Walking in Crete

This seven-night walking tour from Explore Worldwide takes in a range of landscapes on Crete, beginning in the mountain village of Zaros and ending in the historic city of Chania. Walks include the shaded Rouvas Gorge with its rare orchids and thousand-year-old trees, alongside a visit to an olive tree reputed to be 2,800 years old.

The itinerary also covers the coastal path from Chora Sfakion to Loutro, where cars cannot venture, followed by a boat ride along the Libyan Sea. The highlight is a long, challenging trek through the Samaria Gorge, a rocky canyon with steep ascents and views across cliffs and Byzantine ruins. Crete’s history appears gently too, with stops at Preveli Monastery perched above the sea and the Old Town of Chania with Venetian fountains and Ottoman buildings.

The pace ranges from leisurely village strolls to day-long hikes over variable terrain. Days often end in local tavernas where Cretan olive oil, honey and herbs flavour the food. No false promises of cool island life here: the occasional steep climb or rocky path is clearly set out, but so is the reward of honest landscapes and coastline few get to walk.

New to Greece? Our Greece guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.