Crete White Mountains Hiking Tour

On this Crete White Mountains hiking tour, you will spend 8 days exploring some of the most emblematic spots of the "Great Island", including Chania, Samaria Gorge, Mount Gigilos, and more!

Montagnes Blanches (Appalaches)

8 Days

May - Oct

High

Intermediate

Highlights

* Discover ancient paths, shepherd trails and the amazing coastline of Greece.

* Walk through the famous Samaria Gorge, the largest gorge in Europe!

* Enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Crete beaches.

* Climb Mount Giglios, visit Chania, and spend time in lovely Loutro.

Description

On this 8-day Crete White Mountains hiking tour, you will experience the magic of this amazing Greek Island and explore some of its most beautiful spots.

We will start the adventure from Chania, an amazing town with a historical port and the gorgeous White Mountains as a backdrop. From there, every day will be an adventure as we traverse through gorgeous gorges and swim in the beautiful turquoise beaches that Crete is famous for. We will have the chance to stop at a local fishing town, and also hear the twinkle of goat bells in the meadows. Additionally, we will have the chance to enjoy the delicious local cuisine on the way. You can find a detailed itinerary below.

Keep in mind that the hiking level of this trip is moderate to strenuous. We will hike to the summit of Mount Giglios and do some scrambling there, as well as spend many hours covering the awe-inspiring trails of Crete’s White Mountains. Therefore, a good fitness level is a must. If you have any questions about the intensity of the hikes and your preparation level, please feel free to ask. Of course, we will be there to help and guide you every step of the way!

So, are you ready to discover the amazing Crete White Mountains? Then contact us today to start planning this unforgettable hiking tour in Greece!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees

- Clean drinkable water

Price details

INCLUDED

All accommodations as listed (or similar) based on double occupancy

Services of an English-speaking tour leader/guide throughout the tour

All transportation during the trip

Entrance fees at the Gorges of Agia Irini and Samaria

A bottle of water per day

Hotel stay over taxes and service charges

Transport and handling of one reasonably sized suitcase and one carry-on per person

Included meals: Day 1: Dinner / Day 2-7: Breakfast /Lunch / Dinner / Day 8: Breakfast

NOT INCLUDED

Domestic and/or international airfare

Medical expenses, travel or emergency evacuation insurance

Gratuities for leader/guide or driver

Alcoholic beverages and meals other than outlined in itinerary

Transfer to and from the airport/port

Other items of personal nature

Itinerary

Day 1: Chania

Chania is a beautiful location that boasts a historical harbor, a busy market, beautiful beaches, and the White Mountains in the background.

We will meet at your hotel in the afternoon for a trip briefing and enjoy delicious Cretan-style Mediterranean cuisine on our first dinner together in a traditional local restaurant.

Overnight in Chania.

Day 2: Agia Irini Gorge and Omalos Plateu

Our hike begins as we access the White Mountains through the narrow Agia Irini Gorge.

On the way, we will enjoy the lush and diverse vegetation and giant ancient plane trees until we reach the village of Agia Irini.

From there, we will transfer to the Omalos Plateau, at an altitude of more than 1000 meters.

Overnight in Omalos.

Hiking distance: 7 km / Hiking Duration: 3h 30min
Driving from: Chania to Entrance of the gorge 70km, 1h 30min

Day 3: Mount Gigilos

We will climb Mt. Gigilos, reaching the 2080 m summit of this legendary peak that overlooks Samaria.

The north face seems daunting, with a vertical slope of solid rock, but go around the back and get to the summit with just a little scrambling.

Bearded vultures, the biggest birds in Europe, are always gliding past the clifftop at midday, so we might catch sight of them too.

Overnight in Omalos
Hiking distance: 9klm / Hiking Duration: 6 Hours

Day 4: Samaria Gorge

We will begin by hiking through Samaria Gorge, the longest in Europe! On the way, we will pass trickling streams, pine forests, and through the “Iron Gates”, the narrowest point of the gorge, where the rocks on each side reach an altitude of 600 m.

