The high and rugged mountains of Crete span its entire length, forming three different ranges. One of these ranges, known as Lefka Ori, is famous for the plateau of Omalos, a circular plain surrounded by green, rounded mountains. For centuries the Omalos plateau was a strategic base for Cretan revolutionaries fighting invading armies.

But the Omalos plateau was also the site of more peaceful activities. With its remarkably fertile soil, which in the springtime is blanketed in grasses and wild herbs, the Omalos plateau was a favorite place for stockbreeding. Stockbreeders would drive herds of goats and sheep to Omalos's verdant plains to feast on dittany and oregano, setting up camp for months at a time on the vast, empty stretches. There they lived lonely lives, with only a small camp fire and a few songs remembered from home to keep them company through the long nights on the plateau.

This fertile plateau used to grow copious quantities of vegetables, fruit, cereals and potatoes that didn't grow very well in the warm climate at sea level. Today the local still grow a bountiful supply of apples in this tepid climate with trees all around in abundance. The plateau is also important for transporting sheep the farmers bring them from lower winter pastures to the 'Madhares' the higher parts of the White Mountains in the spring, and return them prior to the winter months.

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Hiking from Fygous gorge (the north part of Agia Irini Gorge) to Omalos Plateau:

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More White Mountains (and Omalos) images:

White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains

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Livadi plateau in Kroussonas

Omalos - Simi - Viannos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Vothonas plateau in Chania

Asfendou plateau in the White mountains

Vromonero plateau in Kroussonas

Kallikratis plateau in Chania, West Crete

Sitanos Plateau by Sitia

Nissimos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Erganos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Anopolis plateau in Sfakia mountains

Katharo plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Gious Kambos plateau in Rethymno

Nida plateau in the Idi mountains

Ziros - Chandras plateau by Sitia, East Crete

Stroumboulas plateau in Heraklion

Kallikratis gorge in Sfakia, west Crete

Prasano gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Asfendos Gorge in West Crete

Kandanos Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Galiano gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Rokka Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Kato Poros gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Margarites gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Imbros Gorge in Chania, West Crete

The gorge Klados in Sfakia, Chania, South Crete

Sfakiano gorge in Sfakia, west Crete

Lissos Gorge in West Crete

Fygous Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Arkadi gorge in Rethimno west Crete

The Gorge of Elygia or Eligia, East of Samaria gorge

Manolis Rooms in Paleochora, West Crete

Delta studios and apartments in Chania West Crete

Silde apartments in Chania, West Crete

Ilios apartments in Maleme Chania

Maheri village in Apokoronas, Chania, West Crete

Fournes in Chania, west Crete traditional villages

Tzitzifes, Chania - Apokoronas West Crete Villages

Elos village by Kissamos

Kaina village in Apokoronas, Chania, West Crete

Alones Village by Rethimno, Central Crete

Velonado Village by Rethimno, Central Crete

Spina Village, Paleohora, west Crete traditional villages

Vouta Village, Paleohora, west Crete traditional villages

Archontiko Village, Paleohora, west Crete traditional villages

Kastri Village in Gavdos Island

Skafi in Sougia-Chania, west Crete traditional villages

Perivolia in Chania, west Crete traditional villages

Vilandredo Village by Rethimno, Central Crete

Gavalochori village in Apokoronas, Chania, West Crete

Agia Triada Monastery, West Crete Akrotiri, Chania

Moni Monastery, Ano Viannos

Exakoustis Monastery in Malles, Ierapetra

Kyra Eleousa Monastery, Gouves, Heraklion

Agia Irini Monastery, Krousonas Heraklion Crete

Metamorfosis Monastery in Nispitas, Neapolis

Faneromenis Sitia Monastery in East Crete

Assomaton monastery in Rethimno. Cretan history

Preveli Monastery in Plakias Rethimno West Crete

Panagia Koumpelidiki Monastery in Neapolis

Holy Apostles Monastery in Karkasa Anatoli, Ierapetra

Azogires Monastery, West Crete Paleochora

Panagia Monastery in Gourni, Ierapetra

Pazino Monastery, West Crete Akrotiri, Chania

Vrontisiou Monastery, Zaros Central Crete