28.03 Crete: Mount Gingilos, a hiking experience supreme, views to live for.
Editor scrambles as she negotiates the fourth segment of the climb. Every now and again, sometimes even frequently, we come across a hike that turns into a superb experience. The climb and hike to the peak, and of course return, from Gingilos was one such adventure. Briefly, the starting point is opposite the Samaria Gorge. Although most people visit Amalos to undertake the gorge hike, we believe this climb is far superior and by a wide margin. It has a number of segments. The first part is a hike up a steep section of a mountain, followed by a walk along the edge, always on rugged, stony paths. Stage-three rises sharply to a saddle, the fourth section is tricky rock scrambling and technical climbing while the last stage is a relatively easy walk along shale to the peak. The slope on the third segment...I thought the editor was joking when she pointed to the top and mentioned it was merely the saddle. The peak was way above. The saddle above...and then to the left, the...