Are you wondering what the best hikes in Crete are? If so, you’re in the right place as I’ve gathered all the best hiking trails in Crete for you after spending 2 months exploring the island.
Crete, Greece’s largest island, boasts endless natural beauty and diverse landscapes, home to many stunning hikes.
From breathtaking coastal paths to stunning jagged gorges, in this guide, I share with you the most beautiful hiking trails in Crete that you’ll find mostly on the western part of the Greek island.
Whether you’re looking for the most popular hikes in Crete or off-the-beaten-path trails, this guide will give you all the information you need to plan your trip to Crete!
Prepare for your trip to Crete
🏡 Book your accommodation in advance – find the best hotel deals for Crete here.
🤿 Find the best tours in Crete – book your adventures in Crete for an unforgettable holiday.
🚗 Rent a car – the best and easiest way to get around Crete is by renting a car.
🗺️ Find the best hikes and adventures in Crete – read my hiking and beaches guides for Crete here.
☂️ Travel Insurance – make sure you’re covered before your trip! I always use SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance which is super affordable and flexible.
💳 Travel cards – Get a Wise or Revolut bank cards to avoid overseas charges and save money on your travels.
Best Hikes in Crete Map
Here’s a map of the best hikes in Crete. This Crete hiking map is split into three categories: gorge hikes, coastal trails & mountain hikes.
Useful information for hiking in Crete:
⋙ My top recommendation for exploring Crete is to rent a car. This is the best way to reach remote areas with beautiful hikes and to avoid trying to figure out public transportation. A lot of the hikes on this list are only reachable by car, and being able to drive to different hikes is the best way to get the most out of your time in Crete! You can find the best deals for car rentals here.
⋙ Hiking apps: For off-the-beaten-path trails and lesser-known hikes, I recommend you get the AllTrails app. It’s a great app to discover the best routes in your area. I also recommend the free Maps.me app for offline directions while on the trail. Just make sure you download your maps before your hike!
⋙ Guided hiking tours in Crete: these are a great way to explore the best hiking trails. Without worrying about public transportation and hiking maps, if you prefer a hassle-free and organised for you hike, you can find the best guided tours for the more popular hikes in Crete here.
Best Gorge Hikes in Crete
I never saw the appeal of gorge hikes until I traveled to Crete! There are so many stunning gorge hikes in Crete and these are the best ones that you can’t miss on your trip!
1. Avlaki Gorge & Katholiko Bay Hike
Hike length: 4.5 kilometers / 2.8 miles
Elevation gain/loss: 255 meters / 836 feet
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Hiking time: 1.5-2 hours
Parking and trailhead: Gouverneto Monastery
Entrance fee: €2.50 in cash
This is one of the most beautiful and diverse hikes on Crete, and definitely my favourite one!
It’s lesser known by tourists so if you come in the morning, you’ll likely have it all to yourself, sharing it only with the resident mountain goats.
It’s a there-and-back type of trail, with a starting point at the Gouverneto Monastery. The hike follows a path down inside the gorge and to the oldest monastery on Crete, Katholiko Monastery.
From here, you’re in for a wonderful hike through the gorge, navigating the rocky terrain with beautiful wildflowers until you find yourself at Katholiko Bay – a small cove opening up to the Mediterranean Sea with crystal clear turquoise water.
It’s the perfect relatively easy gorge hike, and the bay at the end makes for an amazing spot to relax and sunbathe before heading back to the start of the trailhead.
2. Agia Irini Gorge Hike
Hike length: 7.5 kilometers / 4.6 miles
Elevation gain/loss: 500 meters / 1640 feet
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Hiking time: 2.5-3 hours (one way)
Type: There-and-back
Parking and trailhead: Google Maps location
Opening times: 7:30am – 8pm
Entrance fee: €2 in cash
This is another less-popular but stunning hike in Crete. The Agia Irini Gorge hike is a hidden gem, impressing with its diverse flora and fauna, countless olive trees and dramatic towering cliffs.
