Exploring Crete

Hiking

Immerse yourself in a natural wonderland

Hiking Crete is the best way to see
beautiful landscapes and explore vast wilderness areas.
So grab a pack and put on your walking boots.

Selections

Hiking Gorges

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Hiking

The E4 Trail

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Selections

The Great Walks

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The best way to explore Crete is to walk off the beaten track, beyond the places reached by car, follow ancient paths, explore the magnificent scents of herbs in the canyons, climb on the tops of the highest mountains and enjoy the view to the deep blue Cretan and South Cretan Sea on the horizon.

A large part of trails runs through areas that have been declared protected. The most famous of these is the National Reserve of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), one of the seven reserves of Greece, which is home to Samaria Gorge. Other protected areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as areas labeled as Natura 2000, are the entire ranges of Dikti, Ida (Psiloritis), Kedros, Asterousia, Youchtas and Thripti, the peninsulas Gramvousa, Rodopos and Sidero, all the islands that surround the island and special sites like Lafonissi, Georgioupolis, Cape Lithino, the rocky coastline west of Rethymnon, etc.

Moreover, lovers of geo-tourism can discover new places, especially after the declaration of Psiloritis Range and Sitia mountains as designated Geoparks. Such projects aim at promoting such places and providing information about them.

Many travel agencies offer packages and expert guides for trekking on the island and there are many hiking and mountaineering clubs. Important mountain races are also organized, such as Psiloritis Race and the Marathon of Samaria.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.17 (6 Votes)
Trail Katsiveli - Niatos - Askyfou

This is probably the harderst part of the entire Cretan E4 path, but also one of the most amazing sceneries you could ever imagine. The signing of E4 with poles and brushed marks is quite sufficient, but we have to be careful for not losing our directions. This course has some steep passages, thus it is not suggested to cross it in winter when snow is high.

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1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.29 (7 Votes)
Trail Tzermiado - Nissimos - Karfi

From Tzermiado the E4 European Trail follows the road that climbs to the plateau Onisimos. We cross the small plateau, where the church of St. Ariadne is sited, follow the uphill path that passes from the ancient terraces used for cultivation and reach the ancient settlement of Karfi. The view from the top is breathtaking.

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1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.20 (5 Votes)
Chalase Gorge at Sassalos

Gorge Chalase or Porofarago starts near the village Sassalos and ends before the village Makronas after 4 hours of course in dense vegetation. Crossing it is not very easy because at one point it has a large scree (chalase) and there is no trail.

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1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.00 (4 Votes)
Trail Kallikratis - Asi Gonia - Argyroupolis

This section of the E4 European path is the last running on the east White Mountains and is entirely on a paved road. The road connecting Kallikratis village to Asi Gonia then heads to Argiroupolis. The views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and the lush green area of Argiroupolis Springs are the highlights of this route. As the path runs along a paved road, it is suggested that you visit it by car.

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1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.40 (5 Votes)
Trail Kato Zakros - Pelekita Cave - Karoumes

This part of the E4 path offers nice seascapes and is not too hard. From the organized beach of Kato Zakros, the course runs northwards, alongside the rocky coast. It comes by the Cave of Pelekita and the ancient quarry of Pelekita, from where Zakros Palace material was extracted, and finally reaches the beautiful beach of Karoumes, at the exit of Chohlakies gorge.

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1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.38 (8 Votes)
Trail Matala - Vathy

One of the most beautiful trails in Crete that one may attempt in the area of Western Asterousia is the path from Matala to Vathy beach. The route is mostly along the coast, but requires good physical condition due to long distance (11 km), lack of a marked trail and it definitely required good sun protection

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