SloWays • Mountains and gorges of Crete

A demanding but beautiful walk through the mountains and gorges of the legendary island of Crete: from the lush landscape countryside of Apokoronas to the impressive gorges of Sfakia and Aradhena, through traditional villages.

Route

Day 1: Paleochora

Day 2: Walk from Elafonissos to Kryos Beach, 10 km

Day 3: Walk from Paleochora to Sougia, 15 km

Day 4: Walk from Sougia to Omalos plain, 12 km

Day 5: Walk through the Samaria gorge, 16 km

Day 6: Walk from Agia Roumeli to Loutro, 14,5 km

Day 7: Round walk from Loutro, 15,5 km

Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Paleochora

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 hrs by taxi, from Heraklion the taxi ride is about 3,5 hrs. 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.

Day 2: Walk from Elafonissos to Kryos Beach, 10 km

If travelling between mid-May and mid-October, you will enjoy a ferry trip from Paleochora to the enchanting Elafonissi Lagoon. 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. On Sundays and in spring and late October, you will be transferred to the mountain village of Azogires and walk back to Paleochora. You may book an optional transfer at a supplement per taxi to Elafonissi and walk to Kryos Beach.

Day 3: Walk from Paleochora to Sougia, 15 km

Todays walk starts in Paleochora. You follow a dirt track into an undisturbed natural wilderness, then continue along a stunning coastal path 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.

Day 4: Walk from Sougia to Omalos plain, 12 km

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.

Day 5: Walk through the Samaria gorge, 16 km

Today you walk through Europe’s longest and most famous gorge: the Samaria Gorge. 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.

Day 6: Walk from Agia Roumeli to Loutro, 14,5 km

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 fir forest. From the forest, you continue on to the beach at “Marmara”. Great views to massive mountains at 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.

Day 7: Round walk from Loutro, 15,5 km

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. Depending on your flight departure tomorrow, you may need to travel back to Chora Sfakion by ferry today, and on to Chania or Heraklion.

Day 8: Departure

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.

accommodation

Nights in a double room in hotels ***

Hotel Aris - Paleochora

www.arishotel.gr

Hotel Syia - Sougia

www.syiahotel.com

Hotel Neos Omalos - Omalos

www.neos-omalos.gr

B&B Pachnes Pension - Agia Roumeli

www.pachnes.gr

Hotel Kyma - Loutro

http://kyma.com.es/

practical info

Starting on any day of the week, April-October. In case of heavy rainfall, the Samaria gorge may be closed. Last minute adjustment to your program may be necessary in that case. In April and end of October the Samaria gorge will be closed and guests will travel with the luggage to Sougia, take the ferry to Agia Roumeli and make a walk to the ‘Kastro’ and back (10 km).
The best time to travel to the Greek islands is between April and June and September to the beginning of November. In the summer months it gets very hot. Active travelers should either go in the spring time (when nature is at its best) or in autumn (when sea water is still warm).

The nearest airport to Western Crete is Chania Airport, but also the bigger airport of Heraklion is possible. From Chania Airport it takes app. 2,5 hours by public bus and from Heraklion app. 5 hours to get to Paleochora.
You may also book a private transfer from either airport to Paleochora by taxi with S-Cape.

At the end of the trip you travel by ferry from Loutro in 20 minutes to Chora Sfakion. From there you travel by public transport to the airport of Chania in app. 2 hours. The public bus from Chora Sfakion to Heraklion takes app. 4 hours including a stop-over in Vrysses.
You may also book a private transfer from Chora Sfakion to either Chania or Heraklion Airport.

GPS tracks are available on request.

Included

What is included:

· nights in a double room in hotels ***

· luggage transport from hotel to hotel

. Ferry ticket Paleochora-Elafonisos

. Transfer Kryos-Paleochora, Sougia-Irini, transfer to Xyloskala

· maps and detailed route description

· medical and baggage insurance

· 24 hours telephone support

What is not included:

· journey to the places of arrival and departure;

· lunches and dinners, unless otherwise indicated;

· visits and entrance fees - tips;

· the personal extras;

· any taxes;

· anything not specified under "The price includes."

Optional Services:

You may require in addition to the services included in the fee:

· single room surcharge;

· half board supplement;

· eventual transfer to get to the starting point or to return from the point of arrival, which can be quoted on request.

Is this trip for me?

This is the right trip for you if you have previous experience of hiking trips and a good fitness level. You'll discover Crete off the beaten track, a less touristic side of the island - gorges and mountains, great sceneries and untamed nature. There are some exposed sections, so this trip is not suggested to vertigo sufferers. Walking in the gorge may create problems to those suffering from claustrophobia. The perfect mix of sea and adventure.

Creta: from mountains to gorges

Creta: from mountains to gorges - 8 days

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Creta: from mountains to gorges

Creta: from mountains to gorges - 8 days

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