08:00-09:30: Arrival of participating teams at the Omalou plateau at the Xyloskalos location (elevation 1,250 m.). There will be a secretariat for information and participation registration at a visible location.
09:30: Ascent to the peak of Gigilus, elevation 2,080 m., (elevation difference +830 m., climbing time approximately 3.5 hours). The trail is uphill, steep, rocky and treeless. Mountaineers must be in good physical condition, wear hiking boots (arvylo), have a walking stick, water bottle, hat and sunscreen. We will fill our water bottles at the starting point of the ascent in Xyloskalos and approximately halfway through the route at the Linoseli spring, where we will have a light refreshment (Turkish delight). Participants in the ascent will be accompanied throughout the entire route by experienced members of our Club.
19:00: Rest and overnight stay at the Omalou plateau, participants will stay overnight in designated camping areas near the hotels of Omalou or in rooms if they have made a reservation or at the Kallergi refuge, if they wish to walk an additional one and a half hours from Xyloskalos. In the evening we will all gather for a small celebration with a light refreshment in the square around the taverns and hotels of Omalou.

07:30-09:30: Arrival – Welcome of teams at Xyloskalos Omalou- There will be a secretariat for information and participation registration at the entrance of the National Park.
08:30-09:30: Start of hiking by groups in the Samaria Gorge, we will start our hike slowly on the main marked trail in the gorge, always with the accompaniment and company of our Club members. We will fill our water bottles at Xyloskalos and in the gorge, where approximately every 3 km there are springs (hiking time approximately 6:00 to 7:00 hours, with hiking boots (arvylo), walking stick, hat and sunscreen).
17:00-18:30: Exit from the Samaria Gorge, settlement in the camping area or in the rooms that participants may have made reservations for.
19:00-19:30: Brief informational event about the area and the Samaria National Park.
19:30-21:00: Food and drink offering and small traditional celebration.

08:30-09:30: Breakfast offering with malotira drink, rusk and more..
10:00: Easy ascent to the castle of Agia Roumeli, on the elevation above the settlement with panoramic views of the Libyan Sea (hiking time approximately 1:00 hour). Brief greetings from organizers and representatives of the Clubs.
14:00-17:00: Free time for swimming and rest. End of the 84th P.O.S. events.
In the afternoon at 17:30 p.m. we will depart from Agia Roumeli with scheduled line boats for Chora Sfakion or Sougia, from where with scheduled KTEL Chania buses participants will be able to return to the Omalou plateau, if some of them have left their vehicles there.

See all the useful information on how to travel, where to stay and the full program HERE!

17-19 July 2026: 84th Panhellenic Mountaineering Meeting - White Mountains Crete

About This Ascent