Explore walking paths and coastal routes on the beautiful Greek island of Crete
Explore the beautiful island of Crete on this 8-day self-guided walking tour. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, and it has a one-of-a-kind landscape for you to explore! Escape the crowds as you walk along remote coastlines to visit tranquil beaches and quiet seaside villages.
During the tour, you’ll spend some time exploring the breathtaking Lefka Ori, also called the White Mountains, where you’ll have a chance to challenge yourself on a mountain trail. This walking tour explores all the stunning coastline that you’d expect to see on a Greek island and features the superb natural beauty of Crete’s mountains and gorges that may come as a surprise! For a thorough exploration of this magical island, check out the details of the Crete Coast to Coast Tour.
Highlights of the Crete Coast to Coast Tour
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Crete Coast to Coast Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Start Your Tour in Vamos
To get to your hotel in Vamos, you can take public transportation from either Chania or Heraklion Airport, or you can make arrangements in advance for a taxi or a shuttle. Once you arrive in Vamos, spend the afternoon exploring the village.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Vamos
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk Through the Greek Countryside
A pleasant walk through the agricultural landscapes of Apokoronas. You will walk along several
villages, see a monastery, scattered churches and the oldest olive press of Western Crete. A pleasant
walk to familiarize with the area in this first walking day of the tour.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Vamos
Distance: 4 hours, 12km, 200m of ascent, 200m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hike the Nippos Circuit
Your route today is a loop beginning in Nippos. As you leave the village, you’ll walk through hills covered in cypress and olive groves. In the distance, you’ll see the Lefka Ori Mountains, which may have snow at the top if you’re visiting in the winter or spring.
Following your hike, you’ll be driven to your next destination in the mountains.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Askifou
Distance: 4 hours, 14km, 400m of ascent, 400m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Mountain Walk in the Lefka Ori
Today will be an exciting day as you hike into the Lefka Ori, also known as the White Mountains. The trail poses a challenge as you climb to an elevation of 1300m. You’ll love the quiet remoteness of the trail with no villages in sight.
At the end of your path, you’ll have an unparalleled view of the peaks rising above you before you begin your descent. The return trail brings you through a dense forest, but the occasional break in the trees offers beautiful views of the Askifou Plain below.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Askifou
Distance: 4 hours, 16km, 700m of ascent, 700m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Explore the Imbros and Sfakion Gorges
Begin your day with a quick transfer to Imbros. Stop in the village to visit the market for supplies before you start your walk through the Imbros Gorge. The path goes along loose stones of a river bed for about two hours, interspersed with short easier sections of trail. As you leave the gorge, you may want to stop in one of the tavernas in Komitades for lunch.
Your walk continues through farming fields and across the Sfakiano gorge until you reach the sea and Chora Sfakion.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chora Sfakion
Distance: 4 hours, 12.5km, 350m of ascent, 1100m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Hike to Loutro
Walk from Chora Sfakion to start your climb up through the Linga gorge to the traditional village of Anopolis. This is the perfect place to visit an authentic kafeneion and try a Sfakiana pitta, a local pastry delicacy with cream cheese and honey.
From here, you’ll follow a path with excellent views of the sparkling sea into a little bay and the village of Loutro. There are no cars in Loutro as it’s only accessible by ferry or on foot, so you’ll enjoy spending a peaceful night here!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Loutro
Distance: 4.5 hours, 6,6 km, 180m of ascent, 240m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Aradhena Gorge Circuit
Today you’ll be exploring the ancient paths around Loutro. Start your walk up a steep path that climbs up to Anopolis, and continue to the ancient ruins that sit atop the Aradhena Gorge. Follow the dramatic path through the gorge to the coast.
