Overview
An eight day, self-guided walking holiday exploring the extraordinary collection of gorges in Western Crete. Starting in the pretty peninsular town of Palaiochora, each day takes you to a new gorge, with five in total: Anidri, Irini, Loutro, Aradena and, last but not least, the iconic 17km Samaria Gorge. Spend a night in the sweeping landscapes of Omalos Plateau and, throughout this tour the island’s White Mountains are omnipresent. The trip comes to a close in the charming, car-free village of Loutro, which is only accessible on foot or ferry. Just one of many coastal gems of the week, making this Cretan odyssey an epic one.
- Palaiochora
- Omalos Plateau
- White Mountains
- Samaria, Irini, Figou, Anidri and Aradena gorges
- Monastery of the 99 Monks trail
- Loutro
- Gialiskari and other beaches
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Palaiochora
Arrival in Palaiochora which is a small town in the south-west of Crete, located on a pretty peninsula. Depending on your arrival time, you can go for a stroll along the coast, or explore the nearby Venetian fortress, Selino, as well as the several sandy and rocky beaches.
- Accommodation: Aris Boutique Hotel or similar in Palaiochora
Day 2: Anidri Gorge | 10.5km
In the morning, take a transfer by taxi to the village of Azogires where the walk starts along the Monastery of the 99 Monks trail. The walk takes you through a variety of scenery today, including the quiet hilltop village of Anidri with a Byzantine church, Anidri Gorge, Gialiskari beach and a coastal stretch back into Palaiochora.
Please note: Anidri Gorge is not accessible between June and September, when there is an alternative route from Elafonissi to Palaiochora.
- Walking for the day: 10.5km, 3h, ↑75m ↓450m
- Accommodation: Aris Boutique Hotel or similar in Palaiochora
- Meals: breakfast
Day 3: Palaiochora – Sougia | 15km
Starting in Palaiochora, follow a quiet off-road trail and continue along a stunning coastal path. This takes you past the ancient ruins of Lissos, an important harbour town that was once the Dorian city of Elyros, and boasted a population of 30,000 at its peak. This is a perfect lunch and swim spot, before continuing on to Sougia through a beautiful narrow gorge.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5h, ↑375m ↓375m
- Accommodation: Syia Hotel or similar in Sougia
- Meals: breakfast
Day 4: Sougia – Irini Gorge – Figou Gorge – Omalos Plateau | 17km
You get to explore two impressive gorges on today’s trek, walking from sea level up to 1,000m. The first is Irini Gorge, which you follow on a long but not too steep path, then continue on to the steeper Figou Gorge. The walk ends at Agios Theodoros chapel, where the hotel’s minibus will pick you up and drive you to tonight’s accommodation in the heart of Omalos Plateau.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 7h, max ↑1,200m ↓100m
- Accommodation: Hotel Neos Omalos or similar in Omalos Plateau
- Meals: breakfast
Day 5: Samaria Gorge | 17km
This is the highlight trek for many, exploring Samaria Gorge, the jewel in the White Mountains’ crown which is protected by national park status. We recommend starting the walk either very early or rather late, to avoid crowds and heat. You are transferred (7mins) to Xyloskala, where the walk starts. The gorge walk comes to an end at the seaside village of Agia Roumeli, leaving plenty of time for a swim before dinner at one of the local tavernas in Agia Roumeli.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 6h, max ↑50m ↓1,200m
- Accommodation: Pachnes bed & breakfast or similar in Agia Roumeli
- Meals: breakfast
Please note: Samaria gorge is open from 01 May until the autumn rains start (usually mid-October). It is also possible for the gorge to be closed at any time by local authorities in the event of flash flood alerts. If this happens, we suggest an alternative walking route for today.
