Читать книгу The High Mountains of Crete. The White Mountains, Psiloritis and Lassithi Mountains онлайн

9 страница из 113

In addition to this, and visible everywhere as a striking backdrop to the beaches and coastal plains, an almost continuous spine of rugged limestone mountains runs along the length of the island. Frequented only by a few shepherds, the wilder regions of this interior offer challenging trekking routes of two or three days’ duration. Alternatively, at lower, more hospitable levels, walkers can follow old mule tracks and paths between foothill villages where a range of facilities can be found.

Although readily accessible, the mountains of Crete are very rugged and potentially hazardous. Route-finding is not easy due to the many spectacular limestone features that are typical of Greek mountains. There are Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-compatible large-scale contour maps covering selected areas but for full coverage of the island only 1:100,000 contour maps are available.

Crete is the largest and most prosperous of the Greek islands – thanks, in part, to the many beaches that attract summer tourism. Fertile coastal plains and valleys allow a thriving agricultural industry, and Athens, for example, provides a ready market for produce (by overnight ferryboat). Cretans and visitors alike enjoy an abundance of good home-produced food and wine.