The range of walking opportunities in the glorious hills and gorges of Western Crete is simply incomparable. From moderate walks to the ‘trophy’ hike of the Samarian Gorge, trails are quiet, the weather is beautiful and not too hot, and the company is excellent. We offer one-week guided walking packages in Spring and Autumn, exclusively for single holiday makers. Both are particularly stunning times to enjoy the flora and fauna of the fifth biggest island in the Mediterranean.
| 2026 | 2027 | |
| Spring Walking Week | 28 April – 5 May | 18 – 25 May |
| Autumn Walking Week | 20-27 October | 19-26 October |
WEEKLY RATES AND WHAT’S INCLUDED
If you’re a committed regular walker you will love the entire programme, which costs an additional €395 on top of your holiday. For those who enjoy an occasional day in the hills and want to experience some of the natural beauty of Western Crete, walks can be booked and paid for individually on a ‘one-off’ basis when you arrive at the hotel, subject to space in the minibus. Read on further down the page for the full ‘menu’ of walks.
A note about fitness – walks are graded from easy to difficult and are not intended to be challenging, but the terrain can be uneven both walking uphill and going down. This requires a reasonable level of agility and the capacity to walk for the full distance in appropriate footwear. If in doubt then please ask.
There is no better way to experience Crete’s wonderful flora, fauna and stunning scenery than on foot, in the company of like-minded people. Walks, led by an experienced range from 2 to 5 hours. Some involve a degree of rocky terrain so proper footwear is essential. Rest stops are scheduled as needed. En route 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. The views are spectacular and you will also see native buzzards, vultures and migrating birds.
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!’ You’ll also ned to ‘use your nose’ as you smell the aromatic wild herbs and plants of the White Mountains such as thyme, oregano, chamomile, Cretan dittany, and marjoram.
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 all its raiment of natural glory, you need to come at least twice – once early, once late.
Most days we do the heavy climbing in the minibus, usually driving up into the hills and dropping you off to walk down to a taverna for lunch. Occasionally due to weather or other conditions in the mountains we may need to change the program and swap days around. The following schedule would be a typical week, leaving the hotel after an earlyish breakfast around 9am for a walk that finishes at a traditional taverna for lunch. Then back to the hotel at about 4pm.
Depending on weather, we’ll choose one of the following walks:
Nopigia – Ravdoucha (Moderate – 3 hours)
A stunning coastal walk along the Rotherpou Peninsular starting from the ancient village of Nopigia and ascending to overlook Kissamos Bay. This circular walk finishes in the traditional village of Ravdoucha for lunch.
Deliana Gorge (Easy – 2 hours)
Deliana gorge provides another very scenic walk and is not too strenuous. We 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.
Price €60 includes lunch
Sirikari Gorge marks the beginning of a picturesque journey towards the ancient town of Polyrrinia. This moderate-level trek is highly recommended by local residents and offers a delightful experience amidst towering chestnut trees, soothing waterfalls, and babbling streams. The rich vegetation in and around the gorge is abundant with various herbs and trees, creating a vibrant ecosystem. Polirinia village is an archeological site with an ancient city dating 300 BC with houses carved in the rock.
Price €60 includes lunch
A stunning walk of about 6km from Karanou through plane trees and oaks, their trunks covered with ivies and rich ferns, alongside a stream that helps create some of the greenest scenery in Western Crete. It’s an almost unknown gorge that will remind you of a fairyland with its dense vegetation and small waterfalls. We finish with a stroll through the Botanical Park where we take lunch on the terrace from which there are spectacular views.
Price €65 includes entrace tickets and lunch
The Samaria Gorge is a real ‘trophy walk’. The longest gorge in Europe (total length 17km), the walk starts at the head of this wonderful ancient erosional feature at an altitude of 1,200m and continues down to the village and waterfront of Agia Roumeli, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding slopes, and a number of smaller gorges branching off from it, the Samaria Gorge forms the whole of the area designated as a national park, a status that offers protection to over 450 species of plant and animal, 70 of which are native to Crete.
NB: Due to the length of time and the uneven terrain you need to be fit to undertake this walk.
Price €75 includes entrance tickets and lunch
A leisurely guided walk of about one hour through the Venetian Old Harbour with its cobbled narrow streets and architecture mixed from the times of Venetian, then Turkish, occupation. Many opportunities for photographs and to admire the scenic atmosphere of this bustling part of Chania. and the chance to shop for souvenirs or enjoy a drink watching the sunset before we sit down for dinner at one of the best waterfront tavernas in town.
Price €65 includes dinner
MONDAY – SOUTH COAST TO LOUTRO (Moderate – 2.5 hours)A coastal walk from the historic village of Hora Sfakia along a rugged cliff path to the magical village of Loutro which is only accessible by boat. We will pass through the un-spoilt beach and clear turquoise waters of Sweetwater Bay and continue to Loutro to enjoy lunch at a waterside taverna. Our private boat will then complete our journey back to Sfakia. Some scrambling is required and a head for heights! Don’t forget you swimming wear for a dip in the Libyan Sea.