It’s a relatively easy hike and a great alternative to the famous Samaria Gorge hike, offering an easier route with a shorter distance and fewer crowds. It’s one of the best hikes in Crete that offers stunning views with not so many people on the trails.
There are multiple different options to do this hike depending on your preference.
You can either go all the way down to the end of the gorge and take a taxi back up to the parking lot, walk all the way to the end and back to the starting point or walk halfway down and back up.
No matter which option you choose, you’re in for a treat with a diverse hike passing through different terrains and nice viewpoints along the way offering spectacular views of the gorge.
Want more details about this hike? Read the full blog post here: Agia Irini Gorge Hike – Ultimate Guide
3. Kourtaliotiko Gorge Hike
Hike length: 2 kilometers / 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Hiking time: 1.5-2 hours
Parking and trailhead: Kantina
Entrance fee: Free
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge hike is one of the most rough, unexplored gorges in Crete, carving a dramatic path through the island’s rugged landscape.
It’s one of the few gorges with an active river running through them, making the hike even more unique and beautiful.
It’s the ideal choice if you’re looking for an adventure off the beaten path with stunning views and waterfalls, that is also a fairly easy hike to handle.
This is one of my favourite hikes in Crete as it involves climbing over rocks and following the path along the river as the terrain becomes more rugged and unexplored.
For a full day of adventure, I would recommend doing the Kourtaliotiko Gorge hike in the morning, followed by the nearby palm forest Preveli Beach hike afterward.
Want more details about this hike? Read the full blog post here: Kourtaliotiko Gorge Hike & Waterfalls – Detailed guide
If you want to do this hike with a guide, there’s a great value tour that includes transportation from Rethymno as well as the river trekking: Exclusive River Trekking – Kourtaliotiko Gorge.
4. Lissos Gorge Hike
Hike length: 2 kilometers / 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Hiking time: 1.5 hours each way
Parking and trailhead: Sougia
Entrance fee: Free
Lissos Gorge, located near the quaint coastal village of Sougia, offers a beautiful hike with diverse rock formations and stunning views.
The gorge can be explored as part of a longer hiking trail from Paleochora to Sougia (or vice-versa) or on its own either by starting from its official trailhead or from Sougia.
It’s a fairly small gorge dotted with pine trees and beautiful rock formations. If you’ve started your hike from Sougia, after about 1.5 hours you’ll find yourself at the Ancient city of Lissos. Next to it, you’ll see a small pebble beach, a perfect spot for a picnic.
From here, you can either walk back the same way or catch one of the regular boats from the beach, taking you back to Sougia.
This hike gives you a small glimpse into the E4 hiking trail which runs on the length of the coast of Crete. Boasting some of the most beautiful hikes on the island, some of which you can read about further down in this guide.
You can read my full guide about visiting Lissos Gorge and Sougia here: 7 Best Things to Do in Sougia, Crete
5. Imbros Gorge Hike
Hike length: 8 kilometers / 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 600 meters / 1960 feet
Hiking time: 2.5-3 hours
Parking and trailhead: Imbros Village
Entrance fee: €2.50
Parking fee: €5 (or free if you buy drinks at one of the restaurants)
Imbros Gorge, nestled in the White Mountains of Crete (Lefka Ori), is one of the most well-known gorges in Crete.
The 8 km hiking trail starts in the mountain village of Imbros, taking you through breathtaking scenery meandering through narrow pathways with towering cliffs and picturesque landscapes.
Featuring a gradual descent, the Imbros Gorge hike is much easier and shorter than the better-known Samaria Gorge.
Offering an accessible and easy, yet rewarding adventure, the Imbros Gorge hike is one of the few gorge hikes in Crete that are suitable for hikers of all abilities and ages. This makes it one of the best gorge walks in Crete for families and less mobile people.
Once you get to the end of the hike at Komitades village, you can take the bus (€5) or a private van (€30) to take you back up to the starting point at Imbros village.
If you prefer to do the hike with a knowledgeable guide, there’s a great value Imbros Gorge guided tour that includes your transportation from Chania as well as a stop at a close by turquoise water beach for a refreshing swim after the hike: Imbros Gorge and Lybian Sea Day Tour.
