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Walking in Crete

Lefka Ori - White Mountains of Crete - Panorama

Walking in Crete - the country for hiking, trekking, mountain climbing and tramping is beautiful all over this large island.

Being 260 km long by 60 km wide, at its widest point, the island has three mountain ranges, and is full of diverse ecosystems, with high peaks, rugged gorges, plateaux, bare rocky hillsides and thickly wooded coastal forests as well as fertile agricultural lands, rolling hills and olive groves. Crete is a wonder world for walkers.

Tour and independent walking options below for keen walkers.

8 Day Hiking Tour in Crete

Chania in the West

Rethymnon in the Central-West

Heraklion in the Centre

Lasithi in the East

E4 European Path in Crete

Mountains and Gorges of Crete

Walk to Loutro

8 Day Hiking Tour in Crete

Walking in Crete Tour - Samaria Gorge

RATING: 4.5 / 5 43 reviews | TOUR LENGTH: 8 days | BOOK NOW

Route for this tour:

Day 1 Join the group in Chania
Day 2 Walking tour of Chania; drive to Omalos Plateau in the White Mountains
Day 3 Hike Samaria Gorge to Agia Roumeli
Day 4 Coastal walk to Loutro seaside village
Day 5 Exploring Loutro - relax by the beach
Day 6 Morning relaxing; ferry to Chora Sfakion; drive to Zaros
Day 7 Hiking Zaros Gorge
Day 8 Drive to Heraklion airport where the trip ends

This 8 day tour of Crete offers glorious hiking and trekking for a maximum of 16 walkers in a fully guided tour. Begin in Chania and end in Heraklion, explore the mountains and enjoy blissful coastal walking.

Take the hike in the famous Samaria Gorge, relax in the coastal hamlet of Agia Roumeli. Walk to the blue and white seaside village of Loutro, and discover Zaros in the Idi Mountains.

Check Pricing and Availability of 8 Day Walking Tour of Crete

Walks in the West - Chania

Walking in Crete - the Lefka Ori - White Mountains of Chania

Walking in Crete - in the west of the island, as well as numerous beaches and lowlands, rolling hills and gorges, are The White Mountains known as the Lefka Ori.

These mountains are bare above the snow line (pictured above and below) and from a distance glow white, even in summer, due to the colour of the limestone, which is naked and reflects in the summer sun. These mountains are very high, with the highest peak being Pachnes at 2453 m. It is best to take a guided walk in this difficult terrain.

Portions of these mountains are included in the E4 European Walking path.

Take a guided tour in these mountains with Ann Deckel of Aori Walks. An organised walk with an experienced guide of 1 or 2 days or up to 7 days is a delight to explore these rugged landscapes.

The White Mountains in Crete are considered 'high desert'

Popular walks in this region include:

Samaria Gorge Walk - a 16 km walk in one of the deepest canyons on Crete
Agia Irini Gorge Walk - a 7 km walk with an extra 5 km walk to Sougia
Imbros Gorge Walk - take a day trip to do this 8 km walk with local meal
Aradena Gorge Walk - make a bungee jump or walk down 8.5 km

The Agia Irini Gorge Walk is 7 km one way

Walks in the Central West - Rethymnon

Rethymnon Fortezza - take a half day walking tour here

Rethymnon Fortezza - take a half day walking tour of the old town

Walking in Crete - take a walking tour of the old town of Rethymnon, discover authentic corners of the Old Town. Enjoy a Cretan breakfast in a quaint café, watch a handmade filo pastry workshop, and eat a traditional meal in a garden. This tour is only 4 hours.

Interesting walks in this region include:

The Amari Valley including Patsos Gorge
Kourtaliotiko Gorge Walk
Kotsifou Gorge
Prassano Gorge Walk
Climbing Mt Ida known as Psiloritis - the easy way from Nida Plateau or the hard way from Fourfouras, this is the highest mountain in Crete at 2456 m.

Psiloritis Range (image by Dimitris Pachakis)

The Psiloritis range is covered in snow in winter

Below you will see a video compiled by some Dutch hikers who love Crete climbing Mt Ida with magnificent views.

Below you will see the annual walk to the peak of Psiloritis (the tall one) which takes place on the first Sunday after August 15 every year from the village of Livadia to the chapel of Timios Stavros on the peak .

Walks in the Centre - Heraklion

Walking in Crete - in the centre of Crete your attention will turn to Knossos Archaeological site as well as the sites of Phaistos, Gortyna and Agia Triada.

When you have seen the ancient wonders, turning your head towards some of the dramatic mountain and gorge scenery you will not be lost for places to explore:

Small Group Walking Tour of Heraklion - visit the town and out of the way corners, try the local food
Aposelemis Gorge Walk - an 8 km walk
Rouvas Gorge Walk
Agiofarago Gorge Walk

Walks in the East - Lasithi

Zakros Gorge is full of flowers in springtime

Walking in Crete - walks around the eastern part of Crete include:

Lasithi Plateau walks
Dikti Mountains walks
Richtis Gorge Walk - a 3 km easy walk
Cha Gorge Walk - a difficult hike/rock climb
Zakros Gorge Walk - also known as the 'Gorge of the Dead'
Kritsa Gorge Walk - a 4 km moderate walk
Pefki Gorge Walk - a 4.5 km hike through a dramatic and wooded ravine

The Sitia Orchid (image by Andreas Loukakis)

The Sitia Orchid is native to this area

The E4 European Walking Path in Crete

Walking in Crete - the E4 European walking path in Crete starts in Kissamos in the west and ends in Kato Zakros at the eastern tip of the island, covering rugged and scenic country all over the island for 320 km.

If you decide to do all or some of the E4 path, this is the guidebook for up to date descriptions, maps, GPS data and information on all sections of the path. Written by a walker with climbing and hiking experience all over the world, Luca Gionotti, whose passion for paths shows through in his tireless work and interpretation of the E4 route.

The Cretan Way is the only guidebook you will need for this trail in Crete, with perhaps some maps, shown below.

E4 European Walking Path - map overview from The Cretan Way Guidebook

Walking in Crete
Hiking Maps

Sunflower guides are really great general guides to Crete with good maps and the Anavasi hiking maps can be used for different walks around the island.

Three Ways to Walk to Loutro
Seaside Village in South Crete

Loutro is a small fishing village on the south coast of Chania in the west of Crete, which today is still a tiny hamlet around a tight picturesque cove, with azure and turquoise waters, surrounded by natural beaches. The only way to access the village is by walking in or taking a boat. We share three walks into the beach below.