Crete: Mountains and Coast Guided Walk

Crete: Mountains and Coast Guided Walk

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8 Days From

$2061

Crete: Mountains and Coast Guided Walk

8 Days Starting and ending in Chania, Greece

Visiting: Chania, Crete, Lissos, Omalos Plateau, Samaria Gorge, Loutro

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

CMG

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 11

Physical rating:

moderate

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $2061

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes of Crete with the "Crete: Mountains and Coast Guided Walk" tour. This adventure takes you from the historic streets of Chania to the breathtaking coastal scenery of the southwest coast. Experience the thrill of walking through the Samaria and Agia Irini gorges, ascending the majestic Mt Gingilos, and exploring the ancient city of Lissos. Enjoy the serene beauty of the blue and white village of Loutro and the traditional charm of Anopolis. With comfortable accommodations in small inns and pensions, delicious dinners at local taverns, and the expertise of an English-speaking walking guide, this tour offers a perfect blend of nature, culture, and adventure.

Highlights

  • Experiencing the breathtaking coastal scenery of the south west coast of Crete

  • Walking the Samaria gorge and ascending Mt Gingilos

  • Wandering through the narrow streets of historic Chania

  • Walking through the Agia Irini gorge to the seaside village of Sougia

  • Exploring the ancient city of Lissos through the gorge of Selinou

  • Coastal walk to the blue and white village of Loutro

  • Visiting the village of Anopolis and crossing Arathena's Gorge

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive In The Venetian Styled City Of Chania

Location: Chania

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Arrive in Chania. A group arrival transfer can be arranged from Chania airport to the first hotel or you can make your own way to the joining hotel. The historic old town, once occupied by the Venetians and the Turks, is set on and around the hill of Kasteli overlooking the sea. Throughout the walled town there are numerous vestiges of past civilizations including many Byzantine churches. Elaborately decorated Venetian manors coexist with Turkish styled houses in the narrow lanes. Make sure you allow time to soak up the atmosphere around the charming Venetian harbour or the traditional market. In the evening you will meet your guide and group for a briefing, before dinner at a traditional tavern for your first taste of Cretan cuisine. Overnight Chania.

Day 2 : Walk Through The Agia Irini Gorge To The Seaside Village Of Sougia (4Hrs)

Location: Crete

Accommodation Name: Inn in Sougia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, you will be transferred (50km, approx 1hr) to the entrance of Agia Irini gorge, for your first hike. Agia Irini gorge trail follows a quiet path next to a stream, surrounded by pine and chestnut trees. Follow the trail towards Sougia, a beautiful little village on the southern coast of Crete where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Mediterranean Sea. Spend the next 2 nights in Sougia.
Distance 12km, altitude difference: 580m

Day 3 : Through The Gorge Of Selinou To The Ancient City Of Lissos (3Hrs)

Location: Lissos

Accommodation Name: Inn in Sougia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A cultural day walk through the beautiful gorge of Selinou, thick with brilliant pink oleanders and carob trees, to the ancient city of Lissos. Lissos was an important center of hydrotherapy in ancient years, which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine era. Here you will visit a well-preserved temple with mosaic floor dedicated to the God of medicine Asklipios and explore this interesting city. After a dip in the cove return to Sougia.
Distance 7km, altitude difference: 100m

Day 4 : Ascend Mt Gigilos, Overnight Omalos Plateau (6Hrs)

Location: Omalos Plateau

Accommodation Name: Family owned hotel in Omalos plateau

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Leave your luggage at the hotel’s lobby to be transferred by boat to Agia Roumeli village, at the foot of Samaria gorge. A transfer by mini-bus brings us to the entrance of Samaria gorge (at approx 1250m) at Omalos plateau, from where you will climb up Mt Gigilos (2080m). This is where the wild goats of Crete (Kri-kri) live as well as some of the most rare and almost extinct wild birds of Europe, such as the griffon vulture and the lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). Towards the peak there are some points where you may need to use your hands to climb (easy scramble, nothing technical). The summit provides spectacular views in all directions. You descend by the same route and you spend the night at a family owned hotel in Omalos plateau.
Note: your luggage will be transferred directly to Agia Roumeli, not to Omalos, so you will need to pack an overnight bag for this night.
Distance 10km, altitude difference: 850m

