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Kalergi Lodge

How to get to Kalergi Lodge. The ascent route to the lodge is the initial part of the E4 crossing of the White Mountains.

• 1. Hiking from 'The Fence'

  Hiking routes to the Kalergi Lodge

  Time: 1h 30’
  Elevation gain: 350m
  Distance: 3.8km
  Difficulty: 3/5
  Marking color: Red/blue
  Start: At the Samaria Gorge entrance parking lot, right at the end of the Omalos Plateau road.
  To the left of the entrance, there is a sign that leads you on the well-marked path, the first part of which is gently sloping on easy terrain.
  After about 30 minutes you meet the unpaved road and continue uphill for about 1km until a marking on your right directs you to leave the road and continue uphill.
  With the fence of the National Park of Samaria on your right, continue until you reach the mountain refuge.
  The ascent from this route is the shortest, with the least elevation gain. The second part of the route is steeper with slightly more challenging terrain than the other routes (no scrambling, though!). This route offers a unique view and an incredible aesthetic, while in the summer it is recommended as there is always a cool breeze.

•  2. Hiking 'The road to heaven'

  Time: 1h 40’
  Elevation gain: 450m
  Distance: 4.9km
  Difficulty: 1/5
  Marking color: Blue
  Start: At Omalos plateau, following the main paved road, there is an unpaved (dirt) road on your left (as you’re coming from Chania).

  There is a sign for Kalergi Lodge.
  Just follow the unpaved road all the way to the refuge. There are also blue markings.

  The route is very easy for hikers, with a gentle gradient.

• 3. 'The Bypass' hiking trail

  Time: 1h 30’
  Altitude difference: 450m
  Difficulty: 2/5
  Marking color: red
  Start: At Omalos plateau, following the main paved road, there is an unpaved (dirt) road on your left (as you’re coming from Chania).

  There is a sign for Kalergi Lodge.
  At the typical intersection with the sign, we park our car and follow the signs for the shelter.

  In 1.2 kilometers at the characteristic right hairpin, we will meet the sign for this route. We follow the red signs that lead us into the forest and then after going higher, we reach a field with a hairpin path. In 30 minutes the path leads us back to the road which we follow until we reach the shelter. This detour bypasses a large part of the forest road and is quite short.

• 4. By car

  Time: 20-30 minutes
  Altitude difference: 450m

  Start: At Omalos plateau, following the main paved road, there is an unpaved (dirt) road on your left (as you’re coming from Chania). There is a sign for Kalergi Lodge.
  At the typical intersection with the sign, you can continue with your car and follow the signs for the shelter.

  In 20-30 minutes you will reach Kalergi Lodge.

  We suggest your car be a 4wd car.