White mountains in Chania - Lefka Ori West Crete. Lefka Ori (Greek: Λευκά Όρη, meaning "White Mountains") or “Madares” is a mountain range located in Western Crete, in Chania and Rethymno prefectures. The White Mountains or Lefka Ori occupy a good part of the centre of West Crete and are the main feature of the region. They are mainly made of limestone, granite and dolomite. The "White Mountains" are covered with snow until late in the spring, giving rise to their name.

The highest summit is Pachnes (2453m) and there are over 30 summits that are over 2000 m. high. The Lefka Ori also have about 50 gorges, the most famous being the Samaria Gorge. Another characteristic of the mountain range is the plateau of Omalos which is a round plain surrounded by mountains, at an altitude of 1100 m.

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

Pachnes (meaning "fatso") is the second tallest peak in Crete, after Mount Ida (meaning "seen"), which is also known as "Psiloritis" (which is translated as "smooth" or "treeless") and the 10th in Greece.

There are only a few main roads leading into the White Mountains: the roads to Omalos and the entrance of the Samaria Gorge and the road to Chora Sfakion through the plateau of Askifou in the east. West of Omalos ds roads to Sougia and to Paleochora. There are also a few dirt roads leading to higher altitudes.

The central and southern part of the Lefka Ori lying at an altitude of 1800 m and above resembles a "moon landscape". This is technically called a high desert. It is unique in the northern hemisphere.

White Mountains White Mountains White Mountains - Samaria Gorge

There are 4 refuges in Lefka Ori. The Volikas Refuge was built in 1958. It is located above the village Kampi Keramion, at an altitude of 1.450 meters. It can accommodate up to 30 persons. The Kallergi Refuge was built in 1970. Its altitude is 1.650 meters and it can accommodate 45 persons. It is located 5 km from Omalos. The Tavris Refuge was built in 1992 and it is located near Ammoudari, 7,5 km from Askyfou, at 1.200 meters. It can accommodate up to 45 persons. The Svourichti Refuge was built in 1994. It’s located 7 hours from Anopolis at 1.980 m. and it can accommodate 20 persons.

The Lefka Ori has a rich history as a hiding place for rebels during Cretan uprisings against the Venetian and Ottoman rulers, as well as during German Occupation (1941-1945).

The Lefka Ori are home to both of Greece's caves with depths greater than one kilometer, Gourgouthakas and the Cave of the Lion.

White Mountains - Samaria Gorge White Mountains - Samaria Gorge White Mountains - Samaria Gorge

White Mountains 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

• Mountains
• Gorges
• Accommodation
• Beaches
• Other

Potamida: Komolithi geological phenomenon Chania West Crete

Giouchtas - Yiouchtas hill in Archanes Heraklion

Tenda in Palekastro, East Crete

Votomos lake in Zaros, Central Crete

Tower of Alidakis - Emprosneros Chania

Koudoumas Forest in Asterousia Mountains

Agora, the Market Street Heraklion City, Crete

Rodopou Peninsula or Spathi in Chania, West Crete

The Traditional routes

Tavri mountain shelter in Lefka Ori

Asterousia: The other Crete!

Samaria National Park 1962

Pachnes summit in White mountains

Botanical sights by Elos - Topolia - Sassalos - Agios Dikaios

Mount Kedros - Rethimno

Galiano gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Fygous Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Imbros Gorge in Chania, West Crete

The gorge Klados in Sfakia, Chania, South Crete

Kandanos Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Kato Poros gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Margarites gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Lissos Gorge in West Crete

Asfendos Gorge in West Crete

Arkadi gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Diktamos gorge in Chania west Crete

Tripiti gorge or Trypiti in South Crete Hania

Agia Irini Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Patsos gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Sfakiano gorge in Sfakia, west Crete

Stochos apartments in Agia Galini, Rethimno

Silde apartments in Chania, West Crete

Ilios apartments in Maleme Chania

Anemos apartments in Rethimno, West Crete

Delta studios and apartments in Chania West Crete

Manolis Rooms in Paleochora, West Crete

Anidri Beach and Paleochora area in Chania, west Crete

Orthi Ammos Beach by Fragokastello, Chania, west Crete

Filaki Beach by Chora Sfakion, west Crete

Glaros Beach in Chania, west Crete

Ravdoucha Beach in Rodopou Chania, west Crete

Aspri Limni Beach by Elafonisi Chania

Kalamaki - Galatas Beach in Chania, west Crete

Gialiskari Beach and Paleochora area in Chania, west Crete

Pachia ammos Beach and Paleochora area in Chania, west Crete

Fragokastello Beach by Chania, west Crete

Kera Beach by Kalives Chania

Phoenix Beach by Loutro area in Chania, west Crete

Marmara Beach by Loutro area in Chania, west Crete

Tersanas Beach in Chania, west Crete

Kalivaki Beach in Georgioupolis in Chania, west Crete

Stroumboulas plateau in Heraklion

Sitanos Plateau by Sitia

Livadi plateau in Kroussonas

Evdomo plateau in Tilissos

Lasithi Plateau, East Crete

Omalos - Simi - Viannos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Katharo plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Krapi plateau in the White mountains

Vothonas plateau in Chania

Gious Kambos plateau in Rethymno

Anopolis plateau in Sfakia mountains

Askifou plateau in the White mountains

Omalos plateau in the White mountains

Vromonero plateau in Kroussonas

Tavri and Niatos plateau in Askifou