Hiking Selfguided - Explore Crete on your own Crete Greece Explore the White Mountains and the gorges of West Crete on your own Crete, the largest and most mountainous of the Greek islands, is the cradle of Europe’s earliest civilization and the land where ancient myth and modern reality blend seamlessly against a backdrop of outstanding natural beauty. Our 8-day trip, explores the southwest coast of Crete, with its spectacular White Mountains, the deep gorges and coastal trails that lead us to charming fishing villages and quite beaches, accessible only by boat. Starting from Chania with its picturesque Venetian port you will depart for the village of Agia Irini to hike through its quite gorge before emerging at the crystal clear waters of Mediterranean Sea. Follow ancient paths to reach the second Roman city in Crete, visiting the temple of God Asklipios and exploring the ruins from Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine period. Ascending well-maintained trails you will reach the summit of Mountain Gingilos (2080m), for stunning views to Omalos plateau, the White Mountains and the Samaria gorge - Europe’s largest gorge that offers one of the most rewarding walks through a spectacular botanic garden, the home of the wild goats (Kri-kri) and griffon vultures. Our superb coastal walk passes by the picturesque St Paul’s chapel and the azure blue waters of Marmara beach to end up at the white-blue washed houses of the charming village of Loutro. Relax in Loutro or hike to Anopolis -one of the most "authentic" Cretan villages, cross the Aradena gorge with its pink oleanders and drink fresh water from the "Sweet water beach". Meeting: Chania Airport: Chania Transfer: Chania airport Riders: Min 2 riders Max 16 riders Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Transfer Option:

DAY 1: Arrive in Chania. Explore the old “Venetian stile” city of Chania with its picturesque harbor. (Overnight in Chania)
DAY 2: After breakfast, you will be transferred to the entrance of Agia Irini gorge, for your first hike. Ag. Irini gorge provides a nice and quiet path next to a stream, full of pines and chestnut trees. Sougia is a beautiful village on the southern coast of Crete where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Mediterranean Sea. (Overnight in Sougia)
The walk: (4hrs) Starting from the large signboard on the left of the road as you drive south to Sougia, you follow the dirt road that passes beside a coffee shop. The streambed is on your left-hand side till a small bridge. After the bridge the dirt road becomes a clear trail and the rest of the walk is straightforward till the exit at the “Oassis” café – snack bar. Follow the new asphalt road and turn right at the cross road over the bridge. The road climbs up to the main Sougia road. Go left (south) and walk for about 30 min to Sougia.
DAY 3: Cultural walk through the beautiful gorge of Selinou, thick with brilliant pink oleanders and carob trees, to the ancient city of Lissos. Lissos was an important center of hydrotherapy in ancient years, which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine era. Here you will 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. Refresh yourselves in the cove and return to Sougia. (Overnight in Sougia)
The walk: (3 hrs) Starting from the small port of Sougia (facing the sea, go right – west), you will cross the beautiful gorge of Selinou. You follow the European path E4, initially on the streambed. After the impressed rock face on your right-hand side, you take the uphill path that leaves the streambed and climbs the left side of the gorge. Cross the small pine forest, follow the E4 marks and you will see Lissos below you. Follow the zigzag path go downhill to Lissos. The temple is on your right-hand side. Make a loop around the city and take the same way back to Sougia.
DAY 4: Leave your luggage at the hotel’s lobby to be transferred by boat to Ag. Roumeli village, at the foot of Samaria gorge. Either by the local bus or by using a taxi you will reach the entrance of Samaria gorge at Omalos plateau, from where you will climb up mountain Gigilos. 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 Omalos plateau. (Overnight in Omalos)
The walk: (6 hrs). You will start from “Xiloskalo” behind the building on the right hand-side as you face the mountain and the Samaria gorge. You will follow a well-maintained trail (E4) that gains rapidly height with many zigzags. After the first 30-40 min the path flattens out and passes under a rock arch and then it reaches the Linoseli spring (1 hr). Continue the zigzag path till the Linoseli Col and leave behind the E4 path. Now you will follow the red marks that pass beside a big hole – cave, you need to scramble and to not loose the red marks until the summit. You will return by the same way.
DAY 5: A short drive from the hotel will take you at the entrance of Samaria gorge. Samaria 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. This is where you may see the wild goats of Crete (Kri-kri). You reach the small village of Agia Roumeli, where you can relax and enjoy a swim. (Overnight in Agia Roumeli).
The walk: (6 hrs). You will start from “Xiloskalo” where you need to buy a ticket, as you enter in a National park. (Keep your ticket for the exit control). The zigzag trail brings you at the bottom of the “upper” gorge about 1000m below the starting point. You follow a very well maintained path till the exit of the gorge, with many organized springs, small wooden bridges and some WCs. Half way to the sea is the old Samaria settlement. You follow the path till the exit (return the ticket) and continue on the dirt road to Ag. Roumeli.
DAY 6: Leave your luggage at hotel’s lobby to be transferred by boat to Loutro. A beautiful sea walk (coastal path) close the Mediterranean Sea. Todays walk alternates on sand and shingles next to the sea and about 50m above the sea level in pine forest and bushy areas. On the way to Loutro you pass the picturesque St Paul's chapel, which was built on the sand next to the sea. After a needed-refreshing break at "Marmara" beach, you arrive at the small port of Loutro with its magnificent village decorated with the blue and white houses. (Overnight in Loutro)
The Walk (6hrs): Go eastwards out of Agia Roumeli village towards the heliport, cross over the riverbed by some stepping rocks between an old bridge and the sea. Walk a little uphill on the sand towards a small sheepfold and continue to the electric pole from where you will find E4 marks. The path is clear and you cannot miss it. St. Paul’s chapel will appear in the first 1,5 hour. You will reach Marmara beach at about 4 hours from Agia Roumeli and you need an extra 45 min walk to cross Mouros peninsula (the ancient Phoinix) and arrive at Loutro.
DAY 7: 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 Agia Ekaterini’s church, just over Anopolis, you have the chance to enjoy the wonderful view to the Libyan Sea and the south coast of Crete. Visit Anopoli’s square, relax at the coffee shop with the locals and return the same way back.
For the strong hikers we propose to continue and cross Arathena’s gorge that ends at “Marmara” beach and return back to Loutro by following the E4 path. This big loop may give an unforgettable picture that alternates between mountain trail, spectacular gorge and coastal path. (Overnight in Loutro)
The Walk (6 hrs): Starting from the east side of Loutro, you head up to the left of “Kri-kri” tavern initially on a concrete path that leads you at the fence door and out of Loutro. When you reach the old building on your right and the small chapel on your left, follow the left zigzag path that climbs the steep slope till Agia Ekaterini’s church. At the first fork that you meet, go right. Having climbed the 2/3 of the slope you meet a dirt road. Cross the road and follow the path that is visible in front of you to rejoin the road. Continue on the road and at the cylindrical rocky water cistern leave the road to join again the rocky path. Few minutes after the cistern watch out to take the left trail that continues to climb the slope. Some 15-20 minutes you reach St. Kathryn’s church with its wonderful view. From the church you follow the dirt road and the asphalt road till the square of Anopolis village with the big status of Daskalogiannis. To return take the same way back.
DAY 8: For the last day there are two optional ways to reach the village of Hora Sfakion, from where you return back to Hania. 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. The trip ends at Hania where you will find really interesting a small walk in Hania’s market.
If you choose to hike to Hora Sfakion, leave your luggage to the owners of the hotel to put them in the boat and start the hike early in order collect your luggage from the boat at Hora Sfakion.
The Walk (2 hrs): Starting from the east side of Loutro, you head up to the left of “Kri-kri” tavern initially on a concrete path that leads you at the fence door and out of Loutro. When you reach the old building on your right and the small chapel on your left, follow the right path (E4) that is about 50 m. above the sea level. The path is very clear and at some areas may have some steep drops (narrow points). You pass the "Sweet water beach" and you climb up to join the asphalt road. Turn right and continue on the road till Hora Sfakion.




