European mountains
Lefka Ori range, Crete, Greece

Páchnes (Paxnes), 2453m
 

Location : Crete, Greece
Maps : Anavasi Topo25 11.12 Lefka Ori (White mountains) Pachnes 1:25.000
GPS: Garmin Euro Greece v.10.03 Fam.
Primary factor : 2038m
Hiked : May 2010
See also : Crete report
Psiloritis


Páchnes...

...is the highest peak in the Lefka Ori range (White mountains) and the 2nd highest peak on Crete. The normal starting point is the Anopoli village (approx. 600m). You get there via Chora Sfakion on the south/southwest side of Crete. From Anopoli, you can drive all the way up to 2000m (effectively 1900m) on a 4WD dirt road. Small cars can also reach 1900m elevation, but not with approval from the rental car companies...

The route from the mountain road and up to Páchnes is marked by cairns and the path is visible when not covered by snow. If you drive all the way up to 1900m, the summit is only 1,5 hours away. The view from the top is tremendous. If you don't get to see the ocean, the mountain range itself is quite stunning. The route description below is based on a hike all the way from Anapoli - a long hike that is not recommended in any way.

 

Lefka Ori (White Mountains) seen from Mt. Ida

Lefka Ori (White Mountains) seen from Mt. Ida
(Click for larger image)

The Lefka Ori range consists of more than 30 (all depending on how you count) peaks exceeding 2000m, and peakbaggers can go crazy up here. If you plan to camp, expect to camp on rocky ground.

The Samaria gorge is the most famous of the many gorges found inside the Lefka Ori range. It is one of the longest gorges/ravines (if not the longest) in Europe, and is one of the major tourist attractions on Crete. The starting point is Omalos - approx. 11km northwest of Páchnes.

 

Lefka Ori (white mountains) range

Lefka Ori (white mountains) range
(Click for larger image)

Primary factors:

Páchnes (Internet & map sources: 2453m, N35.29196 E24.03212) has a primary factor of 2038m towards the higher parent Mt. Ida. This information has been collected from Petter Bjřrstad's Pachnes page

GPS measurement read 2452m (on the ground), averaged over a 10-minute period (error margin +/-2m).

 

Páchnes

Páchnes
(Click for larger image)

 

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

 

Google maps
Google maps:
(Click on image)

 

 

Trail descriptions

These route description are valid per May 2010. All distances are approx.


Route 1:  Anapoli - Páchnes

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Exposure : No
Comments : *Long*  hike, but technically easy
Distance : Approx. 42km total (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 6-8 hours total
Starting Elev.: Approx. 700m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1750m (total)

Access

The starting point is the Anapoli village. If you drive from Hania/Chania, then follow the motorway/main road to the east, pass Souda, and look for the exit (appears suddenly) to Chora Sfakion, approx. 26km southeast of Souda. Follow this road up the mountains and then down to Chora Sfakion by the south coast. Continue west in the direction of Anapoli, and a long, eroded and curvy road brings you up to Anapoli.

In Anapoli, locate a marble statue in the town centre (and a roundabout). Then locate a narrow side road to your right and follow it approx. 2,2km to the north. The road (which is already a bit rough) forks here. The road to your right is your way up the mountain. If you have prepared correctly, you'll keep on driving. If you like long walks, park here (N35.23759 E24.08186).

The route

 

The route - as seen in Google Earth

The route - as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)

Follow this mountain road upwards, and stay left in any road forks. This road winds upwards and takes you all the way up to 2000m where the road ends (N35.29049 E24.05629).

An alternative ascent route is the E4 trail 350-400m east of your trailhead, which runs up a valley and joins the mountain road at 1600m elevation. The E4 trail does not seem to be signposted and can be hard to find.

 

The route - as seen in Google Earth

The route - as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)

From the end of the mountain road, continue northwest on the mountain path up to a col (N35.29560 E24.05152) between Páchnes and peak 2335m. A signpost points you in the direction (west) of Páchnes. The path runs on the north side of Ghavalá (2370m) then joins the ridge and continues up to Páchnes summit (N35.29196 E24.03212). Descend your ascent route.

 

The route - as seen in Google Earth

The route - as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)


Pictures and Trip reports:


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