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.

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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.

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Trail Kamares - Vorizia - Zaros

The E4 part connecting Kamares to Zaros is mainly signed with red marks and most of it runs along dirt and paved roads. The route offers nice views to the south outskirts of Psiloritis Range and the historical importance of the villages we come through is high.

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Trail Rouvas Wood - Giristi - Prinos - Asites

This part of the E4 trail connects the core of Rouvas Wood to the east outskirts of Psiloritis mount and gives its position to the next trail crossing the fertile valleys of Heraklion prefecture. It is quite tiring, as it ascends from altitude 950m to 1779m and then descends to 490m. The route offers a great experience of the oak wooded forest of Rouvas, the bare peaks of East Priloritis and, if you are lucky, a nice stay in the shelter of Prinos.

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Trail Kapetaniana - Agios Ioannis - Salamias

This route connects Kapetaniana with Agios Ioannis and then heads west to the beach of Salamias. The first part to Agios Ioannis on the side of the wild gorge of Goula is fairly steep and instable in some places. Then we meet the village of Agios Ioannis and the cavernous temple of the old monastery of Saint John.

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Trail Nida - Akolita - Kamares

This is one of the most popular and well signed parts of the E4 European Trail, ascending to the highest peak of Crete, Timios Stavros (2456m). The course offers amazing views to almost entire island, as in clear days, we can see even Gavdos island. We usually meet snow from early winter months to early summer.

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1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.67 (3 Votes)
Trail Anogia - Zominthos - Nida

This part of the E4 European trail starts from Anogia, arrives at ancient Zominthos and finishes at Nida Plateau. Due to being quite long, it is used to split the trail into two parts (Anogia - Zominthos and Zominthos - Nida). The route offers a very good experience of the typical rocky terrain of the Range Psiloritis. During winter, it is very possible to meet snow.

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Ligiofarago Gorge

Ligiofarago is one of the few canyons of East Asterousia range that one can walk down to the sea without needing technical equipment. Recently the path has been signed, connecting Achendrias to Maridaki, running through the gorge.

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Trail Ziros - Skalia - Zakros

From Ziros, the E4 European trail heads northeastwards and soon enters a dirt road that leads to ruined historic settlement Skalia. From Skalia we walk north and east, we pass a small plateau and then descend to Ano Zakros springs.

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Trail Thrypti - Orino - Chrissopigi - Dafni

This E4 part starts from the village Thrypti and heads southeastwards and through dirt roads finishes at Dafni village. The route is very easy, thus being ideal for cycling. The trail comes through the lush green village Orino, the starting point of Orino Gorge. The route continues to the east and crosses the village Hrissopigi, before ending at Dafni.

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