Samaria Gorge (Crete, Greece)

Samaria Gorge (Crete, Greece) ... of the two remaining habitats to the Cretan wild goat or Kri-Kri (Capra aegagrus cretica) that lives in secluded hollows on the mountainside. The Kri-Kri are usually seen in the afternoon but their shyness makes it unlikely to glimpse one. Unfortunately, there are only about 2000 animals remaining on the entire island and they face an insecure future: hunters still seek them for their tender meat, grazing grounds have become more scarce and disease is a harsh reality for these beautiful creatures. Other endemic animal species include the Cretan badger, the Cretan marten, the Cretan spiny mouse, and the Cretan weasel. Only the fortunate will see some the the rarest birds of Europe such as the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) and the lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) are sometimes sighted here as well. The 18 km hike through the Samaria Gorge begins at Xyloskalo on the Omalos plateau 1200 m high. To the south is a majestic view of Mt. Gygilos with its lunar landscape that is of great interest to rock climbers. Sheer cliffs and mighty peaks surround the fertile highland plain of Omalos where ancient olive trees still grow. Below, the great gash of the Samaria gorge was carved by mountain torrents making their way steeply to the Libyan Sea. According to Greek mythology, one of the Titans living on Crete slashed the land with his knife to create the gorge while Cretan-born Zeus, the god of the heavens, placed his throne on top of Mt. Gygilos and raced his chariot on the nearby mountain plain of Angathoti.