Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast

585 €, 8 Days

Discover “unspoiled Crete” while following walking paths through wild flowers, lush valleys, and gorgeous gorges. Get to know the locals, drink wine with them and taste the famous Cretan food in local taverns. This tour will take you from the fertile green agricultural area of Apokoronas via the White Mountains to the astonishing south coast with its famous gorges. You start in Vamos, a traditional village east of Chania. Meet the locals of this village in the “kafeneion” and drink a “raki” with them. 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 two beautiful gorges: the Imbros Gorge and the Aradhena Gorge.

Highlights:
♦ Traditional village of Vamos with its cobbled alleys
♦ Stunning views over the Askifou plain
♦ Experience life in a seaside town only accessible by boat or by foot

Arrival in Vamos

The nearest airport is Chania (CHQ). There are direct charter flights from some European countries directly to Chania, as well as domestic flights from Athens (ATH). From Chania (CHQ) to Vamos is possible by public bus, but is is not a good connection. You are advised to take a taxi from the airport to Vamos.

Heraklion airport (HER) has direct connections with many European airports. From the bus station in Heraklion city (6km from the airport, accessible by bus or taxi) there are direct buses to Chania (duration trip 2 hours). The bus also stops in the village Vrysses, near Vamos, and a taxi transfer from Vrysses to Vamos is included in this package.

You may travel via Athens (ATH) and take the night ferry from Piraeus to Chania, leaving daily around 9 pm and arriving in Chania at 6 am the next morning. There are cabins with comfortable berths on board and all cabins are en-suite.

Departure from Loutro

From the last overnight location, Loutro, you travel per ferry to Chora Sfakion in 20 mins and continue by public bus to Chania or Heraklion. In case your flight departs in the morning you have to either book an extra night in Chania or Heraklion or book a private taxi transfer from Chora Sfakion to the airport as to be on time.

You can also take the daily overnight ferry from Chania back to Piraeus.

View Full Itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival in Vamos
Travel from Chania or Heraklion Airport take public transport or a pre-arranged transfer to the picturesque village of Vamos. Rinse off the dust from your journey and stroll out to explore your surroundings.

Day 2 Countryside walk: Round walk from Vamos
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. B/-/-
Walking time: 4 hrs, distance: 12 km ascent/descent: 200 m/200 m

Day 3. Loop from Nippos and travel to Askifou
Start your circuit in Nippos, a village embedded in lush green landscapes of the Apokoronas District. Cypresses and olive groves carpet the hills with the Lefka Ori’s snowy summits in the background and you’ll believe you’ve walked right into an exquisite painting. After your route, a comfortable taxi transfer takes you to the next accommodation situated on the vast Askifou Plain beneath the aptly named ‘White Mountains’. B/-/-
Walking time: 4 hrs, distance: 14 km ascent/descent: 400 m/400 m

Day 4. Lefka Ori Mountain Walk
Steel yourself for a challenging mountain hike up to 1300 metres, where you’ll gaze at 2000-metre-high peaks covered with snow in spring. There are no villages in this remote area but you may bump into a shepherd herding his goats or sheep. It’s easy to see why the heart of Sfakia was sought as a suitable hideout over the centuries. Circling back to Askifou you walk down a gorgeous old woodland path through dense forests, peeking out occasionally for fab views across the plain. B/-/-
Walking time: 6 hrs, distance: 16 km ascent/descent: 700 m/700 m

Day 5. Walking the Imbros Gorge

Today’s walk connects you to the southern coast of Crete!

