Southwest Crete Trekking Tour

Southwest Crete Trekking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Paleochora, Crete

Your trekking adventure of Southwest Crete begins today with your arrival in Paleochora. You can book a transfer during the booking process for your travels to Paleochora from the airport or you can opt to book this independently.

Depending on your flight schedule, you'll have time for a first stroll through the pleasant seaside town of Paleochora, whose population of 1800 makes it one of the largest villages on the south-west coast. There is a Venetian fortress and several sandy and rocky beaches to explore at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Paleochora
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Explore Anidri Gorge

Following a good night’s rest, you’ll be transferred by taxi this morning following breakfast to the village Azogires where your walk starts along the ‘Monastery of the 99 Monks’-trail. You will encounter a variety of scenery today including olive groves, the quiet hilltop village of Anidri with its Byzantine church, the small gorge of Anidri, the tranquil beach of Gialiskari and a coastal stretch back into Paleochora! Opt to take a refreshing dip in the inviting blue water following your walk on the coast.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Paleochora
Distance: 10.5km, 75m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Coastal Walk from Paleochora to Sougia

Todays walk starts right from Paleochora as you set out on a dirt track into an undisturbed natural wilderness before ontinuing along a stunning coastal path (E4) overlooking the sea. You will pass ancient Lissos, an important harbour for the Dorian city of Elyros, which once boasted a population of 30,000 at its peak. In ancient times, people came to Lissos to be cured by the local waters. You can enjoy a picnic lunch at this historic spot and swim in the curative waters before heading further east to Sougia, by way of a beautiful narrow gorge.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sougia
Distance: 15km, 375m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Mountain Walk from Sougia to the Omalos Plateau

Today you’ll traverse two impressive gorges, from sea level up to 1000m! You’ll first walk through the impressive Irini Gorge along a well-made path. The ascent is demanding but not too steep! Leaving the Irini Gorge behind, you’ll walk into the steeper Figou Gorge. From a certain height onwards, you will enjoy stunning views. The walk ends at a chapel known as ‘Agios Theodoros’, where the hotel's minibus will pick you up. Your hotel is on the Omalos plain surrounded by the spectacular summits of the White Mountains—a picture-perfect setting for the evening!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Omalos plateau
Distance: 12, 16 or 21km, up to 1200m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Walking the Samaria Gorge

The Samaria gorge is open from the 1st May onwards until the autumn rains start, usually at end of October. Today you will walk through Europe’s longest and most famous gorge: the Samaria Gorge. You can either start very early or rather late, avoiding the crowds of people who walk the gorge as a day trip.

During quieter hours, you'll enjoy the true beauty of this spectacular gorge. You’ll then spend the night in the seaside village of Agia Roumeli, at the end of the gorge. There will still be plenty of time for a relaxing swim in the crystal clear Lybian sea before you set off for dinner at one of the local taverns in Agia Roumeli.

Please note that the gorge can be closed by authorities in case of extreme weather conditions.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Agia Roumeli
Distance: 16.3km, 50m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Coastal Walk from Agia Roumeli to Loutro

A splendid coastal walk with lots of variety is on the agenda today! First, you’ll walk along the beach to the Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos, then it’s on to a higher elevation through enchanted fir forest. From the forest, you’ll continue on to the beach at “Marmara”. Superb views over the mountains appear on your left with the sparkling blue sea dazzling on your right. There's a tavern on the small beach at Marmara, and you may want to enjoy a swim here as well! From Marmara, you'll venture another hour along the stunning coast to reach the car-free village of Loutro.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Loutro
Distance: 14.7km, 275m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Circular Walk from Loutro

This morning following a hearty breakfast you’ll take a steep zig-zag path up to the charming village of Anopolis. From here you’ll walk further on to ancient Aradhena, situated at the edge of the impressive Aradhena Gorge! A spectacular path takes you down into the Aradhena Gorge all the way to the coast. The last part of today's walk follows a path along the coast back to Loutro. It is possible to do a shorter route of 4 hrs today, via the tiny village of Livaniana, then descend via the Aradhena Gorge to the sea.

Depending on your flight departure tomorrow, you may need to travel back to Chora Sfakion by ferry today, and on to Chania or Heraklion.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Loutro
Distance: 8.7 to 15.7km, 460 to 840m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Departure

Today you travel back to Chora Sfakion by ferry in the morning and, from there, by public transport or pre-booked transfer to Chania or Heraklion Airport. Then, it’s time to depart from one of the most beautiful areas of Crete with a week’s worth of incredible memories in tow.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast