The Omalos plateau in Crete is about 40 kilometres south of Chania, at 1080-1250 meters. Omalos is located between the provinces of Kydonia, Selino, and Sfakia, and it borders them through three entrances.
Public transport is available but not the most convenient way to get there. It is probably better to rent a car from Chania if your accommodation is in the city of Chania, or even rent a car from Heraklion, or in any case from where your hotel is located if you do not have a rental car in Crete.
The first entry of the plateau is the plain of Kydonia, which is in the "Neratzoporta" at an altitude of 1,087 meters. The second entrance is from the Samaria Gorge, which ends at Agia RoumeliSougia. The plateau of Omalos is surrounded by the peaks of the White Mountains, which are always snowy during the winter months. Then, the plateau is covered by snow, and there is no access to a public road for several days because of snow.
The highest peak surrounding the plateau is "Volakias" (2.216m.), Then the "Gigilos" (2.081m.) In front of the position Xyloskalo where the path for the descent of the gorge of Samaria, the "Chambery" ( 2.005m.), is located on the western side of the gorge of Samaria and "Psilafi" (1.984m.). When the snow melts in the spring, the plateau is covered by wildflowers and green, apart from the very hot summer months. It is an ideal place for walking or hiking. In the past, Omalos was the shelter of Cretans in difficult revolutionary periods. The fortified area with rough terrain offered asylum to persecuted Cretans but was also a base for the Cretan rebels against any foreign invader. Today, the village of Omalos begins a road and continues south for about 4 km, which ends in Xyloskalo. The famous path starts in the Samaria Gorges and ends at Agia Roumeli. Omalos has guest taverns and a few hotels, some of which are equipped and suitable for winter.
creterentcars.gr