6. Samaria Gorge Hike
Hike length: 16 kilometers / 10 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: 1,250 meters / 4,100 feet
Hiking time: 7-9 hours
Parking and trailhead: Samaria Gorge Parking
Entrance fee: €5
Of course, we can’t talk about gorges in Crete without mentioning the spectacular Samariá Gorge hike.
Located in the Samaria National Park, Samaria Gorge is the most famous gorge in Crete and one of the most popular hiking trails on the island. Attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world every week from May to October.
And for good reason. Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe, standing as a natural masterpiece within Crete’s rugged landscape.
Nestled in the White Mountains, this iconic hike stretches for approximately 16 kilometers from the Omalos Plateau to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli.
The hike offers diverse terrain and views along the way, with towering cliffs, meandering paths, and a river with fresh drinking water.
With an elevation drop of about 1,250 meters (4,100 feet), the descent can be a physical challenge, being especially hard on the knees. However, the spectacular views, rocky terrain and diverse wilderness of the gorge make it all worth it.
The best way to do the Samaria Gorge hike is with a guided tour that includes your transportation and a knowledgeable guide: Full Day Samaria Gorge Trek Excursion
7. Aradena Gorge Hike
Hike length: 7 kilometers / 4.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: 600 meters / 1970 feet
Hiking time: 2-3 hours (one way)
Parking and trailhead: Aradena village
Entrance fee: Free
Aradena Gorge, a hidden gem in the southwestern Crete, offers a captivating trek through dramatic landscapes leading to one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, Marmara beach.
Measuring about 7 kilometers in length, the Aradena Gorge hike begins at the mountain village of Aradena, up in the White Mountains (Lefka Ora). The gorge follows a beautiful cut through down to the Libyan Sea, opening up at the stunning Marmara beach with the most beautiful crystal clear water and sea caves.
Lesser visited than the more popular Samaria, Agia Irini and Richtis gorge, Aradena gorge is well worth a visit if you want to experience a beautiful gorge hike in Crete without the crowds.
The hike difficulty is moderate due to the path being covered in rocks. The most difficult part of the hike is a rock face where you need to go down a rope and ladder to the bottom.
Make sure to plan some time to have a swim in the sea and enjoy a delicious lunch at the beach taverna at the end of the hike, to reward yourself for your hard effort!
The only downside of this hike is that logistics of how to get there and back can be a bit tricky. If you’re coming during the summer season between April and October you can ask at the taverna at the beach to help you out with a transfer back to the starting point.
You can find more details about transportation options for the Aradena Gorge hike here.
8. Sarakina Meskla Gorge – Best hike near Chania, Crete
Hike length: 2.4 km (to the gorge and back) / 7.6km (to the village of Zourva and back)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: Almost none (to the gorge and back) / 366m (1200 ft) (to the village of Zourva and back)
Hiking time: 1-3 hours
Parking and trailhead: Church of the Panagia
Entrance fee: Free
If you’re looking for a gorge hike near Chania, the Sarakina Meskla Gorge is a great choice to escape the busier hikes in Crete.
Though it’s less popular and less visited than the other gorges in Crete on this list, it’s still worth a visit as it’s easily reachable but still offers amazing nature views.
The start of the trail begins from the beautiful Church of the Panagia, set in between lush green mountain hills.
The hiking trail to the gorge is fairly easy and short, and mostly in the shade as you will be going through the forest. Making it perfect for avoiding the scorching sun on hot summer days.
After about a kilometer of walking you’ll find yourself at the entrance of the gorge. The initial part is wide but after a few metres, it narrows down and you’ll reach the most beautiful and impressive part of the gorge.
After you’ve reached the gorge (1.2km), you can either go back or continue going up the hillside to the village of Zourva (2.6km more) through the shaded forest for some panoramic vistas of the White Mountains.
Bear in mind if you decide to continue the hike to the village of Zourva, the trail gets steeper and therefore a little more challenging.