Day 6: Agia Roumeli – Loutro | 15km
Today’s walk starts along the beach to the Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos, continuing on through a forest which takes you to Marmara beach. After lunch and a swim, there is another hour’s walk to reach the car-free, waterfront village of Loutro.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 6h, max ↑275m ↓275m
- Accommodation: Kyma Hotel or similar in Loutro
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 7: Loutro circular walk and Aradena Gorge | 16km
Take a steep, winding path up to the village of Anopolis and continue on to the ruins of ancient Aradena, located at Aradena Gorge. A scenic path takes you down into the gorge, and all the way to the coast. The last part of today’s walk takes you along the coast back to Loutro. A shorter route today is possible via the village of Livaniana and then descending through the Aradena Gorge to the sea. Depending on your flight time on the following day, you may need to travel back to Hóra Sfakíon by ferry today, and then on to Chania or Heraklion.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 4h, max ↑840m ↓840m
- Accommodation: Kyma Hotel or similar in Loutro
- Meals: breakfast
Day 8: Departure
Travel back to Hóra Sfakíon by ferry in the morning, after breakfast, from where you catch public transport or pre-booked transfer to Chania or Heraklion Airport.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, and B&Bs. 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
- Aris Boutique Hotel (Palaiochora)
- Syia Hotel (Sougia)
- Hotel Neos Omalos (Omalos Plateau)
- Pachnes bed & breakfast (Agia Roumeli)
- Kyma Hotel (Loutro)
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
The overnights are on bed & breakfast basis and one dinner on day six. Products for lunch are available in the local shops and, at Omalos, they can prepare a packed lunch at the accommodation (payable locally). In the evening you have a wide choice of seaside tavernas at all locations. In Omalos there is a limited choice, but the hotel’s restaurant offers good local dishes.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate to strenuous and is suitable for active hikers with a good level of fitness looking for more demanding and challenging hikes. The trip includes strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas: 5-7h walking per day; elevation gains between 500 and 1,000m per day. Some coastal sections go along exposed cliffs and can be challenging for people who don’t have a head for heights (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available between April and October. The best period to visit is between June and the beginning of October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Please note: Samaria gorge is open from 01 May until the autumn rains start (usually mid-October). It is also possible for the gorge to be closed at any time by local authorities in the event of flash flood alerts. If this happens, we suggest an alternative walking route. Anidri Gorge is not accessible between June and September, when there is an alternative route from Elafonissi to Palaiochora.
Crete has a Mediterranean climate, with mild and rainy winters, and hot and sunny summers. From mid-May to mid-September, the Meltemi (or Etesian) blows from the north-west. The southern coasts are more sheltered from this wind, especially in the coastal stretches that are located south of the mountains. For more info, see our blog, A guide to walking on Crete.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Chania Airport (CHQ). An alternative is Heraklion Airport. (HER).
By train or bus
- You can take a public bus from Chania Airport to Palaiochora. The last bus departs at 16.00. Duration of the trip is 1.5h. To check bus times and options for this journey, check KTEL buses.
- If you arrive at Heraklion Airport, you can catch a bus from the city bus station to Chania and then take another bus to Palaiochora. The total duration of the trip is 4.5h. If you arrive after midday, an extra night in Heraklion or Chania is recommended. To check bus times and options for this journey, check KTEL buses.
- You also may travel via Athens Airport and take the night ferry from Piraeus to Chania, leaving daily around 21.00 and arriving in Chania at 06.00 the next morning. Find more details about the ferry or car ferry.
- From Loutro, take a ferry to Hóra Sfakíon (20mins) and continue by public bus to Chania or Heraklion. If your flight departs in the morning you have to either book an extra night in Chania or Heraklion or book a private taxi transfer from Hóra Sfakíon. To check bus times and options for this journey, check KTEL buses.
- For more detailed information, use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights en-suite accommodation
- 7 breakfasts and 1 dinner (day six)
- Luggage transfers on walking days when changing hotels
- Ferry ticket Palaiochora-Elafonissi on day 2 if the alternative route is used
- Transfers on days two, four and five
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare, public transportation and other ferry tickets
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- 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. 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 at any of the accommodations along the way as well as in Chania and Heraklion
- Private transfers from/to the airport
Reviews
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