total Length: 19,5 km.
  Level of Difficultly: Low.
  Best Season to Visit: All year.
  Approximate Walking Distances: 6,5 -7 hours
  
  
• 
  The Route Fragokastelo -Kalikrati -Asi Gonia
  Total Length: 18 km. (11 miles)
  Level of Difficulty: Low. Passable footpaths and country roads
  Best Season to Visit: From April to October
  Approximate Walking Distances: 6.5 hours
  
  

For your best safety, we recommend that you enjoy the above routes of E4 with organized trekking groups and the help of a professional trekking guide.
For more information, please contact a tourist agency that organizes such excursions.
Trekking Guide: Dimitris Batsakis tel. 0030 28210 28603, mobile 6932 182 200