West Crete walking holiday

"Explore ancient paths through incredible landscapes with ravines, natural springs, gorges, canyons, unique flora & fauna to the stunning Libyan sea beaches..."

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Itinerary

DAY 1: WELCOME & HISTORICAL WALK AROUND CHANIA
Meeting at Chania. Transfer to your guesthouse within the Old Town. Opportunity to swim at one of the nearby beaches. Early in the evening, we’ll walk around the historical Old Town to explore the beautiful architecture and monuments, the lively 100-year-old market and the picturesque Venetian harbour with its distinctive lighthouse.

As you stroll through narrow lanes and hidden back streets you’ll discover the neighbourhoods where once Christians, Muslims and Jews used to coexist, secret gardens, ancient ruins, parts of the Byzantine wall, the Venetian fortifications and buildings and Ottoman mosques and dwellings… myths and legends about invasions, occupations, resistances and independence will come alive and fascinate you. Supper at one of our favourite local taverns.
DAY 2: EXPLORE TWO OF THE LUSHEST AND MOST SOLITARY GORGES
The Gorge Kydoni is a small lush green paradise starting from the fountain of the village of Karanou. Along the route you’ll discover caves and small waterfalls till you meet the river Mavropiliotis and head west to the second lush gorge of the area, Boriano. You’ll be amazed by the dense vegetation, the tall oak and plane trees covered with ivy, the various herbs and wild flowers, especially in spring, and the many migratory & resident birds.

These 2 gorges constitute the perfect setting for our naturalist guide to introduce you to the unique biodiversity and flora of Crete. Our circular walk will end at Karanou village where you’ll enjoy a drink at the local “kafenio” with panoramic views to the surrounding mountains covered with olive groves. Time for lunch and a swim at the nearest beach!

Walking distance: 7km, 2.2 hours. Actual walking time: 3-4 hours. The path is considered easy.
DAY 3: ADMIRE HISTORICAL MONASTERIES & CAVES TOWARDS THE BAY OF STAVROS
We’ll start the day with a visit to the monastery of Agia Triada of Tzagarolon, often described as the richest and most beautiful monastery in Crete. Built by the Venetian nobles and scholars Jeremiah and Lawrence Tzagarolo, its architecture was influenced by the architect Sebastiano Serlio from Verona, Italy. It hosts a lovely olive oil and wine museum where you can taste various wines, olive oils and vinegars produced from the monastery’s olive groves and vineyards.

Our hike starts from the oldest monastery in Crete, Gouverneto, built in 1537 and situated on a rocky site near the entrance of the gorge Avlaki. Its architecture is unique as it resembles a fortress with four towers with bastions to protect its corners. It is believed it was founded by the hermit monks of the seaside Katholiko Monastery (whose ruins we’ll visit shortly) on top of a pre-existing ancient temple so as to protect themselves from pirate raids.

We’ll descend towards the sea and Avlaki gorge by following the stone paved path. On the way you will meet Arkoudospilio Cave, the ruined monastery Katholiko and the cavernous church of St. John, where the hermit lived. Our hike will end at the beautiful bay and beach of Stavros where you can enjoy a lovely swim and lunch.

Walking distance: 9km, 3 hours. Actual walking time: 4-5 hours with stops for observations and rest. The path is considered easy.
DAY 4: WALK THE SAMARIA GORGE, RICH IN PLANT & ANIMAL LIFE
The famous gorge of Samaria, the 2nd longest in Europe, is situated in the National park of Samaria, at the White Mountains. We’ll start the hike from the village of Omalos, from an altitude of 1230m and hike 16km down to the Libyan sea shore and the picturesque village of Agia Roumeli.

In the gorge you will find around 450 unique plant species, protected under international law, in order to safeguard this delicate ecosystem. You’ll walk past huge pine and cypress trees and you may meet its famous inhabitant, the endemic wild goat of Crete or “Kri-kri”. The walk through the Samaria Gorge takes 5-8 hours depending on your pace and it is totally worth it! Six hours is the normal time including stops to rest and appreciate the natural landscape and wildlife.