Day 5 : Walk Samaria Gorge, The Longest Gorge In Europe To Agia Roumeli (6Hrs)

Location: Samaria Gorge

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Agia Roumeli

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A short drive by mini-bus from the hotel will take us to Xiloscalo at the entrance of Samaria gorge. Samaria is the longest gorge in Europe and one of the most beautiful. You walk on a good path through a shady pine forest and beside a flowing stream. You reach the small village of Agia Roumeli for overnight accommodation, where you can relax and enjoy a swim.
Walk: 17km/10.5mi

Day 6 : Coastal Walk To The Blue And White Village Of Loutro (5 1/2 Hrs)

Location: Loutro

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Loutro

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Leave your luggage in your hotel's lobby to be transferred by boat to Loutro. Today's walk leads us along a beautiful sea walk (coastal path) on the Mediterranean Sea, alternating on sand and shingles next to the sea and about 50m above the sea level in pine forest and bushy areas. On the way to Loutro you pass the picturesque St Paul's chapel, which was built on the sand next to the sea. After a refreshing break at "Marmara" beach, you arrive at the small port of Loutro with its magnificent village decorated with blue and white houses. Spend the next 2 nights in Loutro.
Distance 14.5km, altitude difference: 150m

Day 7 : Walk To The Village Of Anopolis And Cross Arathena's Gorge, Return To Loutro (7Hrs)

Location: Crete

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Loutro

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Ascend an ancient path until you reach Anopolis village, a historic area from where the revolution against the Turks began in 1866. Here you can see "authentic" Cretans with their traditional costumes. From Agia Ekaterini’s church, just outside Anopolis, you have the chance to enjoy the wonderful view to the Libyan Sea and the south coast of Crete. Visit Anopoli’s square, relax at the coffee shop with the locals and return the same way to Loutro.
For strong hikers we recommend you continue and cross Arathena’s gorge that ends at Marmara beach and return to Loutro by following the E4 path. This big loop offers unforgettable scenery alternating between mountain trail, spectacular gorge and coastal path. Overnight Loutro.
Distance 16km, altitude difference: 650m

Day 8 : Walk To Hora Sfakion And Return To Chania (2Hrs), Trip Concludes

Location: Chania

Meals Included: Breakfast

For the last day there are two ways to reach the village of Hora Sfakion, from where you return to Chania. Either a 2 hour hike along the coastal path that crosses Sweet Water beach (there are many fresh water springs, coming out of the pebble beach), or a 15 minute boat-ride from Loutro to Sfakia. The trip ends at Chania where you can take a walk through Chania’s market. If we choose to hike to Hora Sfakion, we need amn early start in order to collect the luggage from the boat at Hora Sfakion.
Distance 6.5km, altitude difference: 150m
Group return transfer (70km/approx 1.5hrs) to Chania airport where the trip concludes.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    7 nights in small inns and pensions

  • 7 breakfasts - breakfasts are usually continental inclusive of breads, tea, coffee & juices

  • 7 nights in small inns and pensions on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. Single rooms available on request - supplement applies

  • 7 dinners at local taverns

  • Scheduled group transfer to/from airport on day 1 and day 8

  • Transfer from Chania to Agia Irini and from Sougia to Omalos

  • Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess

  • Entrance fees in Samaria National Park and Agia Irini Gorge

  • English speaking walking guide

  • Local taxes - VAT and the overnight stay tax

  • Travel to and from Chania and airport transfers except day 1 & day 8

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What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from Chania

    Travel to and from Chania and airport transfers except arriving/departing on day 1/day 8.

  • Meals not listed as included

    Meals not listed as included, drinks.

  • Single room supplement

    A supplement will apply if you book a single room.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is mandatory.

  • Entrance fees for additional sites

    Entrance fees for museums, monasteries, caves, etc.

  • Excess luggage

    Supplement applies for excess luggage.

  • Items of a personal nature

    Items of a personal nature are not included.

Accommodation

7 nights in small inns and pensions. During the trip you will be accommodated in hotels in the main towns and local inns and village pensions during the rest of the trip (all with private facilities).