You can choose to continue walking the path that leads back to Loutro, or if you feel like shortening your walk, you can take another path that cuts through the village of Livaniana. If you have an early flight tomorrow, you may have to start your journey back to Chania or Heraklion today; otherwise, enjoy your last night in Loutro.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Loutro
Distance: 4 hours, 8,7 km, 460 m of ascent, 460 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure Day
Today, you begin your travel day after breakfast. You’ll take the ferry to Chora Sfakion and can take public transportation or pre-book your transfer to Chania or Heraklion Airport.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
The departure is available on any day of the week. Prices below are per person:
Departure on March 28th – June 26th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,050 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $875 USD
- Double/twin room: $625 USD
- Triple room: $475 USD
Departure on June 27th – October 10th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,095 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $925 USD
- Double/twin room: $625 USD
- Triple room: $475 USD
Departure on October 11th – 25th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,050 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $875 USD
- Double/twin room: $625 USD
- Triple room: $475 USD
Accommodation on Crete Coast to Coast Tour
This tour is based in simple 3-star hotels. The hotels offer basic rooms, but some of them come with spectacular waterfront views.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
If you prefer a single room or you are a solo traveller, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Vamos Traditional Village in Vamos ★★★★
Styled like a typical Cretan housing complex, this village sets a high standard for accommodation in Vamos. Enjoy a private balcony, a shared outdoor pool, and a scrumptious breakfast.
Panorama Askifou B&B, Askifou ★★★
The incredible views of the plateau and mountains beyond this hotel are impressive. It has clean, simple rooms and a beautiful outdoor pool.
Livikon Hotel & Restaurant ★★★
Ocean views from your room? Yes, please! This hotel is also home to one of the best restaurants in town, and it’s super close to the beach.
Kyma Hotel in Loutro
Recently renovated rooms and unparalleled views await you at Kyma Hotel. Be served by lovely hosts and enjoy your meals at the adjoining tavern—one of the best in town!
What’s Included in the Crete Coast to Coast Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Chania or Heraklion are not included but can be added as a supplement. You may also add additional nights at any of the stops on the tour as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for your luggage is included between hotels as outlined in the itinerary. Airport transfers are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Also Included
- Luggage transfer
- Transfers according to itinerary
- 24-hour assistance phone line
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
Not included
- Admissions and entrance fees
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes paid locally at each hotel
- Visas if required
- Personal equipment
- Fees not mentioned as included
- Gratuities for drivers, servers, or hotel staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Airport transfers
- Additional hotel nights in Chania, Heraklion, or at any of the hotels along the route
- Single room supplements
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
Frequently Asked Questions about Crete Coast to Coast Tour
S-Cape Travel Greece is a Greek outdoor company, established in 1994 and member of the S-Cape Group of companies since 2010.
At S-Cape Greece you find a varied portfolio of active and adventure trips that offer you a hands-on experience of Greece, having time to slowing down and appreciate the details: view the sites and landscapes, savor the specialties, meet and mingle with the locals and learn about the culture.
All our trips and itineraries are developed by our team of professional walkers and cyclists who have a keen eye for great trails, exciting itineraries, breath-taking scenery and good quality accommodation that share our vision on sustainable travel.
If you travel on one of our self-guided trips, you receive a Destination Manual with information on the country and a state-of-the-art Road Book with detailed route description, turn by turn diagrams of each crossing and explanatory text. On top, you can navigate the route in your own smartphone via our excellent S-Cape Travel App.
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Maria has worked in the Athens office of S-Cape for nearly 4 years. She’s discovered an even deeper love for her country through the process of helping others explore it.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead and why?
- A: My favourite trip is Crete “Coast to Coast” because you discover unspoiled Crete while following walking paths through wildflowers, lush valleys, and gorgeous gorges. You get to know the locals, drink wine with them, and taste the famous Cretan food in local taverns. You meet the locals of this village in the “kafeneion” and drink a “Raki” with them. You get to stay in a beautiful old restored house and enjoy views of the White Mountains whilst having breakfast. Explore the White Mountains and walk at an altitude of 1,300m gazing at the white peaks surrounding you. On the south coast, you walk through beautiful gorges. It’s just wonderful!
- Q: What are guests most surprised about in visiting your country?
- A: You hear how good the food, the sun, and the people are. It’s even better in real life!
- Q: What is one local dish anyone visiting should try?
- A: Greek salad, tzatziki, stuffed tomatoes, fried zucchini, and traditional souvlaki, of course!