Walking Tours in eastern-mediterranean

Western Crete is truly a land of contrasts. The elegant old port of Chania with its cafes and restaurants, tranquil olive and citrus groves, cypress clad hillsides and wild and dramatic limestone peaks surrounding a gentle plateau characterise the first part of your journey. From the high peaks of the Levka Ori (The White Mountains) surging flood waters have gouged awesome gorges through the southern slopes which contrast with the gentle attractions of the picturesque ports along the south coast.

Having spent your first night in Chania you are transferred to the fertile plains of Omalos. A delightful plateau encircled by rugged mountains where you spend two nights and have the opportunity to walk up to the pass of Linoselli, just below the rock peak of Gingilos (1975m) from where there are magnificent views right across the island, as well as to the Kallergi mountain hut at 1685m. The journey continues by walking down the entire length of the Samaria Gorge, without doubt the most spectacular in Europe with walls up to 600m high and at one point, the famous Iron Gates, narrowing to a mere two metres. The gorge walk attracts numerous day visitors. You emerge from the gorge at Agia Roumeli in time for a swim in the warm waters of the Libyan Sea. By contrast your next day is a magnificent coastal walk through pine woods and along cliffs to Loutro. Your journey continues inland again via the dramatic Sellouda mule track up the coastal escarpment and on through pine forest and across a stoney plateau to Anopolis. Those with energy remaining should walk on up to St Catherine's Chapel where the views are stunning. For your final day of walking you can chose to return to Loutro via a remarkable mule track or, we recommend, travel with the bags to Chora Sfakion then traverse up the magnificent Imbros Gorge to the village of Imbros, returning to your hotel by bus.