8 Days & 7 Nights

4.4

Crete Coast to Coast

Walk through a diversity of unspoilt landscapes on the Greek island of Crete
Stay in the traditional village of Vamos with its cobbled alleys and stone paths
Lush and green landscapes of Crete's interior with row upon row of olive groves
Make your way through the other-worldly landscapes of the Imbros Gorge
Swim in the deep blue and clear waters and take a rest in a sandy cove near Loutro

Explore the Greek island of Crete walking from north to south through a variety of impressive scenery and countryside. From lush valleys to magnificent gorges, along stunning coastal routes and through fields of wildflowers and olive groves, you will be impressed by the sheer diversity in this lesser-travelled part of the island. Discover secluded and pristine beaches, the seaside village of Loutro which is only accessible by boat, the fertile green Apokonoras plain and the majestic Imbros Gorge, all surrounded by snow-capped peaks during the spring. Soak in the history, such as western Crete's oldest olive oil press in Vamos and the Greek Orthodox churches and ancient monasteries as you walk. Take pleasure in the incredibly delicious local food and wine which you can enjoy sitting in a village square or at a seaside taverna.

From $1,195.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Vamos and overnight

Arrive at Chania Airport and a private transfer (of 45 mins) brings you east to Vamos, a traditional village. Drink raki or local wine with the locals in the “kafeneion” and discover your delightful guest house, which has been restored from one of the old traditional stone houses.

Overnight Vamos

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Vamos Traditional Village | 3 Star | Hotel

This unique accommodation is located in the heart of Vamos’s old quarter. Traditional stone houses have been restored and now provide lovely guest houses. With views of the White Mountains and flowering gardens, your stay here is sure to be delightful.

Day 2 Vamos Village Loop Walk via Almyrida Beach 10 miles / 15 km

Today's walk is a very nice introduction to the surrounding area and brings you from Vamos to the villages of Gavalochori and Douliana and back to Vamos. There is plenty to see, including local, traditional churches and also great views to appreciate over Souda Bay and Drapanos Mountain. While walking you'll get a good impression of village life in the agricultural area of Apokoronas. Pass the interesting Folklore Museum of Gavalochori which is well worth a visit. Also included is a loop to the coast and the little beach resort of Almyrida where you can stop for lunch in a taverna overlooking the sea.

Ascent/Descent: 345m / 346m

Overnight Vamos

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Vamos Traditional Village | 3 Star | Hotel

Day 3 Loop walk from Nippos via local villages 7.5 miles / 12 km

The transfer to the starting point of today's walk leaves at 9:00 in front of the Café Myrto in Vamos. The transfer to the Kafenio in Nippos takes about 20 minutes. In the afternoon you will be picked up at the same café where you were dropped off this morning. Today’s walk takes you through lush green areas covered with cypress trees and olive groves. In the spring you may be able to see the snow-capped Lefka Ori mountain range whose peaks rise over 2000m. You will also pass by the Krionerida Cave, of historical interest, as during the Ottoman Occupation it was used as a secret hiding place to harbour women and children.

Wander through Fres, one of the largest villages in the area and see the large typical church from afar as you approach. It has an impressive square surrounded by tavernas and you may catch the aroma of a traditional bakery or tasty Greek dishes. Ta Lemonia is an example of such a tavern and the owner, Micalis, cooks everything himself.

From the end of the walk in Nippos you will travel in comfort by taxi to your next accommodation in Askifou.

Ascent/Descent: 400m / 400m

Overnight Askifou

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Panorama The Rooms | Hotel

Into a slope, over the Askifou mountain plateau in Sfakia area, there is the Lentari family’s “Panorama”. “Panorama” includes a traditional taverna, rooms and studios with marvelous view on the plateau and the Osman fort “Koule”.

Day 4 Walking the Imbros Gorge 7 miles / 11 km

At the end of the walk today you will have reached the southern coast of Crete! Again, a short transfer from the hotel brings you to the village of Imbros where you can get some supplies in the mini market for lunch, before entering the second most famous gorge of Crete, Imbros. You will be walking for about two hours along a rocky riverbed with loose stones and rocks alternated with easier sections. The landscapes here are other-worldly; at its narrowest point, the Imbros gorge is only 1.60m wide! When you sit and have your picnic lunch and listen to the silence it will be hard to imagine the immense forces that created this impressive landscape.

At the end of the gorge you come to Komitades where you may relax and have lunch in one of the taverns. Then you continue your walk through agricultural fields and across the Sfakiano gorge until you reach Chora Sfakion, located on the Libyan Sea where your luggage will be waiting for you at your hotel. You may end you day with a refreshing swim.

Ascent/Descent: 350m / 1100m

Overnight Chora Sfakion

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Livikon | Hotel

Located in the heart of Sfakia, the most traditional and wild region of Crete, Hotel Livikon boasts rooms with private balconies with sea views. The hotel has its own restaurant, using local ingredients and serving fresh fish and local Sfakian and traditional Cretan dishes.

Day 5 Walk from Chora Sfakion to Loutro 4.5 miles / 7 km

Today represent two walking options: The first is a more challenging coastal hike of 7.2 km that takes you along ancient Cretan paths once used to connect villages such as Kambia to Loutro. This scenic route rewards you with sweeping sea views and a sense of connection to the island’s traditional landscape.

Alternatively, you can take the ferry to Loutro and enjoy a shorter roundwalk to the Bay of Finix—a relaxed option that combines natural beauty with a touch of historical intrigue.

