OMALOS PLATEAU

Omalos is a little village in the Platanias region. The Greek word “Ομαλός”meaning: smooth. This refers to the smooth plateau.

A plateau or highland is a plain, that is permanently located at an altitude of 200 meters above sea level. There are no major protrusions on the plateaus, their surface is even.

Omalos Plateau (Οροπέδιο Ομαλου) is located in the center of Lefka Ori (White Mountains, or Great Mountains) – in 1200 meters high!

Chania 38 km, Kolymvari 44.6 km, Kissamos 57.8 km

The area of the plateau is 15 km2. The plateau is located at the intersection of Platanias region, Sfakia region and East Selino region.

The road to the plateau is picturesque, exciting, adventurous!

GPS: 35.418055, 23.941633

On the way from Chania, at the entrance to the plateau is the Tzanis Cave

Tzanis Cave

It is actually impossible for tourists to explore the main cave of Tzanis: this is only available to trained professionals!
We can only see the entrance to the cave!

The cave has an interesting legend, [swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] that local people are happy to tell.
A young shepherd, Tzanis, got lost in the neighbourhood. The cave fairies abducted him, that he to accompany the dance of the fairies with music.
Since then, when there is a full moon, a sound is heard from the cave.

The fairies dance and hold babies in their hands. Babies are as white, as the foam of the sea.
The fairies have long, silky hair. They dance to lyrical music, with soft, delicate movements. Tzanis plays unparalleled melancholic, wonderful, lyrical songs. [/swpm_protected]

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] Tzanis regretted his lost life, which he once lived happily among the people. The lyrical songs contain all of Tzanis ’feelings, desires, sadness, sorrows.
Therefore, according to the Cretan tradition: only those can become perfect in the lyric, who can understand and learn from Tzanis!

It is also said, that during a full moon, the echo can be heard in the mountains and the plains. The voice: sweet and sad.

The cave has attracted the attention of cavers and tourists since 1865. [/swpm_protected]

Since 1961, cave groups of different nationalities have been exploring parts of the cave system.
[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] The part currently excavated is 250 meters, but this is expected to increase as expeditions continue to work in the cave.

The Tzanis Cave is actually only available to cave experts as its exploration requires caving equipment and experience. [/swpm_protected]

The cave was an excellent refuge in the battles against the Venetians and later the Turks in the late 17th century.

650 meters from Tzanis Cave is the center of the village of Omalos

The plateau is on 1,200 high, yet it is surrounded by the great mountains as a protective shield

The green oasis between the mountains: the Omalos Plateau.

It is a flat area of land, ringed by high peaks. It is located at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level.

The walk around the Omalos Plateau is 5-6 km, it is a light, flat walk that takes about two hours.

Fertile soils and a cooler climate are suitable for growing vegetables and fruits. Potatoes, apples and cereals are grown here.

Local cheese is made in small, round stone houses (mitata): graviera cheese.

In the warmer seasons, shepherds graze goats and sheep on the slope pastures (madares, μαδάρες).

The vegetation of the gorges and the lower mountains is abundant. The herb known as dittany, wild oregano and thyme are native to this part. The favorite drink in this region is Cretan mountain tea (Sideritis syriaca or also known as Tsai Tou Vounou).
In the spring, the plateau comes to life with thousands of flowers. They are unique, the native tulips.

The highest point of the province is Pachnes, which is located at an altitude of 2452 m above sea level.
[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] The highest point in the White Mountains, known for its lack of vegetation, is known as the “high desert”. This means no cover, no shade and no water.
Only Cretan shepherds and goats live in this area. [/swpm_protected]

[swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] The highest point of the province is, from the Omalos side, from the west side, it can only be approached by hiking.
This tour is only recommended for experienced hikers. It leads through a very difficult and dangerous area.
The mountains are wild and rocky, steep. Difficult for hiking.
Hikers need to be well prepared for the long hike: no shade and no water! [/swpm_protected]

By car, the highest point of the province [swpm_protected format_protected_msg=”1″] is Pachnes is approachable, if we are bypassing Lefka Ori, also known as the White Mountains.
The highest point can be reached by car, from the east side. This place is 137 km from Omalos. [/swpm_protected]