Crete • Gorges of the Southwest

Travel from Chania or Heraklion Airport and arrive in Paleochora by public transport or pre-arranged taxi. Refreshed after your journey, stroll out into pleasant seaside Paleochora, population 1800. One of the largest villages on Crete’s southwest coast, it offers a Venetian fortress and several sand and rock beaches.

Take off by taxi to Azogires and begin the ‘Monastery of the 99 Monks’ trail. En route, olive groves lead to the quiet hilltop village of Anidri with its Byzantine church and popular schoolhouse tavern. Next you encounter the narrow Anidri Gorge and tranquil Gialiskari Beach follow by a coastal stretch back into Paleochora, where you pause for a paddle before returning your hotel.

Alternative programme offered June to September, Monday to Saturday: take a relaxing ferry journey to enchanting Elafonissi Lagoon and walk back toward Paleochora along the coast, stopping for a swim at gorgeous, remote beaches along the way. At the end, taxi transfer from Kryos Beach back to your hotel.

Challenge: 3 hours, 10 km / 6 mi, 75 m ascent, 450 m descent
Alternative walk: 4 hours, 10 km / 6 mi, 200 m ascent, 200 m descent

Set off from Paleochora on a dirt track wandering into undisturbed natural wilderness, then connect to stunning sea views on the E4 coast path as you trundle to ancient Lissos. Once a key harbour for the Dorian city of Elyros, Lissos boasted a population of 30.000 at its peak and since then people have flocked here to be cured by the local waters. Pause for a picnic lunch on this historic spot and enjoy a paddle in the therapeutic waters, then head further east to Sougia by way of a steep-walled gorge.

Challenge: 5 hours, 15 km / 9,5 mi, 375 m ascent, 375 m descent

Today you traverse two impressive gorges, hiking from sea level up to 1000 metres! Venture into the impressive Irini Gorge on a well-made path, doing a demanding -though not too steep- ascent. Next up is the steeper Figou Gorge, which offers stunning views as you gain height. Your walk ends at a chapel, ‘Agios Theodoros’, where you’re picked up for the transfer to your hotel, situated on the Omalos Plain beneath the spectacular summits of the White Mountains.

Challenge: 6 hours, 12 km / 7,5 mi, 1200 m ascent, 100 m descent

Hike Europe’s longest and most famous gorge, the Samaria Gorge, starting either early or late in the day to avoid the crowds of day-trippers. In these quieter hours, the true beauty of this spectacular gorge comes to light. Take your time and drink it all in, walking at your own pace to the end of the gorge and the seaside village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll spend the night. Later on 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.

The Samaria Gorge is open from 1st May until the onset of autumn rains, usually in late October. Please note that the gorge may be closed by authorities in case of extreme weather conditions.

Challenge: 5-6 hours, 16 km / 10 mi, 50 m ascent, 1200 m descent

Special notes:
If the Samaria Gorge is closed due to heavy rain, you ill travel to Sougia with the luggage transport, get the ferry to Agia Roumeli and do an optional 10-km walk to the ‘Kastro’ (no route description).
If the gorge is open but the ferry is not running due to high winds, you hike to Agia Roumeli taking just the things you need for the night. Your luggage will be sent to Loutro and you’ll pick it up there on day 6.

Embark on a splendid coastal walk, trekking first along the beach to the Byzantine church at Agios Pavlos. Next you enjoy a stretch with shade as you walk at a higher elevation through fir forests. The beach at ‘Marmara’, squeezed in between massive mountains to your left and the sea to your right, offers a tavern and spot to swim. The final one-hour section contours the coast as you approach the car-free village of Loutro.

Challenge: 5 hours, 14.5 km / 9 mi, 275 m ascent, 275 m descent

Conquer a steep zig-zag section up to the village of Anopolis then hike onward to ancient Aradhena, situated at the edge of a stunning gorge. A breath-taking path leads down into it and all the way out to the coast, then you circle back to Loutro. Looking for a shorter option today? Choose a 4-hour route via tiny Livaniana and walk down the Aradhena Gorge to the sea.

If you have an early flight tomorrow, get the ferry to Chora Sfakion today and spend tonight in Chania or Heraklion.

Challenge: 4 / 7 hours, 8 - 15.5 km / 5 - 9,5 mi, 840 m ascent, 840 m descent

Jump on the ferry back to Chora Sfakion and travel to Chania or Heraklion Airport by public transport or pre-arranged transfer. Say farewell as you depart from one of the most beautiful areas on Crete.

You can book this trip starting any day of the week from 1st April to 25th October.
The best times to travel to the Greek Islands are April to June and September to early November. In Summer it gets very hot. We recommend doing this tour in Spring, when Spring is at its best, or in Autumn, when the sea is still warm.