Best Beach Hikes and Coastal Trails in Crete
9. Preveli Beach Hike
Hike length: 7.6 kilometers / 4.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: 260 meters / 853 feet
Hiking time: 2-3 hours (one way)
Parking and trailhead: Gefyra Bridge
Entrance fee: Free
Preveli Beach is known for its crystal-clear waters, river delta, and the famous palm forest, making this secluded paradise a must-visit spot for travellers visiting Crete.
One of the best and most fun ways to explore the area and visit the beach is by doing a full day hike.
Starting from Gefyra Bridge where there’s a few cafes and free parking spaces, the walk to Preveli Beach from here takes approximately 2.5 hours each way.
It’s a circular walk which takes you alongside each of the gorge’s walls and down to Preveli Beach, with stunning panoramic views along the way. We did the hike clock-wise and really enjoyed the change of terrain and the views of Preveli beach from above.
There’s decent elevation at certain points but overall the hike is of easy to medium difficulty.
Pack a picnic and plan some time to chill at beach and enjoy the stunning waters of the Libyan sea.
However, keep in mind that the whole hike is pretty much out in the open so I wouldn’t recommend it during the hot summer months of July and August.
This hike is great to combine with the Kourtaliotiko Gorge hike mentioned above, as they’re only a short drive apart.
You can read my full guide about visiting Preveli Beach and the Palm Forrest here: Preveli Beach, Crete: Ultimate Guide to Visiting Preveli Palm Beach
10. Paleochora to Sougia hike / Sougia to Paleochora hike
Hike length: 14.5 kilometers / 9 miles
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: 285 meters / 938 feet
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Parking and trailhead: Paleochora / Sougia
Entrance fee: Free
Both Paleochora and Sougia are charming villages on the south coast of Crete, popular among locals and travellers.
If you’re going to do only one coastal hike in Crete along the E4 route, Sougia to Paleochora is the perfect choice with some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the sea and diverse landscapes.
You can do the hike in either direction depending on your preference and where you’re staying.
The hike takes approximately 5-6 hours depending on your speed, covering one of the most stunning coastal trails in Crete as well as going through the diverse landscape of Lissos Gorge near Sougia.
Make sure to start the hike early in the morning to allow you enough time to finish at a leisurely pace. As well as have time to stroll the cute little streets of Paleochora before heading back to Sougia (or vice versa if you’re starting from Paleochora) with the last boat back in the afternoon.
You can read my full guide about visiting Sougia here: 7 Best Things to Do in Sougia, Crete
11. Sweet Water Beach (Glyka Nera) to Loutro Hike
Hike length: 9 kilometers / 5.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: 306 meters / 1004 feet
Hiking time: 3 hours (one way)
Parking and trailhead: Google maps location
Another hiking path in southern Crete and the E4 hiking trail, the Sweet Water beach (also known as Glyka Nera beach) to Loutro hike is full of breathtaking scenery and picturesque views.
Loutro is a picturesque little village that can only be reached on foot or by boat, a must-visit on the Cretan seaside dotted with cute cafes and quaint restaurants.
The hike starts from the side of the road here. Don’t hesitate to park on the road after the bend. It’s a pretty normal thing to do here and you most likely won’t be the only car parked up around that spot.
The first 20 minutes are a little more challenging with a rocky terrain. However, that’s the only challenging part of the trail, making the rest of the path a pretty easy hike by the coast with beautiful views of the turquoise blue waters.
Wear trainers, bring water and sunscreen and prepare for the scorching Cretan sun. I’d recommend starting this hike early in the morning to avoid the hottest hours especially in the summer and to allow for some swimming time at Sweet Water Beach and a lunch at Loutro.
On the way back, you can either walk the same way to the trailhead or take a boat from Loutro back to Sweet Water Beach and walk back to your car from there.
Or why not stay the night in Loutro and enjoy the chilled Cretan vibe in the evening? There are a few small hotels in the village that you can book here.
This hike can also be done from Chora Sfakion as your starting point if this is where you’re staying.
