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
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Palèkastro
You are met at Heraklion airport and transferred (2h 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 (drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Hotel Ostria or similar
Day 2: Ìtanos to Palèkastro | 5h
After a 15mins transfer, you start your coastal walk through this area on a day that promises ancient archaeological sites, beaches, palm forests and much more. Don’t forget to bring the swimsuit with you. Ovenight in Palèkastro.
- Walking for the day: 5h (elevation gain 500m)
- Included meals: breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel Ostria or similar
Day 3: Palèkastro to Kato Zakros | 6h
The first part of today’s walk is in a rural area, bringing you to the coast at Skiniàs. Follow a coastal path past some striking rock formations and a Minoan cave as far as the pretty village of Kato Zakros.
- Walking for the day: 6h (elevation gain 650m)
- Included meals: breakfast, dinner (drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Coral Rooms in Kato Zakros
Day 4: Gorge of the Dead and Zakros | 5h
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: approx 5h (elevation gain 650m)
- Included meals: breakfast, dinner (no bevareges included)
- Accommodation: Coral Rooms in Kato Zakros
Day 5: Zakros to Xeròkambos | 3h
Today is a shorter walk to the coastal village of Xeròkambos passing some fantastic beaches. Before starting your walk, take some time to visit the archaeological site at Zakros’ Minoan palace.
- Walking for the day: 3h (elevation gain 250m)
- Included meals: breakfast, dinner (drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Livikò View
Day 6: Xeròkambos walks | 3 to 7h
Depending on how much would you like to walk today you can choose between three routes: a clifftop walk to Agìa Irini beach, Xeròkambos Gorge or a longer walk to Xeròkambos Gorge and the abandoned village of Hamètoulo, then down to the Agìa Irini beach and back to Xeròkambos. You may also just want to have a day at the beach and you are spoiled for choice here, with an array of crystalline coastal idylls.
- Walking for the day (option 1): 3.5h (elevation gain 200m)
- Walking for the day (option 2): 5h (elevation gain 800m)
- Walking for the day (option 3): 7h (elevatioin gain 1,000m)
- Included meals: breakfast
- Accommodation: Livikò View
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, you are transferred by car to the airport or bus station of Heraklion (3h). We also recommending 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.
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 four days in selected tavernas.
Difficulty and terrain
The routes can be classified as easy to moderate, and are appropriate for all walkers in good physical shape and some previous experience (read more about difficulty grades). There are no steep ascents or long distances, just a few sections requiring a bit of attention and sure-footedness (no scrambling sections). You mostly follow rocky paths and dirt roads, sometimes with rough and uneven ground that slows 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 end of March to June and in 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
- 4 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, 2 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
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; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
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