Hiking in Crete

Arrival in Vamos by taxi (it can be arranged in advance) or by public transport from Chania or Heraklion Airport. Depending on your arrival time you can make a stroll in the picturesque village of Vamos or make the 4-hour walk to Georgioupolis. This is a pleasant walk through the agricultural landscape of Apokoronas, passing through several villages to the seaside town of Georgioupolis. Beautiful views, a monastery, scattered churches and the oldest olive press of Western Crete will please you in this first walking day of the tour.

From Georgioupolis back to Vamos by taxi.  It is also possible to do this walk in the morning on Day 3.

Overnight: Vamos Traditional Village

Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 400 m | Descent: 400 m | Walking time: 4 hrs approx.

Today’s walk is a circular route from the village of Nippos, embedded in the lush green area of Apokoronas. Cypresses & olive groves cover this hilly area. In the background the Lefka Ori, covered with snow in winter and spring, make you feel like walking in a painting. After the walk you will travel back to Vamos by taxi.

Overnight: Vamos Traditional Village

Distance: 12 km | Ascent: 100 m | Descent: 325 m | Walking time: 4 hrs approx.

A short taxi transfer will take you to the nearby village Vrysses, from where you travel by public transport to Chora Sfakion. The bus usually goes in the afternoon, allowing you to make a morning visit to Georgioupolis or to take a short walk around Vamos. (Booklet with short walks in and around Vamos is provided.)

Overnight: Livikon Hotel, Chora Sfakion

Distance: 6.6/10 km | Ascent: 180/600 m | Descent: 240/670 m | Walking time: 4½ hrs approx.

From Chora Sfakion you climb through the Ilinga gorge to the traditional village of Anopolis. Here you meet locals in the kafeneion and you will have the chance to try one of the excellent Sfakiana pittas: a sort of pancake with cream cheese and honey. This will give you energy for the rest of the walk. You will descend along a scenic path to the village of Loutro, hidden in a tiny, secluded bay. Loutro is only accessible by ferry or on foot and there are no cars. Throughout the walk you will have splendid views of the brilliant white buildings of Loutro contrasted with the deep blue of the Libyan Sea. You will spend the last 2 nights of this tour in Loutro. In case you prefer a less strenuous walk, you can take the coastal walking route to Loutro, with the option to go for a swim at the lovely Fresh Water Beach.

Overnight: Hotel Kyma, Loutro

Distance: 9/16 km | Ascent: 460/840 m | Descent: 460/840 m | Walking time: 4 hrs approx.

Via a steep zig-zag path you climb up to the village Anopolis. From here you continue on to ancient Aradena, located on the edge of the impressive Aradena Gorge. A spectacular path takes you down into the gorge, which you follow all the way to the coast. During the last part of today´s walk you will follow a path along the coast back to Loutro.  It is possible to make a shorter walk of 4 hrs. today via Livaniana (a tiny village) and then descend via the Aradena Gorge to the sea.

Overnight: Hotel Kyma, Loutro

Distance: 14.7 km | Ascent: 275 m | Descent: 275 m | Walking time: 5½ hrs approx.

Today’s beautiful coastal walk offers a wide variety of landscapes. You walk first to Marmara beach, where you may have an early morning swim and a coffee before continuing west along the coast. The views of the mountains and into the gorges are overwhelming. You walk through aromatic pine forest and come to the picturesque Byzantine church Agios Pavlos, located on an isolated beach of the same name. Continuing along the beach with great views over the sea, you reach todays destination: the small village of Agia Roumeli, located at the foot of the Samaria Gorge.

Note: In April when the Samaria gorge is NOT open, you will travel on the late afternoon ferry from Agia Roumeli to Sougia and stay overnight in Sougia.

Overnight: Pension Pachnes Agia Roumeli or similar in Souiga

Distance: 16 km | Ascent: 1200 m | Descent: 50 m | Walking time: 6 hrs approx.

The climb through the Samaria gorge is definitely the hardest walk of this tour, but also the most impressive one. Whilst most tourists walk through the gorge from top to bottom, you walk against the current and avoid the crowds! We recommend starting early today. By the time that you reach the upper end of the gorge, the temperature there will be considerably lower than at sea level; up to 10 degrees cooler, in fact. The last few kilometres are steep and demanding; mostly you will walk in the shade through dense forest until you reach Xyloskala. Here, the hotelier from Omalos will pick you up and take you to his hotel.

Note: in April you will walk through the Irini Gorge from Sougia to the Omalos plain. A beautiful and strenuous walk, similar to the Samaria gorge.

Overnight: Hotel Neos Omalos

Your hiking trip in Greece comes to an end after breakfast this morning. From Omalos plain you can take the public bus or book an optional taxi to Chania or Heraklion.  In case you are departing on a morning flight, you may need to book an additional night in Chania or Heraklion. Let us know and we can arrange this for you.