Crete - The White Mountains

The coast, gorges and mountains of South West Crete create one of the most dramatic landscapes of the Mediterranean. Using the latest maps we follow ancient paths to venture into the magical White Mountains whilst exploring dramatic gorges and caves.
Music artists.
PC-ONE
Tracks
"Fortress"
"Children Of The Son"
"A Dark Blue Arc"
"Through The Storm"
"Be With You"
www.pipechoir.com
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Music artist
Borrtex
Tracks
"Brave"
"Determination"
borrtex.bandcamp.com
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Photographs courtesy of
Martin D. Parr Golden oriole
Peter Boardman Blue rock thrush
www.west-crete.com Crocus meadow Potamos valley

[@thedolphin5428]

Brought back fond memories for me. Back in 1978 I walked from Fournes, Meskla, Zourva (closest track to the summit in those days), up over Pachnes, stayed in some Mitata with some shepherds for a few weeks, made cheeses, then continued on down into Samaria Gorge to Agnia Roumelli and then eastwards along the coastline to Hora Sfakion. Aaah yes, Lefka Ori -- the places of the old Greek Gods.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Hi, yes it is a magical place!

[@thedolphin5428]

As an Aussie, wherever I went in Crete, the mountain village old timers told of their war service as "partisanis" who knew all those gorges and tracks very well from resisting from the Germans. Many fighters were the shepherds. They loved us as brothers from our allied resistance on Crete. They talked of hiding Aussie soldiers in their homes and in the mountain caves on the south coast; of shooting the German paratroopers as they floated down; of defending their villages by "running away" into the hills and valleys where they could then ambush them from higher positions; of leading them round in circles for days to wear them down. In those days there were no tracks, only local knowhow of ways through the mountains.

[@avnercohen4323]

These sunglasses are amazing. They also look very handy, blocking the cold air and all.

[@JELLYBABIESdnb]

I walked the full E4 in Crete in May 2019. I must have watched your video have a dozen times whilst planning the trek. A fantastic film with quality information. Great job, and thank you!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Great thanks for watching, the E4 is amazing, not done it all though, a bit up to Kastro mountain and from Sougia to Roumeli when it first opened.

[@denismichaeljames]

Today in London. Storm Dennis emerging, cancelled flights etc.. so was feeling hemmed indoors. But found this while wishing I was in Crete In May. Longing to revisit and not been for over ten years. Stunning film. So well put together with an immense narrative and rich knowledge. Thank you, it cheered me up no end. It’s brilliant and you are both incredible with your travels and spectacular filming. I also adored the music, the blue thrush and the sound of bees.

[@thierrybilson9634]

My sentiments entirely

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks for your lovely comment, we strive for such nice comments, enjoy Crete in May!

[@lostinriomusic9092]

Excellent and informative. Well done for taking the time to walk it and share it with us

[@thedwightguy]

you were there in the early nineties and returned with your buddy. what a ride.

[@KrzysztofSpikowski]

mind blowing! this is fckn amazing, great music, top class landscapes and you guys rock!. brilliant flash backs from 90', some piece of work, nice one!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks for your comment, glad you enjoyed it.

[@sabbatini2372]

This is a fantastic video, a real achievement. One of the best I've seen on KZbin. It's so well made and everything is excellently judged, the pace, music, photography, tone and the presentation - they all fit together seamlessly and unpretentiously. Even your voices are ideally suited to accompany the viewer on this beautiful journey. Thank you.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thank you for your kind comments. We tried to capture a little of the wild atmosphere that pervades the White Mountains.

[@janis1099]

💯❤💫

[@davidviner5783]

An excellent video for anyone interested in hiking in Crete....and if you call yourself a hill-walker you need to visit the White Mts. Very enjoyable and informative. New subscriber.

[@faetofagitosou]

😲Wow😲.Perfect videos, very informative. I am from Chania and you know more for the White Mountains,than the most locals. Keep up the good work. Hope you visit us again.

[@ScanMan1967]

Wow, what an amazing video! Loved it.

[@MichaelAyden]

What a great piece of work- Really well explained and shot. I watched all of it! I like the music and wow those crystals up on high by that blue magnificent beyond. I love Crete but I've never seen it quite like that before. I only once went up to the start of The Samaria Gorge and explored a few high villages as remote beaches were my main focus.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks for your comment, you will have to go back again and do these paths!

[@DimitriosKvs]

Great video. Beautiful scenery.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment.

[@CretePl]

Crete is amazing place :). Worth to see, worth to be

[@annwackelin8087]

A wonderful film! Thank you so much!