Grading

GRADE 3 - The walking is graded moderate with 2 to 6 hours walking each day over hilly to steep terrain. There are numerous ups and downs in any hike in Crete and your preparation should include climbing and descending steps. A reasonable level of fitness is required. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, stair walking and jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure.

What You Carry

As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, water bottle, lunch supplies, mobile phone and sun protection etc.

Mode of Transport

Scheduled group transfer to/from airport on day 1 and day 8. Transfer from Chania to Agia Irini and from Sougia to Omalos. Luggage transfer is also provided.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 7 nights in small inns and pensions. You will be accommodated in hotels in the main towns and local inns and village pensions during the rest of the trip, all with private facilities. Single rooms are available on request, but a supplement applies.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Yes, the tour package includes 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners at local taverns. Breakfasts are usually continental, inclusive of breads, tea, coffee, and juices.

  • Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?

    Yes, luggage transfer is provided. You are allowed one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.

  • What kind of physical fitness is required for this tour?

    The tour is graded as moderate, with 2 to 6 hours of walking each day over hilly to steep terrain. There are numerous ups and downs, and your preparation should include climbing and descending steps. A reasonable level of fitness is required, and it is recommended to undertake regular exercise such as swimming, cycling, stair walking, and jogging two to three times a week for three months prior to departure.

  • What should I carry during the walks?

    As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements, including wet weather gear, a water bottle, lunch supplies, a mobile phone, and sun protection.

  • Are entrance fees included in the tour package?

    Yes, entrance fees for Samaria National Park and Agia Irini Gorge are included in the tour package.

  • Is there a guide provided during the walks?

    Yes, the tour includes guided walks with an English-speaking walking guide.

  • What is the mode of transportation during the tour?

    The tour includes scheduled group transfers to and from the airport on day 1 and day 8. Additionally, there are transfers from Chania to Agia Irini and from Sougia to Omalos.

  • Is travel insurance required for this tour?

    Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.

  • How fit do I have to be?

    Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.

  • What happens if something goes wrong?

    On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.

  • I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?

    Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.

Reviews of this operator

Katharine McLennan (Google Reviewer)  

UTracks is awesome. My...

13-Jun-2024

UTracks is awesome. My Assisi trip was one of the most beautiful trips I have taken in my 56 years. I wanted to walk by myself, and Utracks teamed up with a local Italian travel company to do everything for me—book the hotels and move my bags from hotel to hotel as I walked the track. The app was AMAZING. It showed the daily itinerary, and the interactive map told me metre by metre where I needed to go and whether I was on track or not. It was far more accurate than Google Maps, and I loved all the commentary on what to look for and what not to. The places I stayed were known as "agriturismo places." They are hosted by families on working farms. Those gorgeous families had farms and accommodations that sometimes dated back to 800!!! But all of them had done a fantastic job updating them to be modern, beautiful rooms. I loved how warm the hosts were and how much they appreciated my stay. There were seldom more than 5 people staying each night. The walk was fabulous -- and incredibly well-researched and noted. I was often the only one on the trails, but I always felt safe and looked after by UTracks in their 24-hour cover. I never had to use it - but as a single woman walking on her own through the Italian hills -- it is great to know that people know where I am. The preparation pack sent to me was also incredibly organised with equipment lists, hotel directions-- with all the contacts, and the contacts of the lovely fellow who would be taking my bag from place to place. He was fantastic -- and I also felt supported by him if things were to go wrong. I will definitely be working with Utracks again and can't wait to plan my next adventure.

Kate (Google Reviewer)  

Wonderful experience in Turkey hiking...

31-Oct-2024

Wonderful experience in Turkey hiking the Lycian way. It was unhurried, with beautiful scenes and access to nature. The accommodation was excellent with (truly) amazing home cooked Turkish food throughout. We felt a lot calmer, fitter and healthier afterwards.

Addy K (Google Reviewer)  

Great hike to sample some...

04-Oct-2023

Great hike to sample some of the best locations along the Tour Du Mont Blanc. Our guide Sara was great at maintaining pace and knew the route very well. The scenery was amazing especially the tall mountains close to our accomodation. The accomodation provided great 3 course dinners, and we got to sample French, Swiss and Italian food. This is not an easy hike, but as long as you are able to do 1000 mtr elevation gain hikes, this is thoroughly enjoyable.

