The Ultimate Crete Hiking Guide: Gorges, Mountains, and Coastal Trails
Take a Walk Around Crete’s Most Beautiful Landscapes
Hiking in Crete brings a whole lot of diverse landscapes, from beaches to gorges to mountains. Even better, many Cretan trails take hikers past historic and religious sites as well, including tiny chapels, monastic ruins, and small villages. It’s safe to say that these trails are often the best of nature and history, rolled into one.
As with any hiking trail, please make sure you’re well-prepared before heading out. Bring more water than you think you’ll need and lather on the sunscreen. Many of Crete’s hiking trails are particularly rocky, too, so be sure that you have proper footwear as well.
1. Samaria Gorge
Challenging hike with nature and history
Good for: Adventure, History, Photo
Located within the popular and stunning Samaria Gorge National Park, the Samaria Gorge Trail is a must-do during your time in Crete. It’s one of the more challenging hikes on the island, requiring about 16 km of hiking and thousands of feet of elevation gain. All in all, it typically takes hikers around 6 or 7 hours to complete.
So, what makes this Crete hike worth all the effort? Well, there’s a whole lot to see along the way. Mountain peaks, gorge views, black-sand beaches, Byzantine ruins, and historic little villages are just the beginning. To enjoy the stunning scenery longer, spend the night at the end of the hike in the small town of Agia Roumeli.
Location: Sfakia 730 11, Greece
Samaria Gorge
2. Red Beach trail
Easy trail to a reddish sand beach
Good for: Adventure, Unusual
The Red Beach Trail, also called Matala, is a lovely, easy coastal hike. It’s about 2 km each way and takes about an hour. In reality, the point of this trail is to get hikers from Matala Beach to the harder-to-access Red Beach.
For clarity, this little slip of shoreline may not be exactly what you might expect at the end of the hiking trail, for three reasons. First off, the sand is more of an orange color. Second, nudity is welcome. And last but not least, there are three quite active bars lining this relatively small crescent. So, toast a successful hiking day with a refreshing drink and enjoy the fantastic hues of sunset.
Location: Red Beach Trail, Matala 702 00, Greece
Red Beach trail
3. Imbros Gorge
Moderately difficult gorge hike
Good for: Adventure, Photo
After the Samaria Gorge, the Imbros Gorge is the second-most popular gorge in Crete. It’s also a moderate trail instead of a challenging one, covering 8 km of distance and 600 meters of elevation. All in all, it typically takes hikers 2.5 hours. Along the way, you’ll get to take in the beauty of the gorge walls, the wildflowers, and thriving cypress trees.
For the easiest experience, you may want to book a tour. They’ll arrange a meal at the endpoint town of Komitades, as well as transportation back to the starting point. Alternatively, if you prefer to venture out on your own, take an unofficial Komitades taxi run by locals to the start of the hike.
Location: Hora Sfakion 730 11, Greece
Imbros Gorge
4. Richtis Gorge
Moderate hike with a waterfall break
Good for: Adventure, Photo, Unusual
Richtis Gorge tends to fly under the radar for visitors to Crete. You likely won’t come across many other hikers, but the 9.5-km trail is still well-marked. Unlike many other Crete hikes that are mountainous and rocky, Richtis Gorge is home to lush greenery that isn’t commonly found on the island. Even better, you’ll come across a small waterfall partway through. While during dry seasons it’s often just a trickle, it can become a full cascade after a good rainfall, making it wonderful for a mid-hike swim.
As an added bonus, the drive to Richtis Gorge is absolutely stunning, filled with incredible ocean views. Stop by the viewpoints along the road to enjoy the scenery and take some unique photos.
Location: ΕΟ Αγίου Νικολάου Σητείας 221, Exo Mouliana 720 57, Greece
Richtis Gorge
5. Stavros – Moni Katholiko
Monastic ruins and peaceful coves
Good for: Adventure, History
Hike to the ruins of an ancient monastery on the Stavros, Moni Katholiko, Avlaki Cove Trail. All in all, it’s quite a challenging trek, covering 13 km and nearly 610 meters of elevation gain. But this pilgrimage of sorts leads to the ruins of the Katholiko Monastery, a millennium-old structure that was once one of the largest monasteries on the island. After that, you can continue following the trail to the peaceful Avlaki Cove.
