Back to Crete for the seventh walk in Christian Peter’s series.
7. From Sougia to Agia Roumeli – Crete
a. One of the wildest and most difficult walks on Crete is the one along the coastline between Sougia and Agia Roumeli. But it is rewarding as it offers not only a great variety of natural beauties, but also access to the Gorge of Tripiti which as “a clandestine landing point for the whole of the area” played a major role during the occupation. In his book “The Stronghold” Xan Fielding describes it as “a needle-narrow opening in the littoral ramparts, which travelers until recently believed to be inaccessible except by sea” (p. 55). The Tripiti gorge marks the border between the provinces of Selino and Sfakiá and offers insights into the “highland labyrinth” above Koustogerako which during WW II “was probably the only habitable area in the whole of Crete which could have sheltered in safety such a vast clandestine concourse as ours had been (Xan Fielding; Hide and Seek, p. 167).
Just an update for those interested, we are currently in Sougia having met up with a party organised by Dr Ian Fraser, of New Zealanders and Australians. Best explained by this link. http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Last-rescue-from-wartime-Crete-commemorated
It is wonderful enjoying such company, wish our Italian friends were with us to enjoy the information and story swapping.
Spiro, so sorry we missed you all at the taverna last night, we went up to the cave near Nida and then found an old friend Father Andreas in Anogia and he invited us to sit with hIm and have a drink before he went off to officiate at mass. We then just walked to a nearby taverna and ate, coming back to Marina to get your note. Chris and Pete are off walking this morning and I would not be surprised if you meet up, they will recognise your supern t shirts! We will all be at Hotel Alexander 1st May. I hope our paths may cross somewhere.
Oh, wow. I just came back from Crete last week. We did some walks in the Amari valley, stayed two nights in Gerakari and in a way followed the abduction route, as well. The manager of the Alexander Hotel told us that there was a group of orchid experts coming, but he did not mention you.
Maybe I should sent Tom another walk in Paddys footsteps? The Amari valley was fantastic …
You should do that Christian! They are very popular 🙂
Next week I’ll be on Mount Ida with a group of cretans, britons and italians and we’ll surely celebrate the 69th anniversary of Kreipe’s abduction with lots of tsikoudia.
We will meet friends at the Hotel Marina, Anogia on night of 28th, before they follow the Kreipe abduction route again, and we go off to find another related location near Tsoutsouros. Then, on 1st we meet up again at Hotel Alexander in Gerakai. A few more days around the Amari before we leave for Sougia.I imagine we too will allow some Tsikoudia to pass our lips.
We will keep an eye out for you, The climbers we will join are the White brothers and we are hoping a few more friends can make the trip too.
@Tim,
We’ll be as well in Anogia, same day, same hotel, and 29th Ida crossing (vides ut alta stet…) to Prinos shelter, 30th Petrochori, 1st of may Gerakari / Keramos, 2nd Preveli Plakias, end of trip on the well known Peristeres Beach :-)) – Will be happy to meet you.
Well I’ll try and spot you. You may recognise me from http://www.explorecrete.com/history/kreipe-Anogia.htm
A few of us will hopefully be following this route more closely next week, though on the ferry rather than on foot. In Sougia we shall be meeting up with a party of New Zealanders, which will include some descendants of those who escaped from Tripiti, and joining them in commemorating the 70th anniversary of the evacuation.
Tim – or anyone. I have a question from someone who is in Crete at the moment and believes that Xan Fielding was buried there. Is that the case, and if so do you know where? Thanks.
Sorry not aware. Any hints in his obit. Just off so csnt check myself
No – just died in Paris.