[@melreuxhot1]

absolutely fabulous

[@johanweijer9986]

What a great video. Been to this area a few times few years ago now. Loutro is a village that has stolen our hearts. Been up to Livania more then once and back to Loutro via the gourge. We haven’t been up into the high mountains yet. This video really shown us a couple of places we would like to visit. Thanks very much. Best regards Johan.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks Johan.

[@mattward1146]

Thanks- great information on an area I would like to visit

[@mattward1146]

I was in Crete last week and did quite a bit of walking in the White Mountains. Highly recommended.

[@circeastraia281]

These vids are great. We did a lot of walking in Crete and hope to do more when the situation improves. Thank you for giving us a “Crete fix” whilst we are unable to go. Wonderful!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Yes we need a Crete fix as well, but I may need a new hip soon!

[@randolpheustace-walden2155]

What a cracking video! Thanks very much, you two. I've been in that region, although several years ago and it is absolutely spectacular. I'm returning to Crete for the month of May this year, and I am looking forward to tracing your footsteps up into the White Mountains. Cheers!

[@SynchronisedMinds]

Once again stunning.

[@vali1luci]

Multumesc! Fantastic!

[@alkssmith9762]

Shared this on my and 2 friends FB pages, and recommended your channel. Watching this almost every day, thanks again!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

You're welcome, have you been to the area?

[@alkssmith9762]

@@ByGeorgeFilms Not sofar, only to Cyprus, of Greek lands. Your 2 videos on Crete depict it so realistically though, it's like I'm already there, when watching

[@MountainManJohnFilms]

Came across this by chance. I've watched a few Crete mountain films but absolutely loved this. Very engaging. I need to do this! Thanks for a wonderful film of variety.

[@phizi5162]

Beautiful! Thank you X

[@s.k.3891]

Thanks for your work in making such a nice record of your journey to western Crete.I smiled when I heard you pronounce the place names in the Cretan manner ("chi" for K -"ki".)

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks very much for your comment, glad you enjoyed the film, we wish we could have pronounced them better, we learnt the chi from a local man we gave a lift to!

[@s.k.3891]

You're welcome! You pronounced it accurately , and with a regional flavor no less!

[@thedolphin5428]

@@ByGeorgeFilms Re some local Cretan pronounciations I picked up in my 3 years there ... They softened the gutteral "kh" sound into a "sh" such that oikhi (no) became oishee; Hitler became Shitler; Hippies became Shippies! As I learned my Greek while fruit picking in the mountain villages south of Hania, in Athenian and mainland Greece they said I didn't speak Greek but Cretan! One snobby Athenian university teacher I spoke with presumed I was in "a West Cretan peasant" my accent was so strong!

[@vasya77721]

Terrific! Thank you for the film.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.

[@rimagoncharuk1412]

Amazing view! You gave me taste to make a visit to this place too, wonderful white mountains, splendid sea view, thanks, good job!

[@martinparr4495]

Great work, makes me want to get back there again, there is so much that I didn't get to see that you managed to find! Thank you for sharing!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks once again for the photo Martin.

[@zadokwest]

Fantastic brings back memories

[@joefurlong5252]

great film we really enjoyed it sitting in lockdown in Sitia, East Crete, You will have come to the nature reserve here and make a video in the future! Nice job guys!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks for the comment Joe, will do when I'm fitter!

[@MrPEPEJIO]

thank you were you show my place to the people

[@Bob-rc6hi]

Excellent as usual!, one of the best and a surprise for a little island like Crete, We always enjoy your travels and look forward to where next?

[@alkssmith9762]

Wonderful video, to be on loop and watched for hours, what I do. Looked through the channel and subscribed at once. Thanks!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks very much, these comments are what we strive for!

[@smydie]

fantastic ! so well put together and informative in lots of ways.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks very much for your comment, I'm thinking about adding a kitten thumbnail so that the film will get about 60 million views as my videos get lost amongst most of the drivel that is posted!

[@donaldhrussell]

Fantastic!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Hi Donald, thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed it.

[@dickielarue1451]

Thanks for sharing...adding to my trekking list!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks for the comment, get yourself there!

[@costiniucmircea]

Beautiful video !

[@Stavraetina]

Quality video!

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks very much for the comment. We just love making these!

[@phamers55]

Very well put together and inspiring video...great job.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@dorisesho5630]

Beautful Thanks for sharing

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Thanks for the comment, live it do it!