This will add an extra couple of kilometers to your walk to the beginning of the trail but means you don’t have to park on the side of the road.
12. Loutro to Marmara beach Hike
Hike length: 3 kilometers / 1.9 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: 150 meters / 505 feet
Hiking time: 2 hours (one way)
Parking and trailhead: Behind Sofia’s Mini Market in Loutro
Loutro and Marmara beach are two of my favourite places on the Cretan coast, so you’re in for a beautiful coastal path here!
From Loutro you can find the trailhead just to the left of Sofia’s Mini Market. From here, hike up past the Venetian castle, following the yellow and black markers toward the village of Phoenix.
The trail takes you through the few guest houses and tavernas in the small village of Likkos, continuing onto a cliffside path to Marmara.
Marmara Beach is absolutely stunning. It’s a rocky beach with a few lounge chairs and a small taverna but the highlight here is the unbelievably crystal clear water and the super cool marble sea caves on the left side of the beach.
The last part of the path is narrow and rocky, towering above a steep cliffside, so make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes and be very careful.
Due to this, the trail can be a little dangerous at times, so don’t do this hike if it’s raining or if it has recently rained.
If the conditions don’t allow hiking, you can also take a boat from Loutro to Marmara and back, leaving Loutro at 11 am and returning at 5 pm.
13. Elafonisi Beach to Kedrodas Beach coastal walk
Hike length: 3 kilometers / 1.9 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain/loss: almost none
Hiking time: 1 hour (one way)
Parking and trailhead: Elafonisi Beach
Have you been dreaming of the pink sand Crete beaches that you see all over social media?
If so, Elafonisi Beach is probably pretty high on your list of places to visit in Crete. While Elafonisi is still worth visiting, its popularity has brought thousands of tourists to its shores. Making it much less pristine and untouched than what it’s been years ago.
However, a short walk away from the crowds of Elafonisi you’ll find Kedrodas beach. A hidden gem, often overlooked and less visited, Kedrodas Beach in my opinion is even more beautiful than Elafonisi.
Start your trip early in the morning to enjoy the pink sands of Elafonisi before the crowds arrive, and then walk towards Kedrodas for some regained tranquility.
The walk between the two will take you only about an hour before you find yourself among pine trees and a long stretch of golden sands.
Keep walking further till you get to the small lagoon beaches, where you’ll find pure paradise – small sandy beaches with crystal clear waters and pine trees to lay under and hide from the sun. Words can’t describe can’t beautiful and peaceful this place is – pure bliss for the soul.
Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks with you as there are no facilities at Kedrodas.
If you prefer to come here by guided tour, you can book a day trip to Elafonisi Beach and use some of your free time to walk to Kedrodas. This is the easiest way to visit both beaches that includes organised transportation from Chania and back.
14. Balos Beach
Hike length: 3 kilometers / 1.9 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: 300 meters / 984 feet
Hiking time: 30 minutes (one way)
Parking and trailhead: Balos Beach car park
Balos Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, with turquoise blue waters and a dash of pink sand on its shores.
It’s also one of the most popular beaches on Crete, so make sure to visit as early in the morning as possible to enjoy this place without the crowds.
While this is more of a short trail down to the beach rather than a full hiking expedition, the Balos Beach hike is still worth mentioning as one of the best hikes in Crete for its stunning views.
The trail starts from the car park, and it takes approximately a 30-minute hike down to Balos Beach. There’s a 300-meter decline down some well-built stairs, and the views over the Balos Lagoon make the dirt road drive to get here and the hike worth it.
Relax at the beach and go for a swim in the stunning blue waters. This is one of my favourite beaches and you could easily spend all day here admiring the jaw-dropping landscape of the lagoon.
Keep in mind that there’s no shade whatsoever the whole way down to the beach, so come early and bring a hat, some water, and some snacks if you’re planning to lounge on the beach.