First off, a short transfer takes you to Imbros, where you procure some lunch supplies and venture into the island’s second most famous gorge. It’s a tough two hours on stony terrain along a rocky riverbed with the occasional easier section to boost your spirits. The landscape here seems other-worldly and, at its absolute narrowest point, the Imbros Gorge shrinks down to a mere 1m60 wide! Sit in silence to enjoy your lunch as you try to imagine the immense forces that created this striking landscape. Komitades waits at the end of the gorge, with an array of tempting taverns for a break. Once rejuvenated, you march off through farmed fields to reach Chora Sfakion, a perfect cluster of white-washed buildings that huddle beside the deep blue waters of the Libyan Sea. Top your day off with a refreshing, well-earned swim. B/-/-
Challenge: 4 hours, 12.5 km, 350 m ascent, 1.100 m descent

Day 6. Chora Sfakion - Loutro
Climb confidently up through the Ilinga Gorge to reach authentic Anopolis, where you meet locals at the ‘kafeneion’ and try some excellent Sfakiana pitta, a delectable sort of pancake filled with cream cheese and honey. Revived with new energy for the remainder of the walk, you traipse along a terrific path down to the village of Loutro, hidden beside a tin,y perfectly round bay. This dreamy car-free spot can only be accessed by ferry or on foot. What better, more peaceful place to spend the next two nights? B/-/-
Walking time: 4,5 hrs, distance: 6,6/10 km ascent: 180 m/600 m; descent: 240 m/670 m

Day 7. Roundwalk from Loutro
Via a steep zig-zag path you climb up to the village Anopolis. From here you walk further to Ancient Aradhena, located on the edge of the impressive Aradhena Gorge. A spectacular path takes you down into the Aradhena gorge which you follow until you reach the coast. During the last part of todays walk you follow a path along the coast back to Loutro. It is possible to make a shorter walk of 4 hrs. today via Livaniana (a tiny village) and then descend via the Aradhena Gorge to the sea. It may be necessary, depending on your departure flight tomorrow, to travel today back to Chora Sfakion per ferry and on to Chania or to Heraklion. Accommodation in Loutro. B/-/-
Walking time: 4 hrs, distance: 15,7/ 9 km. ascent: 840m /460 m; descent: 840 m/460 m

Day 8. Departure
Jump on the morning ferry back to Chora Sfakion and travel to Chania or Heraklion Airport by public transport or pre-arranged taxi transfer. Say farewell as you depart from one of the most beautiful areas on Crete. B/-/-

Price Includes:
7 nights' accommodation with breakfast
1 dinner in Loutro
All luggage transfers including the luggage per ferry from Sfakia to Loutro
Transfers on day 1 (bus stop Vrysses-Vamos),2,3 and 5
Detailed route notes and maps in English
24-hour telephone assistance

Not Included:
Flights,public transportation and ferry tickets
Airport arrival and airport departure transfers
Tourist tax
Travel insurance
Admissions and entrance fees of any kind
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses such as meals,drinks,phone calls,extra transfers etc.
Any items that have not been specifically mentioned in the program

Additional Services:
solo traveller supplement: 340 EUR (on top of single room supplement)
Transfer Airport Chania – Vamos: on request (vehicle; max 4 persons)
Other transfers: on request
Additional night/s at any of the accommodations along the way: on request

Gallery

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (1)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (2)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (3)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (4)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (5)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (6)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (7)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (8)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (9)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (10)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (11)

Crete Self Guided Walking: from Coast to Coast (12)

Crete - Walking from Coast to Coast (Rated 4.9 / 5 Based on 471 Reviews.)

Price

585 EUR

Duration

8 Days

Single Supplement

250 EUR

Status

Open for booking

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Tour difficulty A
B

No special experience is needed; everyone who is in condition to cope with long Saturday walks in the forest can also cope with these tours. As a rule, the trips are short and at a low altitude. Often, it is your choice to join or skip a day-tour. The routes follow a hilly terrain without steep ascents and descents. Normally we walk 3/5h a day.

Most of you, who are used to walking/cycling during a long weekend, will be in condition to cope with a tour of this level. You should be in a good health condition. We have successive days of longer and more difficult walking and days of lighter walking/cycling. Some parts of the day routes are done at a higher altitude. The paths are in good condition. We walk/cycle for 5/7h a day.

Group Size

Min. 1

Reservation System Code

GRCRESELF