West Crete Hiking

Arrival in Paleochora, by taxi (may be arranged in advance) or by public transport from Chania or Heraklion Airport. From Chania it takes about 1.5 hours by taxi, from Heraklion the taxi ride is about 3.5 hours. Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll have time for a first stroll through the pleasant seaside town of Paleochora, whose population of 1800 makes it one of the largest villages on the south-west coast. There is a Venetian fortress and several sandy and rocky beaches.

After breakfast, you have a transfer to the village of Azogires. From this wonderful town, you start your walk along the trail called the 99 Monks trail. Passing Olive groves and varied scenery you reach the village of Anidri with its Byzantine church. Here you follow the small gorge to the coast and back to Paleochora.

If travelling between June and September, you can enjoy a ferry trip from Paleochora to the enchanting Elafonissi Lagoon (only available on Monday-Saturday). From there, you walk back towards Paleochora along the coast passing beautiful, remote sandy beaches. The walk ends at Kryos Beach, where a taxi will pick you up for the transfer back to your hotel. If there is no ferry, you will be transferred to Azogirai and walk down the coast and back to your accommodation.

Today’s walk starts in Paleochora. You follow a dirt track into an undisturbed natural wilderness, then continue along a stunning coastal path (E4) overlooking the sea. You will pass ancient Lissos, an important harbour for the Dorian city of Elyros, which boasted a population of 30.000 at it peak. In ancient times, people came to Lissos to be cured by the local waters. You can enjoy a picnic lunch on this historic spot and swim in the curative waters before heading further east to Sougia, by way of a beautiful narrow gorge.

Today you traverse two impressive gorges, from sea level up to 1000m! You walk through the impressive Irini Gorge along a well-made path. The ascent is demanding but not too steep. Leaving the Irini Gorge behind, you walk into the steeper Figou Gorge. From a certain height onwards, you will enjoy stunning views. The walk ends at a chapel, ‘Agios Theodoros’, where the hotel’s minibus will pick you up. The hotel is on the Omalos plain surrounded by the spectacular summits of the White Mountains.

Today you walk through Europe’s longest and most famous gorge: the Samaria Gorge. This Crete gorge walk is one not to be missed! You can either start very early or rather late, avoiding the crowds of people who walk the gorge as a day trip. During quieter hours, you’ll enjoy the true beauty of this spectacular gorge. You spend the night in the seaside village of Agia Roumeli, at the end of the gorge, which leaves you as much time as you need for the walk. There will still be plenty of time for a relaxing swim in the crystal clear Lybian sea before you set off for dinner at one of the local taverns in Agia Roumeli.

NOTE: Samaria gorge is normally open 1^st May – End October but can be closed due to extreme weather. If the gorge is closed you get transferred to Sougia and the ferry to Agia Roumeli where you can do a 6.3 miles 10km walk.

Today a splendid coastal walk with lots of variety. First, you walk along the beach to the Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos. Then you walk at a higher elevation through a fir forest. From the forest, you continue on to the beach at “Marmara” where you see great views to massive mountains on your left and the sea to your right. There’s a tavern on the small beach at Marmara, and you may want to enjoy a swim here as well! From Marmara, you’ll need another hour along the coast to reach the car-free village of Loutro.

Today you take a steep zig-zag path up to the village of Anopolis. From here you walk further on to ancient Aradhena, situated at the edge of the impressive Aradhena Gorge. A spectacular path takes you down into the Aradhena Gorge all the way to the coast. The last part of today’s walk follows a path along the coast back to Loutro. It is possible to do a shorter route of 4 hrs today, via the tiny village of Livaniana, then descend via the Aradhena Gorge to the sea.

Today you travel back to Chora Sfakion by ferry in the morning and, from there, by public transport or pre-booked transfer to Chania or Heraklion Airport. Departure from one of the most beautiful areas of Crete.