You can read my full guide about visiting Balos Beach here: Balos Beach: Detailed Guide – How to get to Balos & Everything you need to know
15. E4 trail multi-day hikes in Crete
If you’re looking for a bit more adventure and seek a unique experience hiking in Crete, consider embarking on a multi-day hike along the E4 trail in Crete.
Combining multiple of the hikes above into a multi-day hiking itinerary is a really good way to make the most of your trip and not waste time going back to your starting point each day.
You can combine any of the hikes above into a longer hiking trail. However, if you want the ultimate hiking experience I’d recommend starting your trip in the village of Chora Sfakion and ending it at Paleochora or Elafonisi, or the other way around.
Chora Sfakion, Paleochora and Elafonisi can be reached by bus from Chania and Rethymnon, making it easy to get to get to start of the hike and back.
With this route you’ll cover some of the most beautiful coastal paths on the southwestern coast of Crete, some of which I’ve already mentioned earlier in this article.
Of course, feel free to adjust this route to suit you best, based on your time availability and your physical abilities.
Most of these places are also well-connected by ferries and boats. So there’s always the option to cover some of the distances by ferry instead of walking, in case you change your mind and decide to go back at an earlier point.
Example multi-day hike in Crete:
Day 1: Chora Sfakion – Loutro
Day 2: Loutro – Marmara Beach – Agia Roumeli
Day 3: Agia Roumeli – Sougia
Day 4: Sougia – Paleochora
Day 5: Paleochora – Elafonisi
Whether you do just part of this route or the full one, you’re in for an amazing experience exploring some of the best hikes in Crete!
Best Mountain Hikes in Crete
16. Cave Lera Hike
Hike length: 0.8 kilometers / 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: 177 meters / 580 ft
Hiking time: 1 hour
Parking and trailhead: Google Maps location
This is one of the best short hikes in Crete, and one of my favourites that I’ve done more than once!
Cave Lera offers some spectacular views over Gold Coast beach and it’s perfect for a late afternoon or sunset hike.
The trailhead starts here, close to Stavros beach, and it takes you up a short rocky hike uphill. While there’s no clear marking, the trail is fairly obvious and easy to follow. It’s steep but well worth the effort for the panoramic views from the top.
Once you get to the cave you can also go inside the four chambers, so make sure to bring a torch if you’d like to do that. The local mountain goats take refuge in the cave, so watch where you step as they leave lots of traces behind 😂
You can easily spend the whole day at the Gold Coast beach and then do the hike in the afternoon for some amazing sunset views.
If you come a bit earlier, take a walk at the bottom of the hill through the impressive limestone landscape.
17. Xyloskalo – Afchenas – Gigilos hike in the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) National Park
Hike length: 9 kilometers / 5.6 miles
Difficulty level: Hard
Elevation gain/loss: 917 meters / 3000 feet
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Parking and trailhead: Google Maps location
If you’re looking for a more challenging trail in the largest mountain range in Crete, the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), and you’re an experienced hiker, this one is for you.
The trail starts at Xyloskalo, the same starting point as the Samaria Gorge hike. However, the difference is that this time you’re going up the mountain peaks rather than down the gorge.
Most of the Xyloskalo – Afchenas – Gigilos hike is uphill with parts of it in a rocky terrain with steep sides drop-offs, making it quite a challenging trail. The last hour of the hike is especially challenging as it involves some rock climbing and scrambling your way up.
The views from the highest peak over Samaria Gorge are absolutely gorgeous (pun intended).
However, the panoramas throughout the whole hike are just as beautiful. So don’t hesitate to turn back at any point if you decide you don’t want to continue with the hike, you’ll still get some amazing views even if you only go halfway.
Be prepared with sturdy shoes and a light jacket even on hot summer days, as the temperatures drop as you ascend the peak. Bring snacks and enough water, and enjoy one of the most beautiful mountain hikes in Crete!
18. Komolithi
Difficulty level: Easy
Parking and trailhead: Komolithi
Komolithi is a secret gem on the route to the famous Elafonisi Beach.
Not so much a hike, as it is one of the easy walks, Komolithi wins its place on this list of best hikes in Crete due to its awe-inspiring landscape.
