Koukoule start/end Omalos

At the edge of the village of Omalos towards the Samaria Gorge, a side path branches off to the left opposite a tavern. It soon leads gently uphill and seems to end at a gate. However, the gate can be opened, and behind it blue markings begin, leading uphill to a fork where you follow a blue arrow to the right. A rocky pull path leads to a crossroads where you turn left onto a significantly wider path (blue arrow). At a left curve, you then continue straight ahead, following blue-red markings on a rocky path uphill through dense woods. On the karstic ground, this path soon becomes indistinct, and you mainly orient yourself by the markings and some cairns. The route basically follows a ridge uphill. High up, the path, which becomes clearer again here, turns right and passes a small notch. Beyond two subpeaks with stone pyramids, you reach the flat main summit of Koukoule.

From the summit, continue straight ahead as the terrain gradually becomes gentle until you reach a dirt road, which you follow to the right, then leave it again below the Kallergi Hut by turning left and climbing steeply up a short, narrow path along an escarpment to the hut.

From the Kallergi Hut, follow the access track downhill to a saddle, then continue left on the track, initially descending over three switchbacks, and then – unless you want to look for a direct descent – in a long traverse to the left. At the following right bend, a clear footpath branches off to the left, leading down to Xyloskalo with a large parking lot.

From Xyloskalo, follow the road downhill to the first junction and a little further along a gentle right bend until an agricultural road branches off diagonally to the left, which you take. Follow this agricultural road straight to its end, where it bends right and shortly afterwards flows into a dirt road that leads back to the starting point on the right.