Welcome to Hooked on Walking holidays and our walking holiday in Western Crete. This particular hiking vacation which we have named Walking in Western Crete is available as a 7 night self guided walking tour. The highlights of this walking tour are detailed below with the daily schedule. During this hiking vacation you will walk the Samaria gorge (longest in Europe), Agia Irini gorge and Aradena gorge, the ancient city Lissos (Ruins from Hellenistic, Roman Byzantine period), ascent of Mt. Gigilos(2080m) with spectacular views. You will experience crystal-clear beaches to swim, coastal walks and picturesque fishing villages. The warm year round climate make this an ideal location for a spring or autumn walking trip.

Available daily 1st May to 10th October ( not July or August )
Level 2-3 self guided tour

Day 1  Arrival to Chania
Arrival to the airport of Chania and make your way to your hotel. In the evening have a wonderful dinner at a traditional tavern. Welcome to the gastronomic reality of the authentic Cretan cuisine!

Day 2  The Agia Irirni gorge
After breakfast you are transferred to the village of Agia Irini in Chania area and you walk through Agia Irini gorge to Sougia. This gorge provides a nice and quiet path next to a stream. A picnic lunch is recommended while in the gorge. Sougia is a beautiful village on the southern coast of Crete where we will have the opportunity to enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Mediterranean Sea. Overnight in Sougia.
Trekking time:     4 -  5 hours

Day 3  The ancient city of Lissos
Starting from the small port of Sougia, you will cross the beautiful gorge of Selinou and following the European path E4 we reach the ancient city of Lissos, an important centre of hydrotherapy in ancient years which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine era. Here you can visit a well preserved temple with mosaic floor dedicated to the God of medicine Asklipios and you will have much to admire by making a small loop around the city. Why not refresh yourselves in the cove before returning to Sougia.
Trekking time:     3 -  4 hours

Day 4  The peak Gigilos
Leave your luggage at the hotel to be transferred by boat to Agia Roumeli. Either by bus or taxi transfer to the plateau of Omalos from where we climb mountain Gigilos (2080 m). This is where the wild goats of Crete (Kri-kri) live as well as some of the most rare and highly threatened with extinction wild birds of Europe, such as the griffon vulture and the lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). Towards the peak there are some points that you may use your hands to climb (easy scramble, nothing technical). The summit provides spectacular views in all directions. You descend by the same route and you spend the night at a family owned hotel in the Omalos plateau.
Trekking time:     5 -  6 hours

Day 5 The Samaria gorge
A short taxi transfer takes you to Xiloscalo, the entrance of Samaria gorge, which is the largest gorge in Europe and one of the most beautiful that nature can provide. You walk on a good path in shady pine forest and beside a melodic stream. You reach the small village of Agia Roumeli, where you can relax and enjoy a swim. Overnight in Agia Roumeli.
Trekking time:     6 hours

Day 6 Coastal walk to Loutro
You continue your walk close the Mediterranean Sea (coastal path). We pass the picturesque St Paul's chapel, which was built on the sand next to the sea. After a much needed refreshing break at the "Marmara" beach, you arrive at the small port of Loutro.
Trekking time:     6   hours        

Day 7 The Aradena gorge
Ascend the ancient path until Anopolis village, a historic area from where the revolution against the Turks began in 1866. Here we see "authentic" Cretans with their traditional costumes that “take us back in time, to other centuries”. From Anopolis you will cross Aradena gorge (very beautiful and slightly more difficult than the previous gorges). In the way back to Loutro you can swim in the crystal waters of "Marmara" beach.
Trekking time:     6 -  7   hours

Day 8 Departure - Transfer to the Airport
For the last day there are two optional ways to reach the village of Hora Sfakion (or Sfakia), where you can take the bus back to Chania. Either 2 hours hike by taking the coastal path that crosses "Sweet water beach" (there are many fresh water springs, coming out of the pebble beach), or a 15 minutes boat ride from Loutro to Sfakia. Our trips ends at Chania and depending on the departure time we are free to shop and relax.
Optional trekking time:    2   hours

Difficulty:
The hikes offer a moderate trek with a maximum of 6 hours walk on rocky footpaths. Sometimes we cross-streams in the gorges and on the coast we walk on sand and shingles for short distances. Luggage transfer is not possible to Omalos therefore you take enough items for 1 night in your small daypack , your main luggage is moved to the following nights accommodation.

Accommodation and Meals:
Hotels in the main cities, local inns and village pensions throughout the trip (all with private facilities). The trip prices are based on double occupancy.

Participants should be in good physical condition with a little experience of self guided walking..

2010 Prices

How to get there
How to get there Flights into Thessaloniki:
The majority of flights into Thessaloniki from the UK are on a daily basis operated by Olympic
Airways. There are also flights by British Airways, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Air France, Aegean Airlines and KLM via Amsterdam. From end April to beginning of October the following charter companies fly into Thessaloniki on
Mondays and Thursdays: Kronos Airlines, Britannia, Crossair, British Midland and more.

To view other Greek walking holidays Halkidiki , Mount Olympus

Click below to view our
Cycling Holidays in Greece

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