After a 16 km descent, we will reach Agia Roumeli, with its lovely fine pebble beach and sparkling sea. The refreshing dip is optional but who would refuse?

Overnight in Agia Roumeli.
Hiking distance: 16 km / Hiking Duration: 6h 30min

Day 5: Agia Roumeli to Marmara and Loutro

After an early wake-up call, we will breathe in the cool morning air as we walk on sand and shingle next to the sea up to the picturesque chapel of St. Pavlos (Paul), said to mark the place where Saint Paul landed on Crete.

Next to the chapel is a freshwater spring where we will stop for a refreshing swim.

Up next is Marmara beach, where we will jump in again before a delicious lunch in a local taverna overlooking the sea.

After lunch, a water taxi will transfer us to Loutro.

Overnight in Loutro.

Hiking distance: 11km / Hiking Duration: 4,5 hours

Day 6: Free Day

We will enjoy a free day at the tiny fishing village of Loutro, which you can only access by sea or through hiking trails. Options for the day include relaxing at the beach or hiking to Marmara via Foinikas, where the Aradena Gorge is located.

The hike each way is about 2 hours so you can either go and return on foot or arrange for a water taxi to bring you back to Loutro.

Overnight in Loutro.

Hiking distance: 4,8 km / Hiking Duration: 2,5 hours

Day 7: Sfakia and return to Chania

We will start the day on the coastal path to Chora Sfakion, and stop on the way for a swim at Freshwater Beach. This 3-hour stretch has some fine cobbled stone trails on a steep rock face the overlooks the vibrant sea.

From Chora Sfakion, we will drive to Chania. In the evening, we will get together for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Chania.

Hiking distance: 6.6 km / Hiking Duration: 3 Hours

Driving distance Chora Sfakion to Chania: 70km, 2 Hours

Day 8: Departure

After a hearty Mediterranean breakfast, we will say goodbye.

Equipment you will need to bring

LUGGAGE Duffel bag or rolling luggage Day pack to carry camera, water bottle, snacks, etc. Luggage locks and tags OUTERWEAR Mid-weight polar fleece sweater Rain jacket and rain pants, or poncho CLOTHING Hiking shorts Casual clothing made of light-weight fabrics T-shirts Long-sleeve shirt Hiking pants, loose and easy to move in Underwear Swimsuit ACCESSORIES Sun hat or baseball cap FOOTWEAR Lightweight and supportive hiking boots, broken-in with good ankle support Beach sandals Casual, comfortable shoes for the evening OTHER Sunscreen and lip protection Sunglasses and retainer strap Beach towel OPTIONAL Security pouch or money belt Trekking poles or walking staff Camera, memory, and batteries Reading and writing materials Watch with alarm or travel alarm Travel pillow Motion sickness remedies Personal first-aid kit Insect repellent (low-risk) Electrical adapter plug/converter

About the guide

Trekking

5.0

(1)

Tour Operator

Trekking Hellas is the largest and most renowned tour operator in Greece, in the outdoor holidays area. For over 33 years, we have been providing high quality services for individuals and groups, offering unique adventures in the most beautiful locations in the country, with highly qualified guides.

The variety of activities in offer is huge, from sea kayaking, hiking and rafting, to biking, via ferrata, rock climbing or gastronomy tours, among many others.

We operate 12 bases all over Greece, with different activities. The personnel in each base has the required qualifications to guide the specific activities we operate: eg. for hiking at low altitudes we work with experienced mountain guides with degrees from mountaineering associations and from our own training school; for sea kayaking we require the BCU certificate.

We contribute to the sustainable rural development by supporting local communities and offering work opportunities to their inhabitants, and the global effort to reduce over-tourism. We strongly embrace and implement a socially and environmentally responsible policy promoting the protection of nature and environmental awareness.

Our network makes it possible to offer and operate at the highest standards a variety of activities all over the country, in classic touristy destinations (Santorini, Athens, Crete, Rhodes, etc.) and less known regions of Greece (Tzoumerka, Karpenisi etc.).

Send us a request and come join us for a unique adventure in Greece!

Languages

Italian | German | French | English

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