Hike the wild side of Crete
From an easy gorge walk to the highest summits of the island, with local mountain guides who know the trails, the region and the seasons.
Choose your route
Tap a route for the full guide: distance, time, difficulty, how to get there and what to bring.
Which hike is right for you?
| Route | Level | Key facts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imbros Gorge | Easy – moderate | Distance: 8 km · Time: 2.5–3 h · Descent: ~600 m | Guide → |
| Samaria Gorge | Demanding | Distance: 16 km · Time: 5–7 h · Season: May–Oct | Guide → |
| Agia Irini Gorge | Moderate | Distance: 7.5 km · Time: 3–4 h · Descent: ~500 m | Guide → |
| Agios Ioannis to Loutro | Moderate | Distance: ~15 km · Time: 6–7 h · Path: E4 | Guide → |
| Glyka Nera to Marmara Beach | Moderate – challenging | Distance: 8.5 km · Time: ~4.5 h · Path: E4 | Guide → |
| Paleochora to Sougia | Moderate | Distance: 15–16 km · Time: 5–6 h · Path: E4 | Guide → |
| Sougia to Agia Roumeli | Very demanding | Distance: ~20 km · Time: 8–10 h · Path: E4 | Guide → |
| Ancient Aptera Trail | Moderate | Distance: 12.8 km · Time: 4–5 h · Path: APO 01 | Guide → |
| Lefka Ori – Pachnes Summit | Moderate – challenging | Altitude: 2,453 m · Time: ~4.5 h · Elevation gain: ~430 m | Guide → |
| Psiloritis – Timios Stavros Summit | Challenging | Altitude: 2,456 m · Time: ~6 h · Elevation gain: 890 m | Guide → |
Local guides, no logistics
- Professional local guides with extensive knowledge of the area
- Carefully selected routes suitable for different fitness levels
- Small groups for a more personal experience
- Unique opportunities for wildlife observation and photography
- Authentic insight into Cretan nature, history and traditions
Included in every hike
- An experienced mountain guide who stays with the group for the whole hike
- Transport, with pick up from Chania town and its suburbs, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias and the whole Apokoronas area
- Entrance tickets where needed, and ferry tickets where needed, for example on the Samaria Gorge
- Hiking equipment: safety helmets where required and trekking poles
Read before you go
Our full guides with times, access, the return trip and what to bring, written by our mountain guides.
Imbros Gorge: complete guide
One of the narrowest canyons in Crete, downhill under a natural rock arch to Komitades. Open all year and far quieter than Samaria.
Samaria Gorge: complete guide
The classic full-day crossing from Omalos to Agia Roumeli, through the Iron Gates, ending with a swim and a ferry along the south coast.
Agia Irini Gorge: complete guide
One of the most beautiful gorges in Crete and far quieter than Samaria: towering rocks, pine and cypress forest, from Agia Irini village down towards Sougia.
Agios Ioannis to Loutro: complete guide
One of the most beautiful coastal hikes in Crete, via the chapel of Agios Pavlos and Marmara beach to the white village of Loutro.
Glyka Nera to Marmara Beach: complete guide
The wild south coast on the E4: Sweet Water Beach, Loutro, the ancient harbour of Phoenix and Lykos, ending with a swim at Marmara where the Aradena Gorge meets the sea.
Paleochora to Sougia: complete guide
A shoreline path along the Libyan Sea that passes the ruins and the Asklepion of ancient Lissos before dropping to Sougia.
Sougia to Agia Roumeli: complete guide
The wildest section of the E4 on the south coast: remote beaches, pine forest, rock formations and the old fortress above Agia Roumeli.
Ancient Aptera Trail: complete guide
4,000 years of Cretan history in one walk: the walls of ancient Aptera, Byzantine churches, Stylos, Venetian watermills and the Koiliaris springs, down to Kyani Akti and the Izzeddin fortress.
Lefka Ori – Pachnes Summit: complete guide
Conquer the highest peak of the White Mountains at 2,453 m, through the wild alpine landscape of the Lefka Ori, with views across Crete to the Libyan Sea.
Psiloritis – Timios Stavros Summit: complete guide
Reach the rooftop of Crete: Timios Stavros on Mount Psiloritis, 2,456 m, with its stone chapel at the summit and panoramic views across the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which hike should I choose?
Imbros Gorge is the easiest real gorge (8 km, 2.5–3 hours, open all year). Samaria is the classic full day (16 km). The coastal E4 routes run from 5 hours to a full day. Pachnes and Timios Stavros are summit days for fit walkers. Not sure? Contact us and we will suggest one.
2. Do you pick us up?
Yes. We pick up from Chania town and its suburbs, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias and the whole Apokoronas area.
3. What is included?
A mountain guide for the whole hike, transport, entrance and ferry tickets where needed, and helmets and trekking poles where required.
4. How do I book?
Samaria and Imbros can be booked online with the Book now button on their pages. For every other route, contact us with your dates and group size: the price depends on the season, the weather and the size of the group, and we will send you a quote.
Have a route or a date in mind?
Tell us your group and your level, and we will plan the day for you.