Walking in West Crete – Michael Nugent – 2026

Itinerary – Walking in West Crete

April 27th : Start Chania
Welcome by your guide at at 20h45 at Chania airport (Ryanair flight coming from Dublin FR 7354) and private transfer (30 min) to your 3* hotel Arkadi, ideally located in the centre of Chania. Plenty of good value snacks / restaurants around the hotel to get food if you wish up to late in the evening.
Dinner not included (late arrival). April 28th : East side of Chania from Gavalochori to Almyrida
Perfect first day walk on easy terrain, we can make it any length from 10 to 15km. Walk to Almyrida passing some lovely Cretan villages like Gavalochori, Douliana and Tsivaras. Swimming possible at the end of the walks.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included April 29th : Mountain walks – Omalos – White mountains
Today after a bus transfer to Omalos of about 1 hour you will explore the white mountains and a total different scenery. You will climb to Kallergi shelter, a mountain refuge will amazing views all around of the north white mountains from two different routes.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included. April 30th : Walk Akrotiri Peninsula
The group will take a short bus transfer (30 min) to the Akrotiri peninsula. The walk will explore many sites, the Monastery Katholiko (16th Century and still a working monastery), the cave of the Hermit John (It is a large chamber with a massive stalagmite in the middle resembling the shape of a bear. In antique times this cave was dedicated to the goddess Artemis) and Catolico Fiord. This walk involves some technical terrain with loose stones. You will enjoy magnificent sea views and will finish in Stavros, a great place for swimming.
Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included May 1st : Samaria Gorges
The Samaria Gorge is Crete’s best known natural feature and certainly the most popular walk on the island. Each year many thousands of people complete this route and at times the trail can feel very crowded. Nevertheless this popularity is certainly justified by the superb scenery and the sense of achievement.
The Gorge itself is 18km miles long and descends (no climbing) from the Omalos Plateau to the sea at Agia Roumeli and Is a relatively challenging walk. You will take an early transfer to the village of Omalos (1h) the north entrances to the Gorge. Fantastic but long walk on rocky terrain.
You will take the boat back to Sfakia to join Xenia Hotel in Hora Sfakion.
Note: Sometimes high water levels can mean that the Gorge is closed to tourists – in this situation alternative walks will be substituted.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included. May 2nd : South white mountains coastal walk.
Take a local boat to Loutro in the morning, walk up to Aradena entry gorges and down the gorges to Marmara, then return to Sfakia by private boat. Amazing walk, very varied, coast, gorges, lovely boat transfers.
Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner not included. May 3rd : Pachnes
Staying in Sfakia gives us to opportunity to organise a day trip to the highest mountain of the white mountains Pachnes (2453 m). This involves a transfer on an open pick up 4 wheel drive, an experience ! to access the white mountain. Many options are possible for this amazing walk in a splendid mountain environment.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included May 4th : Free morning in Hora Sfakion and transfer to Chania
Enjoy Hora Sfakion in the morning, and transfer to Chania after lunch, to 4* Hotel Samaria.
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included. May 5th : Farewell!!
Spend the morning in Chania before transfer to Chania airport to match Ryanair flight FR 7355 at 17h35 to Dublin.
Breakfast included.