Daily itinerary 8-day

Hiking Tour in South-West Crete

Day 1. Arrival at Chania airport. Transfer by taxi to Chora Sfakion, where your first hotel is situated. A beautiful drive which brings you from the north coast over the mountains to the south coast.
About 1,5 hours driving.

Day 2. You take the early bus to the village of Imbros.
This is the start of the walk through the Imbros gorge. A relaxing, shady walk in beautiful green surroundings.
Walking time 2,5 hours – 800 m downhill – 9 km.

In the village of Komitades you can choose to take a taxi back to Chora Sfakion or walk another 5 km on the road, with beautiful views of the sea and the (snow-capped) mountains of the Lefka Ori.
Walking time 1 hour – 4 km.

After lunch in Chora Sfakion you start the second walk of the day.
First you follow the road, then an exciting footpath along the coast to Loutro where your next hotel is situated. The path passes along two beaches, so you have several opportunities to swim.
Walking time 2 hours – 6 km.

Day 3. A round walk starting from Loutro. First you go up to the Venetian castle high above Loutro then along an old donkey path to the village of Livaniana.
From here you walk through the Aradena gorge towards the village of Anopolis. In the gorge some climbing is involved.
Arriving in Anopolis, you can enjoy a drink in the village square before starting the second part of the walk. From the Agia Katerini church you have splendid views over the south coast. From here an old footpath zigzags back down to Loutro.
Walking time 4 hours + 2 hours – 650 m up and down – 16 km.

Day 4. Today you leave Loutro. A coastal path, sometimes near the sea, sometimes higher up, leads you all the way to Agia Roumeli.
There are many beautiful beaches for a swim. Soon you see the ancient chapel of Agios Pavlos on the beach and a bit further the exit of the Samaria gorge and the tiny village of Agia Roumeli. Here you take the boat to Sougia (1 hour sailing) where you will stay the night.
Walking time 5 hours – 100 m up and down – 15 km.



Day 5. A long walking day to the high plateau of Omalos.
The first part of the walk leads through the luscious green gorge of Irini. After a good 3 hours walking and 650 metres uphill, you reach a beautiful picnic place / taverna under shady olive trees. The path continues via the so-called “Kings Road”, part of a centuries-old footpath, to end on the Omalos Plateau.
Walking time 7 hours – 1100 m uphill - 19 km.

Day 6. Today the descent through the famous Samaria Gorge is scheduled. At over 18 km it’s the longest gorge in Europe.
A well maintained footpath leads underneath cypresses and planes to the abandoned village of Samaria, crossing the river several times. Then the walls get higher and steeper until the narrowest part, the Sidero Portes. Through open, stony terrain the gorge ends eventually at the village of Agia Roumeli. Opportunity to swim until the departure for Sougia by boat.
Walking time 4 – 5 hours, 1200 m downhill - 18 km.

Day 7. Coastal walk from Sougia to Paleochora. The walk starts at Sougia harbour. It passes through the beautiful little gorge of Selinou, where lots of pine trees grow, bringing you to antique Lissos, which was a famous spa in Roman times. From here it goes uphill, till you reach a saddle from where you can see Paleochora in the distance. A small footpath leads downhill to the coast.
Walking time 6 hours, 100 m up and down - 14 km.

Day 8. Departure for the airport of Chania.

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