It’s definitely worth a visit on your way to the beaches and other hikes in Crete for its unique white pyramid slopes and the beautiful scenery they create.
The strange-shaped dunes resembling white sand mountains were created due to the erosion of underlying soft clay soil several thousand years ago. Which explains the traces of fossils that can be found here.
A very beautiful and unique site, ascending the Komolithi hills and walking among them is very easy, making this a perfect easy walk for all abilities. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Crete!
The most recommended guided hiking tours in Crete:
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Hikes in Crete
• Where to stay on Crete?
Some of the best places to stay in Crete are Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Sitia.
Western Crete is the best area to stay to be closer to most of the trailheads of the best hikes in Crete, making them easily accessible. Chania and Rethymno are great places to base yourself while exploring the most beautiful hikes in Crete. You can find the best hotel deals for Crete here.
If you’re looking for that 5-star Greek island experience, you can check out my article about the Best 5-star Adult Only Hotels in Crete here.
• What’s the best time to go hiking in Crete?
The best time to go hiking in Crete is between April to June and September to November. During this time the temperatures are mild and relatively warm, perfect for long hikes and spending time outdoors.
The summer months of July and August experience very high temperatures so hiking is recommended mainly in the morning and late afternoon, especially if there isn’t much shade on the hike.
And of course, provided that you don’t get bad weather, the winter months between December to March are great for hiking without the crowds although temperatures will be a lot lower during those months.
• Does Crete have good hiking?
The short answer is YES, absolutely! Crete is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts offering a diverse and stunning array of great hikes that cater to all ability levels.
Whether you’re looking for challenging mountain hikes, stunning gorge trails, or coastal paths along the Lybian Sea, Crete’s hiking trails are immense and are bound to leave you speechless!
• What is the most famous gorge in Crete?
The Samaria Gorge is widely regarded as the most famous gorge in Crete. Stretching approximately 16 kilometers, it starts from the White Mountains and finishes at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli, offering hikers breathtaking scenery and dramatic cliffs.
Samaria Gorge is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world, one of the must-visit hiking experiences in Crete.
• What is the easiest gorge to walk in Crete?
One of the easiest gorges to walk in Crete is the Imbros Gorge. With a length of about 8 kilometers, it offers a relatively easy hike compared to some of the more challenging gorges on the island.
The trail takes you through a beautiful landscape with scenic views and natural beauty. The well-maintained path and moderate difficulty level make it accessible to hikers of all abilities, including those with less experience.
• Do I need a car in Crete?
While not absolutely necessary, renting a car in Crete can greatly enhance your experience on your trip. Especially if you’re planning on exploring the endless hiking trails and coastal paths in Crete.
Public transportation is available but may not always be as flexible or convenient for reaching some of the more remote or secluded hiking spots.
A rental car gives you the ultimate freedom to explore the hidden gems of the island at your own pace and have the best hiking adventures! When renting a car in Crete, I always use and recommend RentalCars.com for finding the best deals!
Final thoughts
Crete is one of the most unique places in Europe, boasting both incredible beaches and awe-inspiring hikes.
The diversity and beauty of the island make it the perfect place for adventure-seekers and nature lovers, with a ton of different hikes that will make you fall in love with the island!
If you have any questions about any of the hikes above, feel free to leave me a comment below! Happy hiking 🥾
Read my other Crete blogs
I spent two months exploring Crete in search of the most beautiful places and experiences. These are some of my most popular guides about Crete that will be super helpful for planning your trip!
⋙ 14 Most Beautiful Beaches in Chania, Crete
⋙ Preveli Beach, Crete: Ultimate Guide to Visiting Preveli Palm Beach
⋙ Agia Irini Gorge Hike, Crete – Everything You Need to Know
⋙ Kourtaliotiko Gorge Hike & Waterfalls: Detailed Guide
⋙ 7 Best Things to Do in Sougia, Crete – Ultimate Guide for visiting Sougia
⋙ Balos Beach: Detailed Guide – How to get to Balos & Everything you need to know
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