Be sure to explore this tiny remote seaside village of Loutro before leaving with its white typically-Greek architecture, turquoise green waters and rocky mountains rising up behind. No cars means no crowds!

Whichever walk you opt to do a delightful local ferry ride from Loutro back to Chora Sfakion completes your day where your luggage will be waiting for you at your hotel.

Walk 1 - Chora Sfakion to Loutro (Coastal Route) 7.2km, Ascent/Descent: 506m / 516m
Walk 2 - Roundwalk Loutro-Phoenix/ Finix-Loutro 3.1km, Ascent/Descent: 63m / 75m

Overnight Chora Sfakion

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Livikon | Hotel

In the heart of Sfakia, the most traditional and wild region of Crete, we have been providing hospitality for almost 30 years. The hotel has been completely renovated at April 2019, has 10 rooms - 5 in the first floor and 5 in the second floor all with direct sea view. Hotel Livikon offers an exquisite seaside restaurant for your breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu consists of a full palette of local Sfakian and traditional Cretan dishes, and international cuisine.

Day 6: Walk around Cape Kako Mouri 5.5 miles / 9 km

Today transfer (1H) to the seaside town of Plakias which lies to the east of Chora Sfakion. Upon arrival you may embark on today's delightful walk around Cape Kako Mouri. This walk has some nice surprises as you will walk through a pedestrian rock ‘tunnel’ and climb stairs that are built into a cliff to get over a promontory.

In the afternoon you have ample time to do the round walk along Cape Kako Mouri. This walk has some nice surprises. You walk through a pedestrian ‘tunnel’ through a rock and you climb stairs that are built into a cliff to get over a rock. There will be great views over the sea and you also walk through olive groves as bit further inland. All in all a delightful walk.

Ascent/Descent: 330m / 330m

Overnight Plakias

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Lamon

Located a few steps from the sandy beach of Plakias and a 5-minute walk from the village, Lamon Hotel offers a swimming pool, a snack bar and air-conditioned accommodation all with balconies.

Alianthos Garden Hotel

This hotel is situated 50m from the beach and you can relax in its cocktail bar or by the swimming pool. The renovated guest rooms and apartments are well-equipped and offer comfortable beds with comfortable mattresses. They all feature balconies with panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Sofia Hotel | Hotel

Centrally located in Plakias, just a few steps from the long sandy beach and 50 metres from the city centre, Hotel Sofia offers bright rooms. Taverns and shops are within a few metres distance. Guests can use the swimming pool and the pool bar of the nearby sister hotel located 100 metres away. Sofia Hotel has a terrace where guests can have their buffet breakfast, as well as a lounge area.

Day 7 Bus to Preveli Bridge. Walk via Preveli Monastery to Preveli Bridge. 7 miles / 11 km

After breakfast take a public bus from Plakias to Preveli Bridge from where the walk starts. You can opt to only walk down to the beach with or without the optional loop to the fabulous Monastery of Preveli. From Preveli Beach you can either walk back to Preveli Bridge via another route uphill, or you take it easy and opt to and take a local small boat back to Plakias.

Ascent/Descent: 375m / 375m

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Lamon

Located a few steps from the sandy beach of Plakias and a 5-minute walk from the village, Lamon Hotel offers a swimming pool, a snack bar and air-conditioned accommodation all with balconies.

Alianthos Garden Hotel

Sofia Hotel | Hotel

Day 8 Transfer to Chania Airport. Onward travel

Reviews

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This walking tour explores traditional parts of Crete that a regular visitor does not often see. It is a real insider’s view into its landscapes and traditions. Not only this, but you will also discover many different walks along the coast, in the mountains and through gorges. This is all rounded off by excellent Greek food and wine.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Islands

Activity Level & Terrain

This tour is suitable for most people that are in good physical condition. Although the daily distances are not that far, it has been rated moderate as there are quite significant elevation gains and losses, especially towards the middle and end of the tour, although there are options on some of the more difficult days offering easier walks. Although the paths are quite well-kept the terrain in Greece tends to be very stony and rocky, especially during the gorge-walking and in Loutro. After wet weather the paths can also become slippery especially in the gorges and extra care should be taken. You will mostly be walking on unsurfaced tracks, footpaths, mountain trails and on some tarmac roads.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

Transfer from Chora Sfakion to Plakias
7 Nights guest houses and hotels
7 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
Transfer from Chania Airport to Vamos
Transfer from Plakias to Chania Airport
Detailed information pack, and navigation via the Macs Adventure Smartphone App
Transfers to and/or from walks on certain days
24/7 support from our local partner and Macs Adventure Office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to and from Chania Airport
Ferry ticket from Loutros to Chora Sfakion
Lunches and dinners
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment
Mountain rescue / emergency assistance

Extras

Additional nights before or after the holiday

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

Transfers: If you fly into Chania Airport an included transfer brings you to your accommodation in Vamos. If you fly into Heraklion, you can take a public bus to Vrysses, (which is the closest place the bus goes to) and a transfer from here to Vamos is included. This itinerary includes a few transfers, some of which are necessary to get to and from the walks. On Day 2 at the end of the walk you will be transferred from Georgioupolis to Vamos, on Day 3 you will be transferred and picked up in Nippos, and on Day 4 there is a short transfer to Imbros to the start of the walk. At the end of the tour on Day 8, you will take a short 20 minute ferry ride to Chora Sfakion (not included) and from here a transfer to Chania (approximately 2 hours) or Heraklion (approximately 3 hours) is included.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.