Walking Holiday in rural Crete

Guided walking holiday in Greece

From € 950.- / 8 days
Price per person based on two participants sharing a double/twin room

  • 1
  • Guided
People posing for a photo on a rock foundation People sitting an a restaurant on the sea cost Hikers walking on a trail
Embark on a walking holiday amidst the scenic wonders of Kissamos Chania and Nopigia Chania in western Crete. Here, rugged cliffs meet the deep blue sea, and olive groves stretch as far as the eye can see.
Explore ancient ruins, hidden chapels, and quaint villages nestled in the hills. As you traverse the diverse landscapes, keep an eye out for the unique flora and fauna that call this region home, from rare wildflowers to majestic birds of prey. Immerse yourself in the rich history and natural beauty of this captivating corner of Crete, where every step reveals a new adventure.

Accommodation

This walking holiday provides two accommodation options depending on dates of travel and availability.

Sunny Bay Hotel is located in front of the sea at the edge of the small town of Kissamos. The hotel has a large swimming pool and the beach in front of it is sandy with some pebbles; the sea water is clear blue.The tavernas near the hotel offer delicious Cretan dishes and in the town of Kissamos you can find supermarkets and local shops offering local products.

Double bedroom with a seaview balcony
Hotel pool by night
Double bedroom

Cormoranos Apartments is located in the seaside village of Nopigia. The tavernas near the hotel offer delicious Cretan dishes and the town of Kissamos is only 6km from the hotel (bus ticket costs 1.60 Euros) away. All Cormoranos apartments have a fully equipped kitchen where – if you want – you can prepare your own meals. The apartments are traditional and very attractive. The hotel has a swimming pool and the beach – at a distance of 50m from the hotel – is sandy with some pebbles; the sea water is clear blue.

Beach hotel with a pool
Small hotel with a pool surounded by vegetation

The meals included in the price are the first evening ‘welcome meal’ and a full breakfast every day. The breakfast is rich and consists of partly organic local products, some of which are produced by the hotel owners.

Walking in Crete

People walking a mauntain track
Many tourists walking a trail uphill

The walks are rich in archaeological, historical, botanical and artistic features. They are of light to medium difficulty and because we have two walking leaders we can split the group if some participants want to walk less.

The area of Kissamos in western Crete where our holiday takes place is part of the European Programme NATURA 2000 which aims to protect its rich natural heritage and to promote eco-tourism. Our walks leave only a  green footprint as there is no need for private transport

Itinerary

Hikers climbing a mountain, deep blue sea at the distance
Hikers resting in fron of historical site
Day 1 – Arrival – Welcome meal

Arrival day. Transfer from Chania airport. You will be met by our local taxi driver and taken to your family run hotel. To get to our destination on the following days, we usually walk or take the public bus, to keep our carbon footprint low and to enjoy being part of the reliable local transport system. On the first evening we offer you the chance to get to know everybody at the Welcome dinner.

Day 2 – Platanaki – Korfalonas – Kissamos
  • 7:30-9:00 : Breakfast.
  • 9:00 : Meet at the hotel.
  • 9:00-13:30 : From our hotel we walk to the sea and then along the beach to the Platanaki  and Korfalonas areas. We cross the little river of Korfalonas and continue further until we cross the little river of Kissamos and reach Kissamos town, where we can visit the local archaeological museum and local traditional shops selling honey, wine, tsikoudia, herbs etc. We return either on foot or by the regular bus service.

Duration: about 4.5 hours.  Distance : 12 km. Elevation: 1m-20m.

  • Return at 14:00 to the hotel.
  • 14:00-… : Free time for lunch, relaxing, enjoying the beach and/or swimming, enjoying the evening in the nearby tavernas.
Day 3 – Drapanias – Cherethiana – Potamida – Kaloudiana
  • 7:30-9:00 : Breakfast.
  • 9:00 : Meet at the hotel.
  • 9:00-15:00 : We go to the village of  Drapanias which we skirt round. Going uphill we find an old track leading through the olive groves to the little chapel above us built into a cave – Michael the Archangel. We continue on this track over a small river bed and a magnificent mulberry tree until we reach a country road and more old tracks. At the sides of the path is a rare kind of mint and a lot of caper flowers amongst many other plants. We reach now Cherethiana which  is a small typical, picturesque Cretan Village at an altitude of 160 meters. We walk through the village and have a break for a coffee if the local traditional Cafe is open. Now coming downhill we reach another cave chapel – another Michael the Archangel, nestling under the shade of a plane tree from which the old church bell is hanging. From here we take the road to Potamida in the valley and turn back towards the sea, passing on our right the famous natural clay marls which tower above the fields. We will visit the mill museum where we will have a break and then we walk further through the village. On the return to our hotel we might have a break for a beer or food in the village Kaloudiana.

