Where to Walk: the 15 Best Crete Hiking Tours

1.From Chania/Rethymno: Samariá Gorge Guided Hike with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,010 reviews · 1 day · from $37Our pick

Start early from Chania or Rethymno, ride to Omalos, then walk about 16 kilometers through Samaria Gorge on rocky, steep terrain. Your English-speaking guide handles the timing and transport while you hike at your own pace. Finish with a swim at Agia Roumeli and a ferry ride to meet the bus.

“Couldn’t have been better - great communication about pick ups/drop offs, excellent bus drivers on those windy roads and guide Dimitros was fantastic - I told him I was quite slow and arthritic and he checked on me regularly during the walk as well as providing lots of info. As for the walk - amazing! Did it 40 years ago and so glad to come back. The scenery and those amazing cliffs and rocks. Quite a hard walk for an oldie but we’ll worth the aches afterwards! Thank you Dimitros 👏”

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2.From Rethymno/Chania: Imbros Gorge Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 353 reviews · 8 hours · from $30Cheapest way up

Walk 8 to 9 km downhill through Imbros Gorge with an English-speaking guide, then spend free time in Chora Sfakion. Guides such as Carolina, Lazarus, Leonida, and Spinoli have been praised for clear advice and warm service. Hotel pickup, transport, and drop-off are included. Bring water, sturdy shoes, sun protection, and €5 for entry.

“We all enjoyed this trip. The hike through the gorge was great, impressive scenery and good amount of walking, but not too strenuous. Unfortunately it was a little overcast and too cold to swim in the sea in the afternoon, instead we enjoyed lunch and went for a walk around the coast.”

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3.Crete: Samaria Gorge Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 201 reviews · 17 hours · from $56

Spend about 17 hours hiking Samaria Gorge from Xiloskalo to Agia Roumeli, following the old Taras River route through Crete’s White Mountains. A multilingual guide, coach transport, ferry ride, and hotel-area pickup are included. Bring sturdy shoes, water, sun protection, and cash for the €10 park entry and €14 adult boat ticket.

“need to have a good fitness level. overall a fab day. really enjoyed it. def a worthwhile visit”

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4.Crete: Samaria Gorge Hiking with transfer and expert Escort

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 125 reviews · 12 - 16 hours · from $47

You’ll descend the 18-kilometer Samaria Gorge with an English or German-speaking, first-aid-trained guide, then rest in Agia Roumeli, swim in the Libyan Sea, and take a one-hour boat ride to Hora Sfakion. Guides such as Nikos, Claudia, Marcos, and Ingrid have led this outing, which suits fit hikers who want transport and support.

“Fantastic trip. Well organised. The gorge is an amazing hike, it is incredible tough going down hill over rocks for approx 7km so make sure you have hiking boots and also recommend walking poles. We finished the walk around 2pm which meant we had some time to swim in the sea at the end which was amazing after the 16km! A must do activity for anyone visiting Crete.”

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5.Kourtaliotiko Gorge: Guided River Adventure Trek with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 106 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $112

You’ll meet guides such as Panos or Alkis at The Banana Garden, then transfer to the gorge entrance for a 4.5-hour river trek. Expect a cold swim to a waterfall, natural pools, wildlife, plane trees, an olive grove, and a light Greek meal with beer at the end.

“this was an amazing experience . our guide was knowledgeable about the area and the Gorge. we explored other parts of the Gorge not so commercialized. it was serene and absolutely amazing. our guide was knowledgeable, friendly very professional. was overall amazing time and I would recommend it to anyone”

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6.From Georgioupoli: Easy Hiking Day-Trip to Imbros Gorge

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 100 reviews · 8 hours · from $34

Travel by bus from Georgioupoli through the Askifou Mountains to Imbros Gorge, walk for about two hours, then swim and eat beside Frangokastello. English and German guides lead the day, with Alexandra praised for her humor and clear commentary. Bring proper walking shoes: the route is scenic but not quite as easy as advertised.

“Imposante Schlucht, allerdings ist leicht für die Wanderung etwas untertrieben. Schönes Meer in Frangokastello. Tolle Guides und Busfahrer.”

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7.Samariá Gorge Hike: Day Excursion from Chania

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 49 reviews · 11 hours · from $47

You’ll travel by air-conditioned coach from Chania to Samariá Gorge for an 18-kilometer hike over rough, rocky ground. Guides such as Pari, Nikos, and Ingrid have led this outing. After reaching Agia Roumeli, you’ll eat, swim, and return by boat to Sougia before the coach ride back.