Do note that while the Katholiko Monastery ruins are open to visitors, the hours are limited and unpredictable. Be prepared to enjoy the trek even without doing a deep dive around the ruins.
Location: Akrotiri 731 00, Greece
Stavros – Moni Katholiko
6. E4 Paleochora to Sougia
Scenic section of a larger, pan-European hiking trail
Good for: Adventure, History
The E4 Paleochora to Sougia Trail is part of a long-distance hiking network that runs along the Mediterranean. It finds its origins in Spain, ends in Cyprus, and covers more than 10,000 km along the way. This small section in Crete is much more manageable, at just 15 km long.
Along the way, you’ll get a sampling of the best of Crete: beautiful beaches, lush gorges, and tucked-away ruins, just to start. Don’t miss the historic temple of Asclepius and its eye-catching mosaic-tiled floor.
Location: Anatolikos Selinos 730 09, Greece
E4 Paleochora to Sougia
7. Nida Plateau – Mount Ida
Summit the tallest mountain in Crete
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Climb to the top of Crete’s highest peak, Mount Ida, via the Nida Plateau Trail. Over the course of 8 km, you’ll end up climbing nearly 1,500 meters in elevation gain. It’s safe to say this trail is definitely not for the faint of heart. If you can handle the trek, you’ll be rewarded with unobstructed views of the Psiloritis Mountains, the rest of Crete, and the Mediterranean Sea.
It’s important to note that the last mile or so of this hike is very windy. Add the elevation into the mix, and the temperatures at the peak feel much colder than at the start. Consider bringing a jacket or windbreaker.
Location: Kouloukonas 740 51, Greece
Nida Plateau – Mount Ida
8. Mili Gorge
A relatively easy gorge hike
Good for: Adventure, Families
If you’re a beginner hiker, make your way to Crete’s Mili Gorge for a very doable 4-km hike. To make it as easy as possible, you’ll want to start at the southern end of the gorge. That way, you’ll be going downhill most of the way.
Over the 1.5-hour adventure, you’ll spot lush greenery and watermills, wooden bridges and waterfalls, crumbling ruins and tiny churches. Enjoy the landscape that feels like a never-ending montage of picturesque spots that’ll have you filling up your camera roll.
Location: Mili gorge, Mili 741 3e33300, Greece
Mili Gorge
9. Rouvas Forest Gorge
One of Crete’s more challenging gorge hikes
Good for: Adventure, Photo
If you’re looking for a blood-pumping gorge hike, head to the Rouvas Forest Gorge that may be one of the best Crete hikes to fit that particular bill. The 10-km trail and 610 meters of elevation gain aren’t the tricky part. Rather, it’s the rocky, windy, narrow sections of trail. Proper footwear with traction is a must.
If you feel experienced enough to still tackle this trail, you’ll have lots to enjoy. Cretan flora and fauna abound, accompanied by the occasional chapel, church, and monastery. Take your time to admire this lovely blend of nature, religion, and history.
Location: Zaros 700 02, Greece
Rouvas Forest Gorge
10. Zakros Gorge
Gorge hike through an ancient burial ground
Good for: Adventure, History, Photo
Like the Paleochora to Sougia Trail, the Zakros Gorge is another Crete hike that’s a part of the pan-European E4 trail. But instead of wandering through different landscapes, this particular 12-km hike is just peak gorge views with a whole lot of history.
The Zakros Gorge is sometimes known as the Gorge of the Dead, as it’s where the ancient Minoans, the ancient people of Crete, buried their dead. As a matter of fact, to this day, you can see the caves that were used as graves. Be respectful and leave them as undisturbed as possible.
Location: Τοπική Κοινότητα Ζάκρου, Itanos 723 00, Greece
Zakros Gorge
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