Mike Burke (Google Reviewer)  

UTracks did everything they promised,...

23-Oct-2024

UTracks did everything they promised, but it is what they did above & beyond that stands them apart. We were caught in the fires in Portugal & they arranged transport to get us out of danger, changed hotel bookings to accommodate the new circumstances & made us feel very safe. We were more than impressed with the level of communication & service. I won't be looking anywhere else when I book my next trip.

Lisa Kibeiks (Google Reviewer)  

Fantastic trip! Well organised and...

18-Oct-2024

Fantastic trip! Well organised and everything went smoothly. Would probably split the two big 30+ days if I were to have my time again. The heat adds another level of difficulty. Accommodations were all different but all clean and welcoming. Meals were varied as we walked into different regions the food changed to what was local. We never had a bad meal or a bad stay anywhere. Highly recommend this trip through France. A nice quiet Camino compared to the Frances but far more challenging. Very enjoyable.

Patrick Shum (Google Reviewer)  

Hassle free self guided tour...

26-Jul-2023

Hassle free self guided tour around the most scenic Austrian hills and lakes. All our heavy baggage taken care of from hotel to hotel. Hiking not difficult at all, instructions are v clear. I recommend use online GPS map. In case someone want to shorten the walking, various options (bus / boat) provided.

Amanda Liddell (Google Reviewer)  

300km in 12 days from...

15-Jun-2023

300km in 12 days from Porto to Santiago de Compostela where a Cathedral stands as the most beautiful ‘Welcome’ imaginable. The accomodation arranged by UTRACKS was consistently excellent & the ease of only having to worry about carrying your backpack and what you’ll have for lunch is perfect. Yes, most days at breakfast you can make up your own bread roll and filling. Notes and directions were included but once you arrive in Spain you just need to look for the ‘shell’ and ‘yellow arrow’ to find your ‘way’. I am 67 years old & consciously chose to walk alone however I met some fabulous people along the way and finally had hours on end with ‘no headchatter’. There’s healing which catches you unaware & makes every step very worthwhile.

Kerry Andersen (Google Reviewer)  

We used UTracks to organise...

13-Jul-2023

We used UTracks to organise our self guided Portugal Coastal Camino walk. We were very happy with information provided for our walk and accommodation picked.

Ian Freestone (Google Reviewer)  

Recently two trips with utracks....

26-Aug-2024

Recently two trips with utracks. Mont Blanc self-guided and Austrian hike-bike. In summary, the experience is only as good as the local partner. In Austria, Helmut was amazing! Met with us prior - went over every detail of the trip, answered his phone if we had a concern. Mont Blanc, the partner would only communicate by text, did not meet us on arrival, and would not return calls even when we had an emergency. Other concerns we raised with utracks staff were not responded to adequately leaving the feeling that they had our money, job done.

Amanda Fairley (Google Reviewer)  

Self-guided Hadrian’s Wall Walk. The local...

24-Sep-2024

Self-guided Hadrian’s Wall Walk. The local agent’s documentation needs immediate updating to include current accommodation used and their locations. I also had to uncover (it was not proactively disclosed to me) a double up in accommodation location booking (same town over two nights but different accommodation 160 metres apart) by the same local agent which resulted in me having to walk two days of distance in one day, back track for accommodation on the second night and be charged for a 160m bag transfer! UTracks did apologise and the local agent covered my dinner one night as compensation, but the situation would not have happened if either UTracks or their local agent had reviewed their itinerary which would have called out quite loudly to them the messy issue, before finalising it and providing it to me. I was later contacted by UTracks to acknowledge my post trip feedback, but stating that both UTracks and their local agent had been in contact with me THROUGHOUT my walk. To be clear - I had one phone call initiated by UTracks after I had identified the issues and emailed them, and the only contact with the local agent were two emails and one phone call that I initiated to inform them of the issues they created, that I had to uncover. I wouldn’t describe that as anyone from UTracks or their local agent being in contact with me throughout my trip. It is important to not over state the service or support that people provide to a client.

1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Saturday

May 17, 2025 - May 24, 2025
$2061

Saturday - Saturday

Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025
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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.