Crete, the largest and most populous island in Greece, is a rugged isle with limestone mountains rising up to 2,456 meters.
This Mediterranean island is home to over 400 gorges, many of which offer thrilling hikes along their rugged stony beds. Samaria is the most famous of these gorge hikes, but it’s only open between May and October. We particularly loved the Aradena gorge hike, located near Chora Sfakion, and the Katholiko gorge hike, located near Chania.
In addition to gorge trails, Crete boasts adventurous coastal hikes, hidden beach hikes, and summit hikes.
Like anywhere in the Mediterranean, the best time to hike in Crete is spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild. We visited Crete in March, firmly off-season. Although the weather was perfect for hiking, trails were completely deserted, as locals rarely hike. As someone who is easily spooked, I found it eerie at times.
We highly recommend hiking in Crete, when you crave rugged and stark scenery, delicious Cretan cuisine, and a winter sun getaway.
- Hiking Gear: Hiking boots, water, and sun protection
- Hiking Season: October – May.
- Entrance Fees: Some locations like Imbros Gorge and Katholiko Monastery charge a small entrance fee during the peak holiday season.
- Safety: Avoid hiking in gorges during high winds, as there is a risk of rockfall, or after heavy rainfall, as there is a risk of flash flooding. Due to erosion, it’s not uncommon to come across broken trails.
- Getting around: Some hikes are possible without a car, using a combination of buses, taxis, and ferries. However, we recommend renting a car if you visit during low season.
- Recommended Itinerary: Crete Road Trip Itinerary
- Guardian Dogs / Working Dogs: There are guardian dogs and sheep dogs in Crete. We didn’t encounter any aggressive dogs on the trails. However, we did see many chained dogs on the side of the roads.
1. Katholiko Gorge
Katholiko Gorge is located in Akrotiri Peninsula near Chania. To access this dazzling gorge, hikes must first follow the pilgrimage path connecting Gouverneto Monastery with Arkoudospilio Cave, the Cave of St. John the Hermit, and Katholiko Monastery.
From the ruins of Katholiko Monastery, a narrow path descends to the bed of Katholiko Gorge. An unbelievably scenic trail winds along the rocky gorge bed between towering limestone walls to reach Katholiko Bay, a slender turquoise inlet.
Despite numerous videos promoting Katholiko Bay as a swimming spot, there is no actual beach here, and swimming is strictly prohibited. A sign at the trailhead clearly states that Katholiko Bay lies within private monastery grounds, intended for pilgrims, worshippers, and respectful walkers, not for swimmers or sunbathers.
Trailhead | Gouverneto Monastery car park: Google Maps
Distance | 4.3 km out-and-back
Time Needed | 2:10 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss | 342 meters
Difficulty | Easy – Moderate
Entrance Fee | Yes, though only seasonally
Where to Stay in Chania | Theta Seaside Boutique Hote (budget-midrange), Malmo Historic Hotel (midrange), or AZADE Chania (luxury). Learn more: Where to Stay in Chania
Learn More: Katholiko Gorge Hike
2. Aradena Gorge
In the wild heart of Sfakia in West Crete, Aradena Gorge carves a dramatic path from the sun-bleached slopes of the White Mountains down to the shimmering shores of the Libyan Sea.
Aradena Gorge descends toward Marmara Beach in a series of stages, abruptly alternating between level stretches and plunging, rugged drops.
Much of the trail’s thrill lies in scrambling between boulders and navigating steep, ever-shifting scree fields. Waymarks guide hikers through the more difficult passages.
There are numerous ways to hike Aradena Gorge, with options for circular, point-to-point, and out-and-back routes.
To start the hike, we took a taxi from the seaside village of Chora Sfakion (aka Hora Sfakion and Sfakia) to Aradena Village. After hiking through the gorge to Marmara Beach (3 hours), we followed the coastal trail all the way back to Chora Sfakion (4+ hours).
Most hikers will end the hike at Marmara Beach and return to Chora Sfakion with a water taxi.
Starting Point | Aradena Village: Google Maps
Ending Point | Marmara Beach
Distance | 5.6 point-to-point
Time Needed | 3 hours
Elevation Gain | 100 meters
Elevation Loss | 660 meters
Difficulty | Difficult
Where to Stay in Chora Sfakion | Sofia’s Lovely Rooms (budget), Authentic Village Boutique Hotel (midrange), Panorama New Generation (midrange-luxury)
Learn More: Aradena Gorge Hike
3. Loutro – Sweet Water Beach – Sfakia Coastal Trail
Hikers in search of a challenge will find it in spades along the Loutro-Sfakia coastal trail in the southwest coast of Crete.
Loutro is a picturesque white-washed seaside village, located between Agia Roumeli and Chora Sfakion, only reachable by foot or by boat. Those based in Chora Sfakion can either hike to Loutro and return by ferry or water taxi, or reverse it.
Following the E4 European long distance path, the trail climbs out of the village and leads east along the coast. The smooth trail is abruptly interrupted by a landslide on its way to Perivolakia Beach and Timios Stavros Beach.
The highlight of the hike is Sweet Water Beach (Paralia Glyka Nera), an impressive pebble beach, backed by soaring cream-colored cliffs.
Beyond Sweet Water Beach, the trail gets increasingly rugged, with lots of boulders and rocks to maneuver. Near the end, a dramatic ledge trail, secured with chains, wraps around the sea cliff. The final leg follows the paved road into Chora Sfakion.