[@thebritishtartarian174]

awsome

[@Sam_Green____4114]

Anyone done the path from the Gorge of Agia lrini to the entrance of the Samaria Gorge ? l 've done the path from Livadas to Kostayerako , then from there to Sougia , a few years back . The difference in height is really amazing . Appreciated more when you get to the huge communication mast about half way .From here it's a sharp descent down to Sougia .You also walk past a ancient defunct volcanic/ meteor impact crater and it quite amazing to stand on the edge and look down . l have also walked Sougia to Lissos and back along the E4 path - quite strenuous. l have also walked the Gorges of Irini , Samaria , Deliana , Rokka and Diktomos ! ( When l was walking in Rokka l slipped on wet rock and hurt my leg . l thought l had broken it . l couldn't even stand on it for 30 mins! Eventually though the pain subsided and after an hour resting l continued on although it was a bit sore still . l don't know what l would have done if it had broken it ! As it was March and very few other people were around and l hadn't told anyone where l was going ! Only good thing about is l had (unusually ) a lot of food and water in my rucksack( which made it very heavy and nearly caused another accident later ! ) . l would love to do the Samaria Gorge in both directions ! Staying at Agia Romelli overnight ! ( maybe two nights to recover ! Going back will be hard as it's all up hill !) This is in the planning . The Agia lrini to Samaria Gorge path is one of my main ambitions to do. Camping out over night for at least one or two nights ! Mrs is telling me ( forbidding me ! ) not to go alone and not to rush it ! Another desire if to walk to and stay at the Mountain lodge of ? ( forget the name ! ) to the east of the Samaria Gorge entrance. Especially when there's snow up there . But apparently they don't open in the winter ! So this might be difficult to acheive.

[@user-yh6pz9tn5t]

Μy sincere congratulations on your own masterpiece video. Congratulations also for your willingness to promote a place like this. One is sure that you love this place you are showing us. Be well and healthy and who knows we can meet eachother some day up there.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

You are right, it is a fantastic place in the mountains, thank you

[@user-yh6pz9tn5t]

Υes there are "firstcreated" , marvelous & unic landscape in which I personally, as others imagine, returning again and again !!! I m 44 yars old & member of the local mountaineering society but only the last 5 years have started to knowing white mountains through multydays crossings from many & different paths all aroynd .And im not have get enough yet!!!!! Please don hasitate to comunicate when you will be again in crete. It will be pleasure to get know [e-mail] Senceraly NikolaosK.Suladakis

[@trevorleat8906]

Thanks for sharing this lovely film of a region I have visited many times. I've Walked the e4 all along the coast but have never ventured into the mountains beyond Aradena, I'm going to Sougia again next month and you've inspired me to walk higher. I have the Anavasi maps but your ones seem to have more details than these...can you tell me what map you use? Thanks again for this lovely informative video.

[@ANTHONYBOOTH]

I never realized that the white mountains were actually a caldera... - dormant at the moment, how many sensors have they put across that region to-date?

[@ExploringHabit]

Cool video & educational , I'm going to Crete in August didn't know it had the largest canyon in Europe. I'll will explore most of Samaria now. Thanks.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Enjoy Samaria and explore the mountains starting from Omalos as well. You can get well into the White mountains from there.

[@johanweijer9986]

Hi George, Having a second look at your amazing film but now with my map on hand I noticed that the map you use has much more details then the one I have. Which is the 1:25,000 map of Anavasi. For instance the Dracolaki cave is not on it. Also the path to the summit of Zaranakefala is not on the Anavasi map. I was under the assumption that the Anavasi maps were the most detailed available. I would be very interested to find out which map you are using. Looking forward hearing from you. Best regards, Johan

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Hi Johan, when are you going? If you message me on Facebook(if you do it) I can send you a picture of the front cover. Look for ByGeorge Films on Facebook search. Regards, George.

[@silviajezovicova6990]

... did you see the jays in the mountains? They carry oak seeds, acorns and oak trees there. As mostly, pines or cyprus were seen on the video. Thanks!

[@silviajezovicova6990]

... nice! Thanks! When you where there? In 32:42 flowering Ebenus cretica. 16:34 birds - Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) and Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius), male. Greetings from Slovakia.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

We were there in May.

[@silviajezovicova6990]

Thanks!

[@vikingwoodworker6183]

Amazing film, why it only have 2655 wiews I don`t understand.

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

We can't understand either!

[@user-po6hn9id1t]

ByGeorgeFilms that's how high quality content is on KZbin. Like a treasure in someways...

[@mx3klde]

Which camera you use ?

[@ByGeorgeFilms]

Hi, it was a GoPro Hero 4.

[@alkssmith9762]

Shared your channel in one FB group, told, there's a wonderful travel channel by intelligent Scotch? couple to maintain good moods, hope there will be more visitors in coming days. But warned, that for those, preferring dumb screaming jerky videos with flat humor, your channel is not the best choice,

[@ANTHONYBOOTH]

you couldn't pay me enough money to go in that cave ...not since that quake back in 2006 that I experienced - fuck that!!! ...you have obviously not yet experienced a quake there...

[@jeremykeller211]

What is this aural effluent (music?) doing in the land of Theodirakis and Hajidakis? Please fix this immediately!