We’ll end the day with a swim at the deep blue waters of Ag. Roumeli and then we’ll take the boat to Palaiochora where we’ll spend the night. Walking distance: 16km, 5 hours. Actual walking time: 6-8 hours with stops for observations and rest. The path is considered moderate.
DAY 5: FREE DAY
A great opportunity to rest at one of the beautiful beaches of Palaiochora.
DAY 6: COASTAL WALK ALONG THE E4 PATH TO THE INCREDIBLE ELAFONISI
Today we’ll start early in the morning from Palaiochora and walk along the European hiking route E4 towards the cedar forest and the stunning Elafonisi. Elafonisi is a peninsula of exceptional natural beauty, part of the Natura 2000 Protection Program. You’ll walk through the sea to reach its small islet, lie at its small coves and sandy beaches and admire its interesting rock formations as the island stretches out into the sea and into the sunset. You’ll return by boat to Palaiochora in the evening.

Walking distance: 10 km, 3.1 hours. Actual walking time: 4-5 hours with stops for observations and rest. The path is considered easy to moderate.
DAY 7: WALK TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF LISSOS & SOUGIA VILLAGE
Another amazing coastal hike that crosses beautiful beaches and coves as well as the archaeological site of Lissos. We’ll explore Lissos and soak up its incredibly peaceful atmosphere, its Asklepeio temple, the Roman necropolis and the two chapels with interesting frescoes. You’ll enjoy a swim and continue walking to the laid back village of Sougia. Lunch and rest before taking the boat back to Palaiochora.

Walking distance: Option for 9km or 16km, 3-5 hours. Actual walking time: 4-6 hours with stops to swim, visit Lissos and rest. The path is considered moderate.
DAY 8: COASTAL WALK ALONG THE INCREDIBLE SHORES OF THE LIBYAN SEA
From Agia Roumeli starts an incredibly beautiful coastal walk which is part of the European E4 hiking trail that leads to Loutro and Chora Sfakion. You’ll enjoy a relaxed walk towards Agios Pavlos beach where you’ll swim, snorkel and enjoy the turquoise colours, vastness and remoteness of the south beaches of Crete. We’ll continue towards Marmara beach where we’ll stop for lunch. We’ll eventually end our walk at the picturesque port of Loutro where we’ll spend the night.

Walking distance: 13km, 4.5 hours. Actual walking time: 6-8 hours. The path is considered moderate.
DAY 9: VISIT TO HISTORICAL ANOPOLIS & DESCEND ARADHENA GORGE
Today we’ll ascend the ancient path to the historical Anopolis village, the centre of revolutionary activities against the Venetians and the Turks. Traces of the ancient city are still visible. Time to have lunch and a break and experience the authentic village culture of Crete. From Anopolis we will walk to the abandoned Aradhena village before descending through the Aradhena gorge back to Marmara beach. Several pairs of griffon vultures nest in the cliffs of the gorge and we look forward to spot them for you. After a swim in the crystal waters of Marmara beach we’ll return to Loutro.

Walking distance: 11km, 5 hours. Actual walking time: 7-8 hours. The path is considered moderate.
DAY 10: WALK THROUGH THE IMPOSING IMBROS GORGE
We’ll start from the picturesque village of Imbros built at an altitude of 780m which is inhabited mainly from spring till autumn as in the winter it is covered with snow. The gorge will fascinate you with its fig trees, almond tress and cypresses and its wild flowers . It is an easy downhill 8km walk till you reach the village of Komitades.

Imbros gorge became a refuge for Christians during the Turkish occupation and a base for revolutionaries. For Australians, New Zealanders and some British, walking through the gorge of Imbros is almost a pilgrimage. Many Allied troops walked through the gorge in May 1941 in order to escape the island to Egypt. We’ll end the day with a swim and a beautiful meal by the sea.

Walking distance: 8km, 2.5 hours. Actual walking time: 4-5 hours with stops for observations and rest. The path is considered easy.
DAY 11: RETURN TO CHANIA IN THE MORNING

Map

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