The Crete sea shores are endless and all the big Cretan cities are situated at the sea-side. Still, the Cretan soul - especially if we talk about the residents of Chania - is in the highlands! We'll understand easily why it is so if we look over the history of Crete.

For ages there were many intruders who tried to conquer the proud nation.  They had their fortresses and their entities near the sea, where they could communicate easily with their mother cities but also to run away quickly in the case of a danger. But in the inaccessible high mountains, the Cretans were breathing the air of freedom. There, they kept their language, their customs and traditions, their way of life.

Especially in Chania, Madara or the White Mountains, besides the refuge of freedom has always been the source of life for the Chania residents. The multiform natural environment gave food, water, raw materials and inspiration to the proud Cretan soul. There are more than 50 peaks higher than 2000 meters in Madara - this is how the Chaniots call the White Mountains - as well as countless gorges and cliffs which make you hold your breath, a unique view to the both sides of Crete, to the Cretan Sea but to the Libyan Sea as well. If you want to discover the authentic Crete, your way lies through the rugged trails of Madara!

It won't be that difficult, though. With a little help from the Chania Climbers Society, you can do it! There are four refuges here and there in the White Mountains, as well as many hospitable villages! The Chania Climbers Society has existed for eighty years now and has been one of the oldest nature lovers organizations in Greece and the oldest one in Crete. It has experienced guides and climbers, and with its actions it protects the mountain groups of the region and helps the permanent residents, as well as visitors who want to discover the mountainous Crete.

There are four refuges in the White Mountains, the mountains near Chania. The oldest of them was built in 1958 and is situated on the Volika site, above the Kampi Keramion village, on the altitude of 1450 meters. It was renovated in 2006 and can accomodate up to 30 persons.

Another refuge, which is the most popular due to the unique view to the Samaria gorge, is called "Kallergi" and is situated on the altitude of 1650 meters, above the Omalos glen. The path that will take you to it starts from the Xiloskalo, in the entrance of the Samaria gorge. This refuge boasts a thrilling view: White Mountains peaks (covered with snow in winter), all-green sidehills of Samaria, the Omalos glen. It can lodge up 45 persons.

The third Chania refuge is situated above the Tavri glen and the Askifu village, on the altitutde of 1200 meters. It is easily reached by the 8 km farmers' road. Of course it's better to walk there, at least one part of the wonderful part which starts from the Askifu village and goes up to Tavri, through a cypress forest. This route will take you about 2 hours.

The last refuge (Katsiveli shelter) is the newest and the highest one in Chania. It's situated in the center of the White Mountains, under the Svurichti peak, 2080 meters above the sea. To reach it, you'll have to walk for about 6-7 hours from the Kallergi refuge or 3 hours after the end of the country road which starts from the Anopoli village, in the Roussies district. This refuge may lodge up to 20 people.
For more information, Chania Climbers Society, tel.: 00302821044647

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Cretaquarium - water museum in Gournes Heraklion, Crete

Sintrivani Plateau in Chania

Giali Tzamisi, Ottoman Historical sites in Chania

Lighthouse in Elafonisi, Chania

Psiloritis, the History

Agios Nikitas palm forest

Cape Lithino in South Crete

Potami lake in Amari, Central Crete

Kournas lake in Georgioupolis

The Dominican Temple of Agios Nikolaos, Chania

Kedrodasos Cedar Forest in Chania

The Venetian port in Chania

25 August St in Heraklion City, Crete

The Heraklion Venetian walls

Samaria National Park 1962

Theriso Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Lissos Gorge in West Crete

Samaria gorge in Chania region

Fygous Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Galiano gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Mili or Myli gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Patsos gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Diktamos gorge in Chania west Crete

Katholiko gorge in Akrotiri, west Crete

Tripiti gorge or Trypiti in South Crete Hania

The gorge Klados in Sfakia, Chania, South Crete

Sfakiano gorge in Sfakia, west Crete

Moundros or Velonado gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Kandanos Gorge - Spina gorge

Topolia Gorge in Kisamos, Kasteli West Crete

Ilios apartments in Maleme Chania

Silde apartments in Chania, West Crete

Delta studios and apartments in Chania West Crete

Anemos apartments in Rethimno, West Crete

Stochos apartments in Agia Galini, Rethimno

Manolis Rooms in Paleochora, West Crete

Kavros or Kournas Beach in Georgioupolis in Chania, west Crete

Gerani Beach in Chania, west Crete

Kolimbari Beach in Chania, west Crete

Kedrodasos Beach and natural beauties in Chania, west Crete

Keramoti Beach and natural beauties in Chania, west Crete

Koutelos Beach in Fragokastelo

Golden Beach in Chania, west Crete

Fournoti Beach by Lefka Ori

Agios Ioannis Beach by Gavdos Island

Vrisses Beach by Hora Sfakion, west Crete

Fragokastello Beach by Chania, west Crete

Gialiskari Beach and Paleochora area in Chania, west Crete

Lissos Beach by Sougia

Almirida Beach and Village in Chania, west Crete

Loutro Beach in Chania

Evdomo plateau in Tilissos

Erganos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Tavri and Niatos plateau in Askifou

Askifou plateau in the White mountains

Krapi plateau in the White mountains

Ziros - Chandras plateau by Sitia, East Crete

Livadi plateau in Kroussonas

Omalos plateau in the White mountains

Lapathos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Lasithi Plateau, East Crete

Omalos - Simi - Viannos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Paranimfi and Mournia Plateaus, Asterousia

Vothonas plateau in Chania

Nida plateau in the Idi mountains

Limnakaro Plateau by Lassithi Mountains