5 Fabulous hikes in Crete for fans of rugged gorges and remote beaches
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Loading... - Gloria Vega
- 15 Sep 2022
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There are scores of superb hikes on Crete. Gorges abound, offering fascinating glimpses into life through the eons, with ancient churches, crude caves haunted by the ghosts of medieval hermits, patches of lush foliage and stark, geological beauty.
The trip along the Samaria Gorge is the most famous of these walks, but this trail can get very crowded and is only open for a few months per year, so it doesn't make our top five list. The good news is there are many other excellent and uncrowded choices.
As well as established walking routes, most coastal towns have trails leading to other coastal towns – always ask for options wherever you stay. For urban walks, you'll find the old towns of Hania and Rethymno offer superb opportunities to explore enticing old lanes, taverna-filled squares, soaring fortresses and piers jutting out into turquoise seas. Here are our favorite hikes in Crete.
Imbros Gorge
Best hike for natural beauty
8km (5 miles) one-way, 3 hours, moderate
Often compared to the famous Samaria Gorge hike, the walk through Imbros Gorge can be recommended entirely on its own merits. At 8km (5 miles), the walk is just under half the length of the Samaria hike, yet it still packs in plenty of natural wonders. Most importantly, it is much less crowded than its more famous counterpart.
This former mule path (which was also used by thousands of British troops evacuating Crete in 1941) is bracketed by 300m (984ft) walls lined with fig and almond trees, cypresses and oaks. At one point the sheer cliff faces are only 2m (6.5ft) apart; along the trail, an arch of stone crosses right over the path.
The route begins in the tiny village of Imbros, where a small market has supplies and snacks for your walk. Be sure to bring a lot of water and wear sturdy shoes as the path has many large and loose stones. The trail starts at 780m (2560ft) above sea level, and the route descends 130m (427ft) to the finish point at Komitades, which also has a small market.
From here, you can follow the narrow road 4.6km (2.9 miles) down to the small fishing village of Hora Sfakion, which has a beach, hotels, and fine tavernas. Read More...
