Short Crete Trail - Walk through a selection of the most beautiful highlights
Duration: 6 days
Trails: T2 trails
Distance: 10 - 15 km per day
Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day
> Stay in cosy local Greek accommodation
> Walk through the beautiful Aradena, Imbros and Samaria gorges
> Enjoy the combination of green nature, sandy beaches, and Greek culture
> Accommodation before and after your hike is included
Crete is known as the sunny island and is about 250 kilometres (155 miles) long from west to east. Crete is also the largest of the Greek islands and offers a lovely and varied landscape. Walk through beautiful nature, along long sandy beaches and to top it off; hike through the famous Samaria Gorge! Enjoy the local helpful locals and delicious Greek food while hiking our Crete Trail.
We have put together a shorter Crete Trail that starts right at the Samaria Gorge. This option is also a lighter version of our 7-day Crete Trail. The hike ends in the small village of Imbros as well. Walk along and through the beautiful highlights of southern Crete and enjoy the Greek culture during this 6-day hike!
Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival in Crete
Welcome to Greece! Today you arrive in Chania and are expected in a pleasant hotel in Chania.
On this sunny island, you need to travel by yourself to the hotel we booked for you. We will provide instructions and help you with directions to and from Heraklion or Chania, but bus tickets or cab costs are not included.
Kriti Hotel (Chania)
Day
2
From Omalós to Agia Roumeli
Duration: 03:30 h
Distance: 14.3 km
Ascent: 90 m
Descent: 1230 m
Today you need to travel by yourself to the starting point in Omalós. We will provide instructions and help you with the way there, bus tickets or cab costs are not included. When you arrive at the starting point, a wonderful hike awaits you. With one of Crete's most famous highlights, the Samaria Gorge! You will pass through a varying landscape from mountain peaks to forests. During the hike, there are plenty of great spots to take a break and recharge. In Agia Roumeli, you are expected in a fine accommodation where you can recover from the first hike.
Hotel Agia Roumeli (Agia Roumeli)
Day
3
From Agia Roumeli to Loutro
Duration: 06:00 h
Distance: 21.7 km
Ascent: 900 m
Descent: 880 m
Today, you have two options to choose from. You can choose a more challenging and longer variant by hiking through the Aradena Gorge. If you go for this option, it will add around 6 kilometers and double the ascent and descent. You mainly hike along the beautiful coast in southern Crete. Enjoy the peace of the sea and the long sandy beaches. If you go for the Aradena Gorge option, then after the walk along the beach, you will have a beautiful hike through the rocky gorge back to the seaside town of Loutro. If you prefer to take it a little easier today, you can choose to skip the Aradena Gorge. Your stage will not be any less enjoyable as a result, as you can enjoy a long beautiful walk along the coast to the cosy town of Loutro. We described the metrics of the more challenging route.
Hotel Porto Loutro (Loutro)
Day
4
From Loutro to Sfakia
Duration: 02:00 h
Distance: 7.04 km
Ascent: 160 m
Descent: 170 m
Today day is a short walk mainly along the southern coast. Today the ascent and descent do not exceed 200 meters, allowing you to enjoy the mountains and green surroundings. You walk to the coastal town of Sfakion, a cozy village with enough facilities to fill the rest of your day.
Hotel Sfakian Horizon (Hora Sfakion)
Day
5
From Sfakia to Imbros to Sfakia
Duration: 03:00 h
Distance: 10.9 km
Ascent: 800 m
Descent: 30 m
The last relatively short hiking day takes you via the Imbros Gorge to the village of Imbros. This gorge offers you a green and rocky environment and you hike on well-trodden paths through beautiful nature. Once in Imbros, enjoy a Greek lunch after your final stage. You will then return to the town of Sfakia, where your last overnight stay is booked through us. We will provide instructions and help you with directions, but bus tickets or cab costs are not included.
Hotel Sfakian Horizon (Hora Sfakion)
Day
6
Departure day
After breakfast, you can check out. This is the end of your adventure in Crete. We hope to see you again soon!
Included
Excluded
FAQ
Walking on Crete: What, Where and Why?
The gorges on Crete
How difficult is a typical walk on Crete?
What is the best season to go hiking in Crete?
How to Book
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Contact our Trekking Expert
Annemiek Meulenbeld
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