{"id":1066,"date":"2014-11-29T13:26:45","date_gmt":"2014-11-29T10:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thepaleochorasite.com\/bobsblog\/?p=1066"},"modified":"2022-10-08T16:53:24","modified_gmt":"2022-10-08T13:53:24","slug":"sassalos-gorge-outdorsy-pathway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thepaleochorasite.com\/bobsblog\/sassalos-gorge-outdorsy-pathway\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sassalos Gorge, an \u201cOutdorsy Pathway\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Outdorsy<\/a>Once upon a time, when Lynne and I were exploring that area, we came across a sign for an \u201cOutdorsy Pathway\u201d between Sassalos, Malathiros and Makronas.\u00a0 But although we found and enjoyed the route from Makronas to Malathiros, we never located a path through the\u00a0 Halasses gorge to Sassalos.\u00a0 And I know why now\u00a0 –\u00a0 there isn’t one.\u00a0 Further research and local enquiries over the years gave more information.\u00a0 The cafe owner in Sassalos told me the gorge was \u201coxi diskolo, alla oxi efkolo\u201d\u00a0 – not difficult, but not easy, and it would take around three hours, but that the gorge is only possible during the dry months of summer.\u00a0 From the Internet, webcrete.net\u00a0 suggested the gorge was\u00a0 \u201cMedium, 3-4 hrs, not clearly marked in some parts.\u201d\u00a0 Not at all, as it turned out!<\/p>\n

So Colin and I set out to explore, taking climbing gear for possible abseils or lowers.\u00a0 Sassalos is a pleasant 30km drive from Paleochora, through Plemeniana to Aligi, then over to Milones and down the chestnut tree lined valley, around 45 mins.\u00a0 Not indicated in any way, access to the gorge is north past the turning to Floria, then left through houses to reach a ford, dry in summer, and the riverbed.\u00a0 This we entered too soon, emerging scratched from brambles to walk easier on a track alongside to reach a concrete water cistern, then left below walnut trees and through a wire gate into the gorge proper, wide at this point.<\/p>