“Pick-up, transport, and return transport all went very smoothly. The tour guide, Pari, was knowledgeable and very friendly. We arrived at the sea after about four hours, at around 12:15 p.m. The meeting point for the whole group was at 4:00 p.m. at Rousios to get the ferry tickets. So we had something to eat and then went swimming in the sea. After this meeting at 4:00 p.m., everyone was informed that they had the next 1.5 hours free until the ferry departed. So we had to wait again. Then there was the return trip to the starting point by bus. We just want to say that if you are…”

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8.River Trekking at Kourtaliotiko Gorge Waterfalls to Preveli Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $156Best guided

Join George or another Your Guide Crete leader for a private five-hour adventure through Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Swim beneath a waterfall, walk in the Megalopotamos River, then follow a mountain path to Preveli’s palm-fringed beach. The route suits active visitors with good balance, sturdy water shoes, and comfort in cold water.

“The highlight of our trip to Greece! George was a great guide. Our ferry to Crete was postponed two days due to windy weather, and we were afraid that we would have to forfeit our prepaid booking. But George graciously rescheduled us for another day at our convenience. Also, I am in my 60's and go slow, while my young sons hike fast. George tailor made the trip for us, guiding me slowly through an easy path, while directing my sons to a more challenging route. George also was very knowledgeable regarding local history and myths, geology, and fauna. The waterfall was stunning, and the trip down the river breathtaking,…”

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9.Samaria Gorge Hike from Heraklion region

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $69

Leave Heraklion before sunrise for an 18-kilometer walk through Samaria Gorge. A certified guide, air-conditioned bus, Agia Roumeli beach time, and a boat to Hora Sfakion are included. Guides such as Theodora and Marcos have led past departures. Bring water, food, cash, and strong legs.

“Fantastic experience. The timings for the trip were wrong so around 18hours including travel. A great experience nevertheless. Challenging- not a casual stroll!”

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10.Samaria Gorge Hiking Tour from Chania with Professional Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $36

You’ll hike the 16 to 18 km Samaria Gorge trail from Omalos to Agia Roumeli with an English-speaking escort, then swim in the Libyan Sea before taking the ferry to Sougia. Guides may include Pari, Dafni, or Maria, and the tour includes hotel pickup from selected areas, bus transport, and the ferry connection back to Chania.

“Unforgettable views! Must do everytime I am in Crete. Make sure to bring suncream and walking shoes.”

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11.Samariá Gorge Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 15 reviews · 1 day · from $32

Join an English-speaking guide from Chania for a demanding 16-kilometer walk through Samariá Gorge. You’ll pass springs, forests, Kri-Kri habitat, and the Iron Gates before swimming at Agia Roumeli and taking a ferry to Sougia. Guides such as Ingrid and Nikos have been praised for clear explanations and attentive organization.

“Prima bus, goede uitleg, veiligheid staat voorop. Alles heel goed geregeld.”

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12.PRIVATE Hiking Walking GORGE nearby Hersonissos CRETE

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $131

Leave the resorts near Hersonissos for a private hike through the Aposelemis area. Your local guide, Louise, leads you along a rocky riverbed, pointing out Cretan plants, olive-growing traditions, goats, and vultures. Hotel pickup, transport, insurance, and local taxes are included for a four-hour outing.

“You definitely get away from civilization, which was really nice. The hike follows a riverbed and there is a lot of climbing over and around huge rocks. Balance is a must. Our guide, Louise, was awesome. She provided a running commentary about Cretan culture. We learned about growing and harvesting olives. She pointed out various plants and described their uses. We saw goats and vultures. The hike took about 3 hours. We would highly recommend this adventure!”

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13.Crete: Kavousi Canyon Guided Hike & Beach Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 7 hours · from $93

Spend seven hours with guide Giorgos exploring Minoan paths, Kavousi Canyon, the Azorias ruins, and an ancient olive tree. After a three-hour hike, cool off at sandy Tholos Beach. Pickup and return are available from Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Agios Nikolaos, and Ierapetra.

“Alles was perfect in orde, niets op aan te merken!”

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14.Hiking at Samaria, the longest Gorge in Europe! From Chania

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 11 reviews · from $57

You’ll cross Samaria Gorge from the Omalos Plateau to Agia Roumeli on a guided, 16-kilometer hike lasting about 6 to 7 hours. Nikos has been praised for clear bus-ride information and useful walking sticks. Pickup, air-conditioned transport, and return travel are included, but park entry and the boat ticket cost extra.

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15.Wild swimming and Hiking in West Crete

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $78

Meet Fit in Crete in Kissamos for a half-day of wild swimming and hiking along West Crete’s coast and countryside. You may swim about 1.5 kilometers, often with a kayak nearby, then hike 5 to 7 kilometers through olive groves, gorges, and rocky coastal paths. Guides such as Manu, Fiona, and Miltos are known for calm, adaptable instruction.

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