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Welcome to Hooked on Walking and our walking holiday in Western Crete. This particular walking holiday which we have named Walking in Western Crete is available as a 7 night self guided walking tour. The highlights of this walking holiday 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 March to November on any day
Level 2-3 self guided tour
Day 1 Arrival - transfer to the hotel
Arrival to the airport of Chania and transfer 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 depart for the village of Agia Irini in Chania area and you walk through Agia Irini gorge t o 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.
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 center of hydrotherapy in ancient years which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine era. Here we visit a well-preserved temple with mosaic floor dedicated to the God of medicine Asklipios and we 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
A Taxi today will take you 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.
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 needed-refreshing break at the "Marmara" beach, we 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
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.
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 day pack , your main luggage is moved to the following nights accommodation.
Participants should be in good physical condition with a little of experience.
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What is Included
- 7 nights Bed breakfast and 6 dinners
- hotels , inns and pensions
- Information Pack
- Tour guide
- Luggage transfer
- Transfers as per schedule
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Extras
- Transport before and after tour
- Single Rooms
- Flights
- Extension week
- Travel Insurance
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2008 Prices
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Tour Code
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Price per persons based on 2 persons sharing double room
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£658
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Single person
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£747
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How to get there
By plane to Crete Chania airports which has many low costs airlines flying from Athens airport. Fly direct from Scotland with Fly Globespan
To view other Greek walking holidays , Halkidiki and our Mount Olympus holiday
Click below to view our
Cycling Holidays in Greece
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