Tripiti - Volakias - Katsaromoura

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, whe 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 non 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 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.

Photos: WORK IN PROGRESS!