Taking the E4 trail from Fourfouras village I was obstinate and the next morning I started at 9.30am in Fourfouras, taking the trans-European E4 walking trail. I thought I could do the hike in 1 day, but for sure (I could get lost) I took my jacket, some food, extra water and a beach-towel with me to spend the night on the mountain.

The beginning of the E4 trail was signed very clearly and followed a dusty path through olive-orchards. But after half an hour the vegetation and soil were arid and dry. Including me. After reaching a fitted basin the E4 signed me to get of the path and ascend a steep slope. From that moment the trail became bad; I couldn't find the signs that easy and a few signs were missing.

From now on the trail was most of the time not more than just a little animal-track between other animal-tracks and many times I asked myself if I was just on the trail. But the view at Fourfouras and the valleys were excellent. The vegetation consisted of little thorny plants, which were pricking me many times, and a few whimsical trees.

A common raven (raaf) was screeching and 3 vultures (vale gieren) were circling high in the sky, probably waiting for me to give out. After taking a short break the trail went through a forest with very old ever-green oak-trees. 'Klinggg-kling...' I saw a goat walking with a bell on its neck which was larger than its head.

At 11.30 am I thought by myself I should never reach the top. For fun I went of the trails many times to climb a bit and to see the surroundings and the beautiful abyss. Then I saw fog coming upwards onto the slopes and two Eleonora's falcons flew over me within 5 meters. Usnea (baardmos) was hanging down from the branches of the whimsical oaks. It just looked like the set of a fairy-tale.

Then, I reached the fringe of the forest and the slopes were filled with stones and pieces of rocks, combined with a thorny vegetation. At 13.30 I was standing on a little snow. Down the snow, crocuses were flowering. Because of the heath I jumped in the snow and covered myself with it...Chilling!

The view was magnificent and many birds were fluting. A few Chuckar partridges (Aziatische steenpatrijzen) flew away and black-eared wheatears (blonde tapuiten) were inspecting the area on top of the rocks. The higher I came, the less vegetation there was. At 14.45 I'd almost reached the top. The wind was very cold and I put on my sweater. From here I had a wonderful view at the bare mountain-tops and the deep abyss. And finally at 15.00h I had reached the top, yeah!!!

What a magnificent view at the mountains, the country-sides, the little villages and the sea. The wind was blowing enormously. On the top there was a very little chapel, filled with snow. I said goodbye to a few Swedish people in pole-clothes and went down. Going down was harder than going up, because of holding your steps not to run or fall down. Finally at 18.30h I was back at my car and I was totally exhausted. That evening the restaurant was very pleased to have me as a guest...

Fourfouras area Fourfouras area Psiloritis Mt Psiloritis Mt

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Walking in Ziros-Chandras plateau

Hiking: Agia Roumeli - Agios Ioannis by south West Crete

Palekastro - Skinias - Karoumes gorge

Kavousi gorge Thripti mountains-Hiking in East Crete

Sitia East Crete Caves hiking : Agios Georgios-Katofigi

Palekastro - Petsofas peak - Skinias Gorge and Beach

Xerokambos - Agia Irini. Hiking in Zakros

Zakros Ziros, E4 path. Hiking in East Crete

Hiking: Omalos - Gingilos by Lefka Ori, West Crete

Doxaro Village - Vassakos Monastery

Krasi-Selena-Krasi. Hiking in Malia Heraklion

Paleochora - Anidri in Chania, West Crete

Hiking in Gavdos Island, SouthWest Crete

A Hike in Halazokefalas, Zaros

Krasi-Azilakos Forest-Malia. Hiking in Malia Heraklion

Delta studios and apartments in Chania West Crete

Anemos apartments in Rethimno, West Crete

Stochos apartments in Agia Galini, Rethimno

Ilios apartments in Maleme Chania

Silde apartments in Chania, West Crete

Manolis Rooms in Paleochora, West Crete

Agalianos or Agalianou Village by Rethimno, Central Crete

Profitis Elias or Ilias Village in Iraklion Central Crete

Elia in Heraklion, Central Crete

Littos or Lyttos Village in Kasteli, Iraklion Central Crete

Petrochori Village by Amari valley, Rethimno, Central Crete

Agies Paraskies Village in Iraklion Central Crete

Zoniana Village, Rethimno, Central Crete

Aidonochori Village in Tylisos

Agia Varvara in Heraklion, Central Crete

Ano Asites in Heraklion, Central Crete

Amari Village, Rethimno, Central Crete

Marathos Village in Tylisos

Pano & Kato Kasteliana in Messara Heraklion Central Crete

Stamni in Heraklion, Central Crete

Favriana Village in Messara Heraklion Central Crete

Mougri Cave, Rethimno

Arkoudiotissa Cave in Akrotiri, Chania

Leon Cave - Precipice in Fres, White mountains

Peristeras Caves in Karidi, Palekastro, East Crete

Kamares Cave in Psiloritis, Heraklion

Giouchtas Caves in Archanes, Heraklion

Psichro-Psychro Cave in Lassithi Pllateau, East Crete

Ideon Andron Cave in Heraklion

Oxo Latsida Cave in Sitanos Village, East Crete

Astraki Cave in Heraklion

Eileithyia Cave in Karteros, Heraklion

Drakoulaki Cave, Sfakia

Spiliara Cave in Astiraki

Cave of St John the Hermit, Akrotiri

Gergeri cave by Zaros, Central Crete

Livadi plateau in Kroussonas

Nissimos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Asfendou plateau in the White mountains

Evdomo plateau in Tilissos

Stroumboulas plateau in Heraklion

Omalos plateau in the White mountains

Lasithi Plateau, East Crete

Omalos - Simi - Viannos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Krapi plateau in the White mountains

Vromonero plateau in Kroussonas

Kallikratis plateau in Chania, West Crete

Katharo plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Anopolis plateau in Sfakia mountains

Askifou plateau in the White mountains

Sitanos Plateau by Sitia