The White Mountains make up the most extensive range on the island, running from west to east for 40-45 km and from north to south 35 km.
They have a large number of peaks (57) above 2000 m and almost as many (54) between 1500-2000 m.
The most imposing of these are Pachnes (2453 m), Trocharis (2401 m), the Soros Mesa (2397 m), Bournelos (2342 m). The most impressive of all, though not the highest, is Gigilos (2005 m), which rises above the west side of the Samaria Gorge, with its wild ravines filled with snow.
The White Mountains are characterized by extensive upland plateaus and striking gorges.
The largest and most outstanding of the latter are located on the steep southern slopes, in particular those of Aghia Irini (Irene), Samaria, Aradena and Imbros.
Of these Samaria is the best known, with its drop of 1500 m and length of 18 km.
The main plateau of the White Mountains are Askyfou (at an altitude of 730 m), Kallikratis (750 m), Anopolis (600 m) and of course the famed Omalos plain – at 1080 m, whence starts the Samaria Gorge.
At the feet of the south slopes are to be found the most attractive and isolated beaches, and on their sides have grown up extensive forests of pine, oak and cypress.
On the south slopes of the White Mountains, and also towards the center, runs the European Walking Trail E4. For those who love to tramp about, go mountaineering and indulge in free-skiing, the White Mountains offer many trails of varying degrees of hardness and in greatly differing landscapes.
