Overview
A week of walking in East Crete, through the UNESCO Geopark of Sitìa which clings to the coast and, as well as having superb beaches, has the Zakros Mountains as backdrop. Explore this remote region of Lasithi, its karst limestone shoreline boasting an array of ancient fossils, caves and gorges including Zakros Gorge, aka Gorge of the Dead because ancient Minoans buried their people here. There are also some ancient archaeological sites, such as Zakros’ Minoan palace or abandoned village of Hamètoulo, turning this coast into a sun-drenched museum.
- Vai beach and palm forest
- The Gorge of the Dead in Zakros
- Zakros’ Minoan Palace
- Xeròkambos beach
- UNESCO Geopark of Sitìa
- Knossos
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Palèkastro
You are met at Heraklion or Sitia airport and transferred (2h30mins or 30mins) to a hotel in Palèkastro, where our representative discusses the walks that lie ahead. You have time to take in the town and have a traditional dinner.
- Included meals: dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel Ostria or similar in Palèkastro
Day 2: Ìtanos to Palèkastro | 12km
After a 15mins transfer, the route follows a coastal trail passing a series of archaeological sites and beaches, including Ancient Doric Itanos, Roussolakkos’ Minoan settlement, Itanos beach, Vai beach, Vai palm forest, Maridati beach and Kouremenos beach. The first section up to Maridati beach is moderate, with several ups and downs on rocky and uneven terrain with thorny vegetation. The second section is easy, largely flat and on an even surface.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 5h, ↑500m
- Included meals: breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel Ostria or similar in Palèkastro
Day 3: Palèkastro to Kato Zakros | 16km
The first part of the walk is easy and leads through a rural area to Skiniàs beach. From here the route continues along a rocky and thorny coastal path to Karoumes bay, the intermediate point of the stage. Beyond Karoumes the trail becomes more demanding, following a rocky and stony coastal path along the cliff with several moderate ups and downs and a short exposed section above the sea. The final stretch passes notable rock formations and the Minoan cave of Pelekità before reaching Kato Zakros.
Easier alternative: from Karoumes bay, it is possible to follow Hohlakiès Gorge (1h30mins, 2.5km) to Hohlakiès village. From there, a transfer to Kato Zakros can be arranged locally.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 6.30h, ↑650m
- Included meals: breakfast, dinner
- Accommodation: Coral Rooms or similar in Kato Zakros
Day 4: Gorge of the Dead and Zakros | 14km
Today’s walk takes you to the famous Gorge of the Dead and then onto the village of Zakros. The gorge is so so called because ancient Minoans walked for miles to bury their dead in the gorge’s caves and walls here. From Zakros, you walk back to Kato Zakros following a track that has great views of the gorge and Zakros Bay.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 5h, ↑650m
- Included meals: breakfast
- Accommodation: Coral Rooms or similar in Kato Zakros
Day 5: Zakros to Xeròkambos | 10km
A shorter walk south towards Xeròkambos passing several coastal beaches. Before starting the walk, it is possible to visit the archaeological site of Zakros’ Minoan palace.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 3h, ↑250m
- Included meals: breakfast, dinner
- Accommodation: Faros Apartments or similar in Xeròkambos
Day 6: Xeròkambos walks | 11-21km
Three route options are available today, depending on preferred walking distance. Option one is a clifftop walk to Agìa Irini beach. Option two follows Xeròkambos Gorge. Option three combines Xeròkambos Gorge with the abandoned village of Hamètoulo before descending to Agìa Irini beach and returning to Xeròkambos. A rest day is also possible, with several beaches accessible in the immediate area.
- Walking for the day (option 1): 11km, 3.5h, ↑200m
- Walking for the day (option 2): 12km, 5h, ↑800m
- Walking for the day (option 3): 21km, 7h, ↑1,000m
- Included meals: breakfast
- Accommodation: Faros Apartments or similar in Xeròkambos
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, you are transferred by car to the airport or bus station of Heraklion (3h) or Sitia (1h). We also recommend extending your trip to explore the city’s cultural sites, including the Archaeological Museum, Palace of Knossòs, a walk along the Venetian walls and Koules fortress.
What to expect
Accommodation
Family-run 2 and 3-star hotels and guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms. Accommodation in Kato Zakros is basic due to strict building restrictions in this protected area. Sea-front rooms are small and converted from older buildings.
Click to view default hotels
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. Upon request the night before, hotels can also prepare lunch packets. Dinners are included on three days (Day 1, Day 3, Day 5)
Difficulty and terrain
The routes are classified as moderate and are suitable for walkers in good physical condition with some previous hiking experience (read more about difficulty grades). There are no steep ascents or long distances. Some short sections require attention and sure-footedness, although no scrambling is involved. The terrain alternates between rocky paths and dirt roads, with stretches of rough and uneven ground and spiny bushes that slow down the pace.
We will provide you with detailed road notes, maps and GPS tracks, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
The trip is available from the end of March to the end of June and from the end of September to the end of October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date in the season – so please indicate the desired beginning date when booking.
The climate is generally dry and rain showers do happen but are rare. In the spring the landscape is green and the flowers are blooming, while in the autumn the environment is drier but the sea is a perfect temperature for swimming. The summer is not so good for hiking, as it is too hot and there is not a lot of shade.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Heraklion (HER) or Sitia (JSH). Please note that the arrival airport transfer is included only if you arrive in Heraklion or Sitia.
By train or bus
- If you use Chania airport, you can take the local bus to Heraklion. For more information, use the Omio planner above.
- A discount applies if you arrive and depart from Sitia airport.
Inclusions
Included
- Welcome meeting with our local representative
- 6 nights in small hotels and guesthouses (private rooms with en-suite facilities)
- 6 breakfasts
- 3 dinners
- All transfers as described in the itinerary
- All luggage transportation during the walking days
- Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, route notes and maps
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers other than from/to Heraklion airport
- Lunches, 3 dinners, drinks and snacks
- Trekking poles rental €25 (6 days) payable locally
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
