Following on from our journeying the previous day we are now at Zaros which is in the heart of Crete in the Idi Mountains. We are already high up at the best hotel of the trip which also has a fish farm- trout a speciality. There are apparently many springs around here providing a source of bottled water.
As much as I like the sea I also appreciate the view of mountains from my window but no time to linger we are off in a bus to climb higher still.
It is sometimes difficult to see how the road can possibly wind up any higher into the mountains but we kept weaving our way up, s bend after s bend. Then we stop by a track it almost looks random. We are higher than some of the mountains but we know our route is down and that we will actually arrive back at the hotel on foot which seems rather unlikely considering the length and route of our journey!
We are about to explore the Rouvas Gorge, only a 540 metre descent today. The first section is actually down an okay track – luxury compared to previous days and although I’ve got my poles out ready they are not needed.
The first part of this walk is about 5km and is all on good ground. Unlike the other walks we all meet at the first stopping place which actually looks as if it might be used for BBQs and much to my annoyance as I had just found a convenient rock – there are some toilets as well as an open chapel and an information board.
The board explains that it is very much an ecosystem of importance- we had already commented about the trees which had rather unfamiliar shaped leaves but did have acorns – Kermes Oaks!
From here the track, much more of a path now, did start in a wooded area but of course quickly changed to rock. No guesses who was at the back – I had promised Steve I wouldn’t leave him behind – after the disastrous coastal walk and he reciprocated. This was the first time that everyone in the group was walking since the first day so the groupings were more varied.
Apparently the wooden fences edging many of the paths which had precipitous drops were not to be relied upon- always reassuring. Some bits were okay and then other sections had really awkward rocky steps.
There were parts where we were way above the river bed and then sections were we had to cross it and then it would drop away again. Most of the time the path was fairly clear and there were markers painted on the rocks. We had squeezes under overhanging rocks to contend with but nothing to horrific . About half way down this section we started to meet people walking up- I suppose that would be okay as long as you didn’t have to rush for a pick up. At least our way we were in control.
And some of us at least stopped for refreshment – if goes without saying that we didn’t see Roger at this point!
Our path dipped deep into the gorge before it started to track around the side of a mountain and left the potential river far below. Suddenly having opened out we could see Zaros in the distance and way below- a bit more to go yet, then!
The vegetation had varied as we had descended and in spring it would have been quite spectacular. The path continued down and around the side of hills gradually descending through areas of wild sage. Quite difficult to take as many photos as you’d like to in this situation .
As we approached a gate to mark the end of the National park Caterina was waiting and walked the last section down to the lake with the last few of us. Not just a lake but also a bar – perhaps our last chance at an outside drink in the sunshine. Pleased that a chair had been saved on the beer table as they thought I might prefer that to the coffee group !!! How did they guess!
A 3.5 hour walk today and again all the group were there for a drink. We did have a little way to go and we were going out to lunch at a very homemade restaurant – so not much time to waste before we were back to the hotel to turn around again and walk further down into the village. The actual gorge walk was about 11km but there was still more walking to do before the day was over.
Lunch was amazing, our host just kept bringing out more and more dishes – a divine moussaka, wonderful stuffed aubergine and much more plus of course a plentiful supply of luckily not very strong red wine! Some of the group learnt how to make cheese pies ! Before we went off to see some traditional weaving and do some last minute shopping.
In the village we found a good map which showed our route from the top and back down to the lake and village. A good last day with a great evening sky – little did we know!
The next morning the view from my window was not so good but there were only a few spots of rain when we set off for the airport.
As we approached there was a deluge and steep side roads turned into rivers, rained poured off the top of road bridges onto our coach and we were driving through lakes. At the airport we had to take off our shoes and socks and roll up our trousers just to get from the coach into the airport. No surprise that we didn’t travel that night and in fact ended up late in the evening back in Zaros.
Oh well bonus short walk back up to the lake for coffee the next morning with time to see the limes and pomegranates growing as well as the small chapel. On the way back to the airport again we learnt a lot from our taxi driver about the olive harvest and pressing – so there’s always a bonus!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 