We start off at Omalos area, at a spot called "Petras Selli" and our bus leaves us in a place after the chapel of Saint Theodoron. This is where the famous “Vasiliki Strata-Royal Walking”of Omalos, a stone-cobbled road, which served for many centuries the communication of residents of Eastern Selino with the Northern areas and Chania.

Our route starts with a downhill path which is defined with stones in a “Zig Zag” form.

Τhe lush vegetation which surrounds us constitutes an integral part of our route. It mainly includes oak and cypress trees, aromatic shrubs such as dittany, sage and thyme, greens but different colorful wild flowers,as well.

We meet the “colchic” of Crete and a kind of Cretan tulip, beautiful flowers of rhodium and white color, that emerge among stones.

As we descend, the path becomes narrower and steeper again with many successive hinges. At some points, we have to be particularly careful, because of the dangerous slope. The soil is weak, with small pebbles falling. At other points the route is getting tricky. 

Gradually the path becomes broader and spacious, a sunny clearing is waiting for us,  facilitating our journey.

The amazing view, impresses us all. Below lies the mountain slope and across we observe certain levels, made with drywall. These ramps, the staggered formats on the slopes served growing crops which were difficult to grow in sloping ground. It is a practice which was used in the ancient times in these terrains and enabled people to cultivate,  restraining the mountains’ grounds, with limited use of rainwater. It also protected the plants from winds.

Τhe downhill comes to an end and we find ourselves in a open place with a lot of trees and water, where you can take a short break. We start getting down the slope again and the path is getting narrow again but as we approach the end of the route, we come across a small bridge.

Our hiking ends in a small uphill, which leads us to a plateau close to the entrance of the Canyon of Saint Irene. In a complete harmony with the natural environment, two stone chapels with murals, from the time of the Venetian Occupation: The Transfiguration of the Savior dating back to the 14th century, where there have been some restoration works, and Saint George which has been in ruins. We stop to admire the scenery, full of olives, pine and cypress trees.

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TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: 2/5