Duration: about 5.5  hours.  Distance : 13 km. Elevation: 5m-170m

  • Return at 15:00 to the hotel.
  • 15:00-… : Free time for lunch, relaxing, enjoying the beach and/or swimming, enjoying the evening in the nearby tavernas.
People sitting around a table, green fig tree above them
Hikers on a rocky trail, view of the sea behind them
Day 4 – Kolymbari – Astratigos – Afrata
  • 7:30-9:00 : Breakfast.
  • 9:00 : Meet at the hotel.
  • 9:00-15:00 : We go by public bus to Kolymbari and walk uphill to the west on the Rodopos peninsula in order to find the picturesque village of Astratigos: a very small village at an altitude of 210 metres without any shops but with beautiful views to Chania bay. We walk further to the north of the peninsula and arrive in Afrata, another small village with a tavern and a traditional Café. Time for a coffee break. From here on, during our whole way to the Gonia Monastery the views to the Chania bay are spectacular. The city of Chania and the island of Ag. Theodoroi are visible. Our next stop is at the famous Gonia Monastery which was built between 1618 and 1634 in its present location, with Venetian influences in its architectural design and adornment. The distinctive fountain in front of the monastery’s entrance was built in 1708 and the belfry in 1849. The monastery was heavily damaged by Ottoman bombardments on many occasions throughout its history and finally in 1867 during the Great Cretan Revolution (1866–1869) against the Ottoman Empire, evidence of which can be seen today in the remaining cannonball lodged in the monastery wall. The monastery contains numerous Byzantine artifacts from the 15th and 17th century including Cretan icons by painters of the famous Cretan school of icon painting (which shaped El Greco). It also has numerous relics and other rare religious treasures from the Byzantine period and ancient inscriptions on the walls. In the village nearby there is a charming harbour with fishing caiques moored, cafes and tavernas for refreshments.

Duration: about 5 hours.  Distance : 12 km. Elevation: 5m-210m.

  • Return at 15:00 to the hotel.
  • 15:00-… : Free time for lunch, relaxing, enjoying the beach and/or swimming, enjoying the evening in the nearby tavernas.
Day 5 – Free day

A free day to rest or do further walking or sightseeing on your own. You could enjoy the many attractions of Chania, or visit the famous Balos beach by a short boat trip or hire a car to explore further a-field or …  even walk through the Samaria Gorge (detailed information provided on request).

Day 6 – Koleni – Mesonisi – Rokka – Kotsiana
  • 7:30-9:00 : Breakfast.
  • 9:00 : Meet at the hotel.
  • 9:00-15:00 : We go to the village of Koleni. Walking through the village we find the old soil road towards the beautiful old settlement of Mesonisi which faces the dramatic exit of the Rokka gorge. We wander through the gorge which is rarely visited and encounter wild goats and buzzards and if we are lucky we might see a golden eagle. In the middle of the gorge we find the path leading to the giant rock which dominates the landscape. Just below its crown or dome as the locals call it is the picturesque village of Rokka. Above the 18th/19th century houses is the site of the remains of an ancient village, whose rooms, streets, steps and tombs were cut into the stone. From there the views are staggering: South across  the Rokka gorge and North to the blue sea in the distance. We return home down a kalderimi (old stone road) passing an ancient wall, peach, plum and mulberry trees amongst the olives. We walk through the countryside to Kotsiana where we might have a break for a coffee in the traditional Kafenio of the village. Our path leads us to Ano Drapanias where we walk past a medieval Venetian tower and then through the village before we return to our hotel.

Duration: about 5.5  hours.  Distance : 14 km. Elevation: 5m-225m

  • Return at 15:00 to the hotel.
  • 15:00-… : Free time for lunch, relaxing, enjoying the beach and/or swimming, enjoying the evening in the nearby tavernas.
Day 7 – Nopigia – Panagia Myrtidiotisa – Agios Vasilios – Ravdouhas
  • 7:30-9:00 : Breakfast.
  • 9:00 : Meet at the hotel.
  • 9:00-14:30 : Starting in Nopigia we will walk past the open air theater to the little chapel  of  Panagia Myrtidiotisa and then along a rough path over stones and rocks towards the little medieval chapel of Agios Vasilios on the Spatha peninsula. The blue sea is always beside us. We will encounter only a few sheep and goats and enjoy great views towards the  Gramvousa peninsula  across  Kissamos bay, with the Spatha mountain on our right. After our little break at the chapel of Agios Vasilios we walk further to the outskirts of Ravdouhas over the top of an abandoned iron mine, enjoying fantastic views of the village. We walk past amazing rock formations and  Nopigia beach  to our  hotel. 

Duration: about 5 hours.  Distance : 12 km. Elevation: 1m-120m.

  • Return at 14:30 to the hotel.
  • 14:30-… : Free time for lunch, relaxing, enjoying the beach and/or swimming, enjoying the evening in the nearby tavernas.
Day 8 – Departure

Departure day. Transfer to Chania airport.

Dates and Availability

People walking on the beach
Happy tourists posing for a photo

From Tue 30 Apr to Tue 07 May 2024

From Tue 04 to Tue 11 Jun 2024

From Tue 24 Sep to Tue 01 Oct 2024

Please contact the holiday provider, through the contact form, for more information.

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    Map of Greece showing the location of the Walking Holiday in rural Crete Guided walking holiday

    Holiday Type:

    Guided
    Walking Holiday


    Board Basis:

    Bed & Breakfast, Welcome Dinner (1st day)

    Price:

    From € 950.- / 8 days
    Price per person based on two participants sharing a double/twin room

    Features:

    • 1 One accommodation

    What's included:

    • 7 nights accommodation
    • 7x Breakfast
    • Transfers to and from airport or bus station
    • Welcome dinner and introductory information session
    • Range of prepared walking routes

    NOT included:

    All other costs, including travel costs to Crete.

    Walking Grade:

    hills
    • Level terrain or hills
    • Easy walking
    hills and low mountains
    • Hills to low mountains
    • Easy to moderate walking

    Remarks:

    Tailor-made walking possible

    Best time to go:

    May, June, September, October

    Contact Details:

    Walking Holiday in rural Crete, a Guided walking holiday in Greece by Active Crete

    Contact: Daphne, Foivos, Camille and Iakovos
    Telephone: +30 6997132554
    +44 7752751799

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    Visit Website

    Languages spoken:

    English, German, Greek

    Getting there:

    • Chania International Airport (Ioannis Daskalogiannis) (49 km)
    • Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis) (170 km)

    Location map

    Notes:

    Transfer from/to Chania airport or from to Chania main bus station is included in the price.

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