Discover the magic of Crete on the self-guided exploration
Crete is a dreamy destination for anyone seeking sun, sea, and spectacular walking routes. This 8-day self-guided journey combines immersing in traditional Cretan villages and exploring the island on foot. After this tour, Crete will always have a place in your heart. The landscapes are exactly as you’d picture: rocky outcrops, island vegetation, and cobalt sea all around. Walk among gorges, along the coast, and through authentic villages.
On this tour, you’ll stay in a few coastal towns to get a feel for the culture all around Crete. Meet the locals, share some raki (a locally-made potent spirit), and enjoy sweeping vistas from your cozy room. The walks are mostly moderate, except for a challenging ascent on the last day. You can go at your own pace on this tour, which means stop at whichever secluded beach you like and take your pick of taverns for delicious Cretan dinners. For a moderately challenging but super rewarding experience on Crete, don’t hesitate to book the Western Crete Walking Tour!
Highlights of the Western Crete Walking Tour
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Western Crete Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Vamos
You’ve landed on one of the most precious gems in the Greek Islands and the largest in Greece. You’ll likely arrive at Chania or Heraklion Airport and make your own way to the traditional village of Vamos. If you arrive early, a 4-hour walk to Georgioupolis could fill your afternoon. Enjoy the agricultural scenery, and pass through a few quintessential Crete villages with incredible sea views.
Later, settle into your accommodation and get a good rest.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Vamos
Distance: Optional: 4 hours, 12km, 100m of ascent, 325m of descent
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk to Nippos Village
After a lovely breakfast, leave Vamos behind for a few hours to explore the village of Nippos. Surrounded by lush land, you’ll walk among olive groves and cypress trees with mountains in the background.
Take a taxi from Nippos to Vamos and find yourself a tasty meal before heading to bed.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Vamos
Distance: 4 hours, 14km, 400m of ascent, 400m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Transfer to Chora Sfakion
If you did not do so on Day 1, you could go to Georgioupolis this morning. When you return, you will be transferred by taxi to another village, Vrysses, to catch a bus to Chora Sfakion.
Spend the early evening exploring this remote town that hugs the hillside overlooking the bright blue sea, and find a local tavern to grab some dinner.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chora Sfakion
Distance: Optional: 4 hours, 12km, 100m of ascent, 325m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Walk to Loutro
Enjoy your breakfast gazing at the sea views, then prepare to move villages. You have two options for today’s hike, one more strenuous than the other. On the longer route, you’ll hike up to Anopolis, where you can stop for a snack to refuel for the rest of your journey. Then, walk down a hill that offers spectacular views of the sea and reach Loutro. You’ll notice a lack of cars here as the village is only accessible by ferry or on foot.
Today’s shorter route leads you along the coast with minimal elevation gain but many great spots to dip in the sea!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Loutro
Distance: Short: 3 hours, 6.6km, 180m of ascent, 240m of descent
Long: 4.5 hours, 10.2km, 600m of ascent, 670m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Loutro Circuit
Set your sights on some unparalleled views today. After breakfast, you climb to Anopolis and continue along the path to Aradena at the edge of a deep gorge. Descend into the canyon that eventually opens to the coast and get those cobalt sea views once more. Keep going along the coastline and find your way back to Loutro.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Loutro
Distance: Short: 4 hours, 8.7km, 460m of ascent, 460m of descent
Long: 6 hours, 15.7km, 840m of ascent, 840m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Coastal Walk to Agia Roumeli
Today’s walk is a beautiful coastal stroll—sea breeze all day! The first stop is Marmara Beach, where you can take a swim, grab a coffee, or just keep going along the coast. You’ll be astounded by the mountain views as you walk along fragrant paths lined with trees and other flora.
You’ll probably lose track of time on today’s journey, but eventually, you will land in Agia Roumeli, a charming seaside town at the base of Samaria Gorge. (Note: Samaria Gorge is closed in April, so you will instead take a ferry to Sougia to spend the night.)
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Agia Roumeli
Distance: 5–6 hours, 14.7km, 275m of ascent, 275m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Hike Samaria Gorge
Have a hearty breakfast for a big day of climbing ahead (if you’re on the tour in April, your day will look a bit different). Start the journey with a serious ascent through Samaria Gorge, heading from the bottom to the top, which is a great way to avoid lots of tourists who usually hike the gorge in the other direction. Take your time to reach the top, but find some solace in the shaded area at the final push.
You’ll reach Xyloskala, where a taxi will pick you up and take you to the hotel in Omalos. (Note: In April, you will walk from Sougia through Irini Gorge, a similarly challenging walk with stunning views.)
Overnight Location: Hotel in Omalos
Distance: 6 hours, 16.3km, 1200m of ascent, 50m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure
Enjoy your final breakfast on Crete, then head off in the public bus to reach the airport. Leave this wonderful island behind with so many new memories!
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 30th – April 28th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,025 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $850 USD
- Double/twin room: $625 USD
- Triple room: $525 USD
Departure on April 29th – June 28th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,075 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $875 USD
- Double/twin room: $650 USD
- Triple room: $550 USD
Departure on June 29th – September 30th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,125 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $950 USD
- Double/twin room: $675 USD
- Triple room: $575 USD
Departure on October 1st – October 25th, 2024:
- Single room (traveling alone): $1,075 USD
- Single room (group of 2+): $875 USD
- Double/twin room: $650 USD
- Triple room: $550 USD
Accommodation on the Western Crete Walking Tour
This tour is based in hotels and guesthouses. Hotels are 2-3-star with select amenities and guesthouses are comfortable and welcoming.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. 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.
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!
Pachnes Pension in Agia Roumeli
A wonderful, family-run B&B in Agia Roumeli, rooms at Pachnes come with a refrigerator, air condition and free Wi-Fi. Enjoy the great location and the rooms with mountain or sea views.
Neos Omalos Hotel in Omalos
This hotel offers simple rooms in a gorgeous mountain setting, an ideal place to rest after a long day hiking. Your delicious breakfast will be waiting for you when you wake.
What’s Included in the Western Crete Walking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 7 nights is included. You can also book additional nights at any of the hotels along the route.
Transportation during the Tour
Taxi transfers mentioned in the itinerary are included in the tour. When you walk to the next town, luggage transportation is also included, most commonly done by the hoteliers. You must label your belongings and leave them with the hotelier in the morning (ask them where and when). On the bus ride from Vamos to Chora Sfakion, you will take your luggage with you.
Also Included
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
- 24-hour telephone assistance
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Guide services
- Airport transfers
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tourism tax if applicable
- Public transportation or ferry tickets
- Entrance fees of any kind
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Extra nights in any accommodation
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
Frequently Asked Questions about Western Crete Walking 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!