Short Crete Trail - Walk through a selection of the most beautiful highlights

Greece, Crete Trail

6 days

T2 trails / no difficulty markings

Distance: 10 - 15 km per day

500 - 1000 ascent per day

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ

> 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

Arrival on 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)

Info

Day

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)

Info

Day

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)

Info

See entire itinerary

Included

Accommodation

We will arrange your accommodation on the Crete Trail in hotels, inns, and guesthouses. Accommodation will be private in single, double or twin rooms and with en-suite bathroom where possible.
Full travel guide

We will send you on your way with a digital travel guide which includes a route description, interactive Crete Trail hiking maps, and the most important information applicable to your trek.
Baggage Transfer

This trek includes the transfer of your luggage throughout the entire Crete Trail trek. Your bags will be picked up every morning from the hotel lobby and will be driven to your next next accommodation. Baggage transfers allow you to travel lighter during the day and enjoy the walk in a more relaxed manner.
Breakfast

Breakfast is, if possible, included in this trek and it will be provided every morning at your accommodation.

Excluded

Traveling to and from

You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.
Transfers

Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas etc.
Travel Insurance

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Lunch and Dinner

Breakfast is, if possible, included in the price of the trek. You can get lunch and dinner at the shops, hotels, and restaurants along the way.

Short Crete Trail - Walk through a selection of the most beautiful highlights