Crete is best discovered on foot. It is on foot that it reveals itself most fully: in the silence of a gorge where only the song of swifts echoes, on a coastal trail where the sea appears at every turn, at the edge of a village where you are offered a glass of raki before you have even asked for directions. Here are our favourite walks, those that best capture the spirit of this generous island.
Samaria Gorge: the classic
Samaria needs no introduction, and yet the emotion remains intact with every visit. From the first steps, the trail plunges into a mineral world where limestone walls rise to vertiginous heights. The descent crosses a forest of Cretan cypress, follows a stream that plays hide and seek among the rocks, and ends where the cliffs narrow to just three metres wide: the famous "Iron Gates." You emerge at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli, facing the Libyan Sea, with the feeling of having crossed an entire world. The final reward: feet in the water, grilled fish on a taverna terrace. Samaria is a classic for good reasons.
Imbros Gorge: the gentle alternative
Shorter, less crowded, the Imbros Gorge offers a charming alternative for those who prefer serenity to grandeur. The trail winds between walls sculpted by time, passes beneath wild fig trees, and crosses dry-stone walls that bear witness to an ancient pastoral life. The light plays with the shadows, the air is fragrant with thyme and sage. You take your time, you stop, you breathe. At the end, the village of Komitades welcomes walkers with Cretan simplicity: a table in the shade, olives, fresh cheese, a smile.
Agia Irini Gorge: serenity in the shade
Less famous than Samaria, the Agia Irini Gorge offers a discreet charm that will appeal to those who prefer tranquillity. The trail descends gently over about seven kilometres, through lush vegetation where plane trees and oaks create generous shade. The air is fragrant with sage and wild thyme, and the murmur of water accompanies every step. The path is open year-round, well marked, and ends near Sougia, a seaside village where you happily sit down for grilled fish facing the Libyan Sea. It is the ideal walk for a gentle day, with a picnic in the bag and the pleasure of walking unhurried.
Aradena Gorge: wild beauty and a secret beach
For those seeking a bit more solitude, the Aradena Gorge holds a fine surprise. The trail starts from the abandoned village of the same name, reached by crossing a vertiginous bridge suspended above the void. The descent through the gorge leads, in a few kilometres, to Marmara beach, one of the most isolated and most beautiful on the south coast. The water is an intense turquoise, the silence broken only by the surf. A few passages require some care, but nothing insurmountable for a seasoned walker. The return via the coastal trail towards Loutro extends the pleasure with splendid sea views.
From Loutro to Marmara: the sea in your sights
This coastal trail is one of the finest in Crete. From Loutro, a small village accessible only by boat or on foot, the path climbs up the cliff and then follows the south coast, offering a continuous panorama over the Libyan Sea. The blue is so deep it becomes almost unreal. You pass Marmara beach, often deserted, where golden sand invites a swimming break. The return can be made by boat, sitting at the bow of a caique, face offered to the warm wind. This is Crete at its purest.
The Lassithi Plateau: a pastoral walk
Far from the coasts and the bustle of beach life, the Lassithi Plateau is another face of Crete. Ringed by mountains, dotted with white-sailed windmills, this fertile plateau lives to the rhythm of the agricultural seasons. The walk here is gentle, between apple orchards, potato fields, and small villages where time seems suspended. You stop to taste yoghurt with honey at a farm, to watch a shepherd with his goats on the slopes, to simply contemplate the quiet beauty of a landscape cultivated by humans for millennia.
From Paleochora to Sougia: the southern coastal trail
This full-day walk follows the cliffs of the south-west coast for about fourteen kilometres. The trail alternates between elevated passages offering spectacular panoramas and descents to isolated coves, often deserted, where you can swim in complete tranquillity. In the final third of the route, a resin-scented pine forest offers welcome shade. You also cross the ancient site of Lissos, whose ruins span from the 2nd century BC to the 9th century AD. A Temple of Asklepios, mosaics, and chapels: the site invites a contemplative pause, between history and nature. Arriving at Sougia, a quiet fishing port, rewards the day with a dinner in the sand.
Valley of the Dead: Zakros and its mysteries
At the eastern tip of Crete, far from the most frequented routes, the Valley of the Dead (Zakros Gorge) offers a walk steeped in history. Its name, far from gloomy, refers to the Minoan funerary caves that dot its walls. The trail winds for about ten kilometres through preserved Mediterranean vegetation, between oleanders and wild fig trees. You emerge at the coastal village of Kato Zakros, its pebble beach, and the ruins of a Minoan palace, the smallest of the four great palaces of Crete, but perhaps the most moving for its wild setting. A walk that will please nature lovers and ancient history enthusiasts alike.
Elafonissi peninsula: between land and water
The path leading to the Elafonissi peninsula crosses a landscape of low maquis, fragrant with cistus and rosemary. Then the earth gives way, the sand takes on pink hues, and suddenly you walk between two waters: the lagoon on one side, the open sea on the other. At low tide, you reach the islet on foot, through a few centimetres of warm, crystal-clear water. It is a place apart, almost tropical, where the colours seem retouched and are not. The walk is not long, but the wonder lasts.
Chania: a stroll through the old town
Not all beautiful walks pass through mountains. Chania offers one of the finest urban strolls in Greece. The old Venetian harbour, with its 16th-century lighthouse and converted warehouses, has the grace of a town that has traversed centuries without losing its soul. You get lost in the lanes of the Turkish quarter, discover a leather workshop in a dead-end alley, taste a bougatsa (cream-filled pastry) still warm from an artisan at the covered market. In the evening, the harbour terraces come alive, and the sunset light on the Venetian facades composes a picture that no postcard could capture.
Tips for enjoying the Cretan trails
Crete is generous, but so is the sun. Remember to bring plenty of water, as most trails have no refreshment points. A hat, sunscreen, and good walking shoes are essential: the paths are often rocky. Slip a swimsuit into your bag, as many walks end at a cove or a beach. And do not forget a snorkel: the Cretan seabed is full of small wonders.
For the gorges, check opening dates before setting out. Samaria generally closes by mid-October, and some gorges may be impassable after heavy rain. If in doubt, locals and hoteliers are invaluable advisors: they know the trails better than anyone and will happily point you in the right direction.
When to go
Crete lends itself to walking from spring to autumn, but two seasons stand out. Crete in September offers a warm sea and quiet gorges. Crete in October adds autumn colours and the first olive harvests. Autumn remains our favourite season for this island.
Our stays in Crete
- Crete, between villages and the Libyan Sea: the south coast at your own pace, between gorges, fishing villages, and secret coves.
- Crete, from the Lassithi Plateau to the southern shores: from the mountains to the sea, a gentle crossing of the island.
- Authentic Crete, between mountains and sea: a guided trip to discover the island's hidden treasures, from the plateau to the shoreline.
Solène Roux
Responsable Éditoriale
