Walking Weeks

Walking Weeks

WALKING HOLIDAYS IN CRETE AND THE SAMARIAN GORGE FOR SINGLE TRAVELLERS

APRIL AND OCTOBER 2024 

The range of walking opportunities in the glorious hills and gorges of Western Crete is simply incomparable. Hiking trails are quiet at this time, the weather is absolutely beautiful and not too hot, and the company is excellent. We run one-week walking packages exclusively for single holiday makers in Spring and Autumn. Both are particularly stunning times to enjoy the flora and fauna of one of the biggest island in the Mediterranean.

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES ALL OF THE FOLLOWING

  • 7-night single accommodation in boutique hotel room with no single room supplement
  • 4 walks with at least 2 experienced and expert guides, private minibus transfers and taverna or packed lunch
  • Optional choice of free trip to walk the Samaria Gorge (if open) or free full body massage in the Mistral’s Althea Wellness Suite
  • Breakfast, and dinner with copious free wine, every day – dinner at a communal table so you never need eat alone
  • Transfer from Chania airport (Tuesdays only)
  • Help/advice on finding flights if needed
  Standard room Deluxe room
Spring walking tour: 23 – 30 April 2024 €1479 (£1265) €1660 (£1420)
Autumn walking tour: 15 – 22 October 2024 €1479 (£1265) €1660 (£1420)

All Club Mistral* members are entitled to a 5% discount on accommodation. The price does not include flights or travel insurance.

*Club Mistral membership is free and open for all visitors to this page to join here.

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Crete is a beautiful island and there is no better way to experience the wonderful flora, fauna and stunning scenery than on foot, in the company of like-minded people. Our Crete walking days are classed from easy to moderate and range from 2 to 5 hours. Some involve a degree of rocky terrain so walking shoes/boots are essential. All walks are led by an experienced guide and rest stops are schedule as needed. Provided you are reasonably fit you should have no problems at the start of the week. By the end of the week you’ll feel even fitter!

NOW INCLUDING THE SAMARIA GORGE 

Further to requests from regular guests we will wherever possible offer the chance to walk the Samaria Gorge. Quite simply this is one of the great walks of the world – it’s 5 hours, all mostly downhill, but when you get to the other end you get such an amazing sense of achievement and that first drink in one of the local bars is wonderful. Luckily, we don’t need to walk out – we get a boat back to our road transport. It’s worth noting that the terrain is fairly challenging, but the times of year we walk are not too hot. For those walkers who feel this might be a ‘trek to far’ we can organise something more gentle. Also be aware that of all out planned walks this is the most vulnerable to inclement weather conditions.

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WONDERFUL TERRAIN, WONDERFUL FLORA AND FAUNA

During our walks you will learn about the culture, history, myths and legends of the Real Crete and be able to feel the genuine “filoxenia” (hospitality) of the local people. You will see and smell the aromatic wild herbs and plants of the White Mountains such as thyme, oregano, chamomile, Cretan dittany, and marjoram. There will also be many native buzzards, vultures and migrating birds to watch.

SPRING FLOWERS 

Come and join our Spring walking week and you’ll be simply amazed at the spring flowers that cascade across and carpet our hills and valleys. If you love your gardening it’s an absolute horticulturist’s delight.  It gives a whole new meaning to ‘full of the joys of spring!’

AUTUMN COLOURS 

Late summer and early autumn tend to be something of a moveable feast in Crete, partly depending how high you go and how far from the sea you are. The sun is lower, bouncing off the ocean, and the colours are magnificent. Really and truly, to see Crete in its raiment of natural glory, you need to come at least twice – once early, once late.

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A SELECTION OF WALKS

Nopigia – Ravdouha (Moderate/Difficult – 3 hours)

A stunning coastal walk along the Rotherpou Peninsular starting from the ancient village of Nopigia and ascending to great heights overlooking the Kissamos Bay. This circular walk finishes in the traditional village of Ravdouha for lunch.

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Gouverneto Monastery (Moderate – 3 hours)

This walk starting at the 16th Century Gouverneto Monastery on the Akrotiri peninsular follows an ancient path originally traced by an 11th Century hermit who founded the island’s earliest monastery. From an elevated position, there is a steep descent firstly to a cave dedicated to Panagia Arkoudiotissa with a huge bear shaped stalagmite at its centre. Then a further walk down to the ruins of Katholikou Monastery built into the escarpment.

Anidri Gorge to Paleochora (Easy/Moderate 3 hours)

Starting from the tiny village of Anidri, this gorge may not be impressively high or with vertical walls but it forms part of a diverse ecosystem and is ideal to observe Cretan nature. The gorge finishes at the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea where you will continue the trail along the shore to Paleochora.

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Agia Irini Gorge (Moderate/Difficult – 4 hours)

West of Samaria is the gorge of Agia Irini which makes up part of the world famous E4 European Walking Path. We drive for around an hour to reach the entrance to the gorge which has high mountains on both sides and rocky terrain. Vegetation consists of plane trees, pine and cypress trees and many different wild herbs and spices.

Deliana Gorge (Easy – 2 hours)

Deliana gorge provides another very scenic walk and is not too strenous. You walk downhill surrounded by towering cliffs on either side with Hawks and Griffon Vultures wheeling overhead. A tiny church in a clearing provides a resting place at the bottom of the gorge before the track levels out and ends in the village of Deliana.

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Sirikari Gorge (Moderate – 2.5 hours)

The valley floor of this rocky gorge is full of lush vegetation. Steep cliffs surround us on this gentle walk which finishes at the Archaeological site of Polyrheneia, an ancient city dating from 300BC.

Elafonissi to Paleochora (Moderate/Difficult – 4 hours)

This beautiful coastal walk follows the turquoise sea and sandy beaches on the south west coast of Crete. There are plenty of opportunites to enjoy the flora and fauna during the walk which ends at a famous beach where you can swim.

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The restored village of Milia (Easy/Moderate – 3 hours)

Milia is a lovely little village up in the hills where all local produce is organic and you can sample the wonderful food and local wine provided by the taverna. You may stop to look at a tiny whitewashed Byzantine church before the walk downhill through the flower-filled chestnut and olive groves.

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See our blog post about the Walking Week here

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