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Crete Island Grand Trail: Mount Ida, Samaria Gorge, Loutro

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Spend a week hiking in Crete with local, certified guide, Akis. Climb to the top of Mount Ida, visit Samaria Gorge, Loutro Bay, Sfakia, and more!

Private

6 Days

May - Oct

High

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Discover some of the most amazing spots in Crete.
  • Enjoy seaside and mountain trails.
  • Spend a week enjoying the Mediterranean culture and cuisine.

Description

Crete is a majestic island and the absolute Mediterranean destination, an ideal place to enjoy a hiking and cultural week. 

On this one-week adventure, you will have the chance to explore some of the most amazing spots on the island. High mountains, magnificent gorges and canyons, and the extended trail network close to the Mediterranean Sea make this a unique trekking destination. Furthermore, the culture, history, food, unique flora, and fauna will perfectly complement and enrich your trip.

The hiking itinerary we will follow runs the south coastline of the island, one of the purest, most unspoiled, and isolated areas of South Europe. Some of the landmarks we will visit include the Mount Ida summit, Samaria Gorge, and Loutro, among others. You can find a detailed itinerary below.

Keep in mind that we will spend around 5 hours hiking each day. Therefore,  you will need a good fitness level to join this adventure, however, you don’t need technical skills for this adventure.

So, are you ready to experience a unique 1-week trek in Crete? Then contact me today and let’s start planning your adventure. I look forward to guiding you!

Price includes

  • Guiding fee
  • Transport during the trip
  • Mountain guide expenses
  • Luggage transfer

Price details

  • National Park entrance fees included
  • Breakfasts included
  • Snacks during the hike included
  • Boat ticket during the hike is included
  • Transfers during the trip
  • Not included :
  • Meals and drinks

Itinerary

Day 1: Heraklion City - Ascent the Very Top of Crete 2.456m

Meeting with the guests in Heraklion city in the morning and travel towards the Cretan country side at the foot hills of Mount Ida – The birth place of Zeus. Starting from Mygeros Plateau at an altitude of 1550m, the well-marked trail runs the north west side of the mountain and gives access to an impressive summit crest towards the Peak 2456m.
The summit view is stunning in every direction… the Aegean Sea islands to the North and the African coast line to the South are the highlights of this magnificent ascent.

Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Vertical ascent: 1000m

Pick up the guests and travel towards Chania town where we will settle down in a hotel at the Old Venetian Harbor.
Briefing about the schedule – overnight.

Day 2: Hiking Samaria Gorge

Today we will hike one of the longest and most beautiful gorges in Europe: The famous Samaria Gorge.
A well-marked trail runs 16 km of unspoiled nature inside the gorge, and finally exits at the Mediterranean Sea.

Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Vertical drop: 1250m

The hike ends at the seafront village Agia Roumeli. Rest, relaxation, swimming in crystal clear waters, Mediterranean food, and overnight stay at the village.

Day 3: Agia Roumeli – White Mountains – St. John Village

Breakfast at the guest house and start hiking.
The sea side trail runs the coast line through pine forest, and faces the Mediterranean Sea. Then, a steep but magnificent trail climbs the mountain towards our final destination, the St. John mountain village, too far away from the civilization and almost lost in time…
During our hike we can swim at the crystal sea waters and then continue towards the village.

Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Vertical ascent: 900m

Settle down in a guest house – briefing about the next day’s schedule.
Overnight stay

Day 4: St. John – Aradaina Gorge – Loutro Bay

Breakfast at the guest house and transfer towards the entrance of Aradaina Gorge.
The trail runs the gorge through impressive rock formations, and during the hike we will experience the Cretan nature, smell the Mediterranean herbs and finally we will exit in a magnificent secret beach with crystal waters – The Marble Beach.

Duration: 4 hours
Relaxation & swimming
The same afternoon, transfer with a boat towards Loutro village, the most iconic and magnificent part of the south Crete. The small sea front village with magnificent Aegean architecture welcomes the hikers. Now, we are too far away from roads and vehicles, isolated at the very south end of Europe.
Settle down in a seafront hotel – overnight stay.

Day 5: Loutro Bay – Hiking the countryside round Loutro

After breakfast we will discover the unspoiled nature round Loutro Bay and the archeological site of the area. The Mediterranean Sea is always by our side and we will enjoy the crystal waters many times throughout the day. Early afternoon return to the village – overnight.
Duration: 5 hours

Day 6: Loutro Bay – Sfakia

Breakfast at the hotel and start hiking towards Sfakia.
We will cross the marvelous Sweet Waters beach and finally, we will access the historic Sfakia village, a place very tight connection with the 2nd WW history.

Duration: 3 hours

Short break at the picturesque Sfakia Bay and early afternoon transfer towards Heraklion city, where you will be dropped off.

End of trip

 

Equipment you will need to bring

Water bottle

Backpack

Sunglasses


FAQs

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration
Hotel Santa Marina Perissa Greece
See rooms
Santo Miramare Resort Perivolos Greece
See rooms
Veggera Beach Hotel Perivolos Greece
See rooms

About the guide

Guide profile image

Akis

4.8

(66)

Mountain Guide

I come from Greece and always remember myself as a kid in the mountains…
Now, I am a Certified Mountain Guide HMGA, member of the Hellenic Mountain Guides Association (License number A.N 867/37, Nr 19 FEK (A)621-999/28-11-07) also a Mountaineering – Ski Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, member of the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering & Climbing (H.F.M.C).

My passion for the mountains led me on numerous hikes, ski tours, and rock and ice climbs in Greece, the Alps, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Bulgaria, with many new routes under my signature.

The beautiful valleys at the foot of Mount Olympus – Greece are my home, and the flanks above are the playground to follow my mountain love, may it be ice-climbing, ski touring, hiking, or alpine climbing. For me, it is the perfect terrain to train, play and guide.

I teach mountaineering, rock climbing, and ski mountaineering in various Climbing Schools & Mountaineering Associations, and I spend a lot of wintertime as a ski instructor. I love to share my passion with guests and guide hikers, mountaineers, climbers, and ski tourers all year round.

I am married to Mariza and we have a daughter and two sons together.
I speak Greek, English, and French.

Languages

Greek | French | English

Certificates

HMGA

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What people are saying about Akis

Alyson

5

Amazing experience, wonderful guide and easy booking! Trip was all we hoped it would be and more.

5

Akis Parousis is one of the best mountain guides in Greece , but first of all he is one of the best partner!!!!

5

Fantastic trip. Very well organised, and couldn’t have gone any better. Akis was exceptional, and made sure we all had a great time. Thank you.

5

An amazing trip with a lovely small group and beautiful mountains! The views and terrain are spectacular, and you will feel safe and supported at all times (especially in the summit section where ropes and helmets are needed). Our guide Vasilis was knowledgeable and friendly, and I would highly recommend this trip to hikers or those who want to push themselves.

5

This trip was absolutely brilliant! Akis is a true professional at his craft and his assistant bill was too who came on the second day for the climb. The people I met while on this was unbelievably nice. I’ve loved every bit of this.


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