Price €120 includes taxi boat and lunch
Great hotel – my room was beautiful and well fitted out
Great food – we all ate breakfast and dinner in the hotel and the food was delicious and plentiful
Great people – friendly, helpful and efficient staff
I was on a walking week- while some of the walks had quite challenging terrain they were well organised and included excellent lunches
I’d certainly recommend to my friends!
My friend had visited The Mistral Hotel several years ago and highly recommended this hotel to me. Guests were met at the airport and checked in very quickly. my double rooms was immaculately clean, both comfortable and spacious. It was good to have a kettle and tea/coffee/milk provisions could be topped up as and when required.
Staff were all extremely helpful, kind and considerate. Anja answered any questions and offered advice.
The holiday included four days of walking with all walks classed as ‘moderate’. Some folks found them rather tricky, others didn’t.
Food and wine were plentiful and all enjoyab
My friend had visited The Mistral Hotel several years ago and highly recommended this hotel to me. Guests were met at the airport and checked in very quickly. my double rooms was immaculately clean, both comfortable and spacious. It was good to have a kettle and tea/coffee/milk provisions could be topped up as and when required.
Staff were all extremely helpful, kind and considerate. Anja answered any questions and offered advice.
The holiday included four days of walking with all walks classed as ‘moderate’. Some folks found them rather tricky, others didn’t.
Food and wine were plentiful and all enjoyable (except the snails!) both at the hotel and at the different lunchtime venues.
Have just returned from my umpteenth stay at the Mistral. As always everything was wonderful, family and staff make you feel welcome, and food and wine are excellent. You can join in the many activities on offer, visit local towns for a bit of retail therapy or just chill by one of the pools, the choice is yours. Make new friends or catch up with old ones, this is the place to do it. I booked especially for the walking week, and it was brilliant. Seasoned walkers and keen amateurs, like myself, gelled very quickly and enjoyed each walk with enthusiasm and laughter, with a wonderful lunch at the end, unforgettable.
The spectacular walks took us through deep mountain gorges and passes. The energy of these places simply has to be experienced, with all your senses. The mountains were only matched by the stunning coastal walk, where we were guided to a traditional fishing village, only accessible by boat or on foot!
Then there was the unexpected element; the food! At each location, we were treated to authentic Cretan cuisine. At every location, the food was different and glorious. Fruits from around the world were a special treat at the Botanic Garden Restaurant. Each lunch was a feast; the tables bursting with amazing, and seemingly endless supply
The spectacular walks took us through deep mountain gorges and passes. The energy of these places simply has to be experienced, with all your senses. The mountains were only matched by the stunning coastal walk, where we were guided to a traditional fishing village, only accessible by boat or on foot!
Then there was the unexpected element; the food! At each location, we were treated to authentic Cretan cuisine. At every location, the food was different and glorious. Fruits from around the world were a special treat at the Botanic Garden Restaurant. Each lunch was a feast; the tables bursting with amazing, and seemingly endless supply, of fresh local food.
A member of the Hotel family – they are not staff- accompanied us at every step. They were there at every stunning turn in the path. They were there when we encountered the local animals; the goat standing on a high branch of a tree was a particular entertaining spectacle.
And here is something completely unexpected. When I paid the extra for the walking week, I had no idea that the culinary experiences were included in the price! Seriously! Banquets of fresh gorgeous food, local generosity, delightful long lunches, surrounded by great company and beauty, all included!
Go on the Walking Week only if you wish to experience amazing scenery, kindness and genuine Cretan generosity.
A very enjoyable walking holiday, interspersed with relaxation. The scenery was stunning and our walking group was fun and convivial. This was my second time staying at the Mistral and standards remain high. Great rooms, excellent food and fantastic staff. You can’t help but feel welcomed!
The Walking week in October at Mistral Hotel was delightful in all senses of the word. Welcoming staff, comfortable hotel and room, perfect walking weather at 25C to 28C all week (apart from a shower one evening), varied, breathtaking scenic walks on 4 of the 7 days. And then there is the food….! Wonderful Cretan food and wine: consumed at lunchtime at a local taverna after each of the walks, and then (home-grown and home-made) with a friendly group of ‘guest walkers’ gathered for convivial dinners in the hotel each evening. Now I have discovered Mistral, I will be returning, either for another walking week, or one of the other t
The Walking week in October at Mistral Hotel was delightful in all senses of the word. Welcoming staff, comfortable hotel and room, perfect walking weather at 25C to 28C all week (apart from a shower one evening), varied, breathtaking scenic walks on 4 of the 7 days. And then there is the food….! Wonderful Cretan food and wine: consumed at lunchtime at a local taverna after each of the walks, and then (home-grown and home-made) with a friendly group of ‘guest walkers’ gathered for convivial dinners in the hotel each evening. Now I have discovered Mistral, I will be returning, either for another walking week, or one of the other themed weeks that are on offer.
This was my 2nd Walking Week at the Mistral. October is a good time to walk weather wise. Beautiful walks and sights followed by delicious long lunches with locally made produce and wines. Plenty of time to relax by the pool if that’s your wish. All the staff are very friendly and just wanting you to have an enjoyable holiday. Thankyou again Mistral!