Transport: You travel either by taxi or by our own rented air-conditioned mini-bus, which leaves you to walk and continues, with your baggage, to the next place where we will stay for the night.

Activity Level: The hikes offer a moderate trek with a maximum of 6 hours walk on rocky footpaths. Sometimes you cross-streams in the gorges and on the coast you walk on sand and shingles for short distances. Participants should be in good physical condition with a little of experience.

Note on Itineraries: Please bear in mind that the itinerary can be altered for numerous reasons beyond our control (e.g. harsh weather, trail conditions) to ensure the safety and the well being of the group. The final hiking selection is left up to the organizer.

In general Greece is well known to the holiday-maker for its long, dry, hot summers and its mild winters. Being the southernmost of all the Greek islands, Crete does have longer summers and you should be able to swim here from April to November. Summer can bring strong winds especially along the Southern coast.   The flowers are at their best at springtime and the island is quieter then as it is in autumn but due to the hot summers the land looks less colorful towards the end of the year. Temperatures range from 21ºC spring/autumn to 26ºC mid-summer. Rain is usually rare apart of the winter. Up in the mountains however the climate is very different to the coastal areas, you can expect cooler temperatures and maybe some thunder storms, especially in the afternoons. Often there are some impressive skies and rumbles but no rain falls. It is very unlikely that you will get any prolonged period of bad weather.

Daypack (approx.25-35l), trekking shoes, mountain clothing (waterproof wind jacket, polar fleece sweater etc.) water bottle, hat, sun cream, sun glasses, swimming suit, casual clothing.

Average ratings from 1 tour feedback (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date maria victoria gawin 10/8/2009

Accommodation: 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.

Tack:
Horses:
Pace:
Level:		(2 to 4 out of 5)
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 16 riders

Passports
Passport required by all except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passports must be valid for the following durations:
(a) British and EU (excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia) passports must be valid for length of intended stay.
(b) Australian, Canadian, USA and excluded EU passports must be valid for at least three months beyond length of stay.
Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Greece is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;
(b) nationals of Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
(a) 2. EU nationals staying more than 90 days or for employment (including establishing a business, trade, profession or commercial activity) have to apply in person to the consulate general of Greece for a national visa; (b) Greece refuses admission and transit to holders of travel documents issued by the area of Cyprus not controlled by the Government of Cyprus, and holders of UN laissez-passers; (c) Some nationals may have to register with the Aliens Department of the nearest police station within 48 hours of arrival. Contact the nearest embassy/consulate to determine whether this is necessary prior to travel.
Types of Visa and Cost
National visa: £30.
Working Days Required
Three to 14, dependent upon nationality.

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.