Starting Point | Loutro
Ending Point | Chora Sfakion
Distance | 7.4 km point-to-point
Time Needed | 2:45 – 3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss | 200 meters
Difficulty | Difficult
Where to Stay in Loutro | Villa Niki (budget), Hotel Porto Loutro on the Hill (budget-midrange), or Daskalogiannis Hotel (budget-midrange)
Learn More: Loutro – Sfakia Trail Guide
4. Lissos Gorge Circuit Hike
Lissos Gorge is located in Sougia along the southwest coast of Crete. Though the gorge isn’t comparable to the grandeur of Aradena or Katholiko, it’s a fabulous hike because of the trail variety, the coastal views, and the many goats.
From Sougia, the trail leads west past the Sougia harbor to a pebble beach, inhabited by goats. The way to the gorge is clear, thanks to the many hiking signs. From the beach, the trail turns inland and the Lissos gorge commences.
Shortly after strolling beneath a gently curving, sun-baked cliff, the trail divides. The left trail leads to the ancient city of Lissos and Lissos beach, an optional detour, while the right trail circuits back to Sougia.
Following the right trail, the path ascends to a rocky, pine-studded plateau, land of many goats. Next, the trail develops into a high coastal path and returns to Sougia via the Church of St Irene (Agia Eirini Church).
We hiked this trail as a day trip from Chania. We only recommend staying in Sougia when visiting between Easter and October.
Trailhead | Sougia Village: Google Maps
Distance | 6.5 km circuit
Time Needed | 2:30 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss | 250 meters
Difficulty | Moderate
Where to Stay in Sougia | Idomeneas Apartments (budget), Irtakina (budget), Syia Hotel (budget-midrange), or Monastery Estate Retreat (3-star mountainside retreat)
Where to Stay in Chania | Theta Seaside Boutique Hote (budget-midrange), Malmo Historic Hotel (midrange), or AZADE Chania (luxury). Learn more: Where to Stay in Chania.
Learn More: Lissos Gorge Hike
5. Imbros Gorge
The Imbros Gorge hike starts in the hamlet of Imbros and ends in the hamlet of Komitades in southwest Crete, near Chora Sfakion. Hikers who park in Komitades, typically take a taxi to the starting point and hike downhill one-way. Those who park in Imbros, either hike out-and-back part way, or take a taxi from Komitades back to Imbros at the end of the hike.
We hiked out-and-back from Imbros to an area just beyond the Leonidas Bar, a shack that sells drinks (high season only).
The beginning of the hike is underwhelming. Be prepared to walk 1:15 hours to reach the most striking section of the gorge: a narrow, serpentine canyon with sheer sides.
Trailhead | We parked at the car park next to Kalinorisma Taverna (Google Maps) in Imbros. However, we don’t recommend parking there for two reasons: (1) the car park isn’t free when the taverna is open and (2) by parking here, you extend the hike unnecessarily. Heed our advice and park across the bus parking at Porofarago Restaurant (Google Maps – park here). If you look at the google maps images, you can better visualize where people park.
Entrance Fee | During the “summer season,” there is a small entrance fee. The ticket booth is located near the start of the hike.
Where to Stay in Chora Sfakion | Sofia’s Lovely Rooms (budget), Authentic Village Boutique Hotel (midrange), Panorama New Generation (midrange-luxury)
6. Kako Mouri Headland Hike in Plakias
The seaside town of Plakias is nestled in a bay between the Kako Mouri and Dragon headlands on Crete’s southwest coast.
Starting at the eastern end of Plakias Beach, an interesting trail wraps around the Kako Mouri headland, offering sweeping views of the bay.
At Plakias Bay Hotel, bear right on a rocky path. Soon, turn right and angle up the rugged slopes of the headland, following the blue waymarks.
With views of rolling mountains and the Libyan Sea, the trail contours around a cliff and then weaves between jagged metamorphic rock formations, unique both in color (dark gray) and texture (fractured, veined, and razor-sharp).
The trail continues to curve around Kako Mouri, following picture-perfect pathways, just begging to be photographed. When you reach the road, follow it down to Kalypso Cretan Village Resort.
Continue tracing the road, passing through the arch and by the resort tennis court, until you reach the Kalypso Beach car park, set beneath a cliffside stairwell.
After ascending the striking cliffside stairs, the coastal path levels out and passes a lone sheep station on the way to Damnoni Bay. When the beach tavernas are open, you may want to detour to Damnoni Beach for lunch.
Next, follow a paved road inland between resort properties. At the multi-way junction, head more or less straight. After 270 meters, turn left, then right, following the timber signs to Plakias Beach. Now on a country road, the trail crosses fields and olive groves, before reconnecting with the
This path merges with the ascending trail, thus completing the circuit trail around Kako Mouri. Hike down to Plakias Bay Hotel and consider extending the hike to the Plakias caves and tunnels.
Trailhead | Plakias Beach: Google Maps
Distance | 5.4 km circuit
Time Needed | 2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss | 141 meters
Difficulty | Easy – Moderate
Minimum Elevation | 1 meter
Maximum Elevation | 141 meters
Where to Stay in Plakias | AELIA (budget-midrange), KYMĀNI Boutique Hotel & Suites (midrange), or Belvedere Luxury Apartments & Spa (midrange)
7. Red Beach Trail
Red Beach, nestled along the south coast of Crete, is a secluded gem known for its striking red sand and towering cream-colored cliffs.
From the famous hippie village of Matala, where Joni Mitchel composed “Carey,” a narrow footpath rises south, cutting a direct path across the Ákra Mátala headland.
The way down to the beach is more difficult, since the trail is scattered with loose rock. Take extra care, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water.
Though the trail holds no scenic allure initially, don’t give up too soon; the sea cliffs are stunning.
There are a few tavernas at the beach, open seasonally.
Trailhead | Matala Car Park / Matala Beach: Google Maps
Distance | 2.5 km out-and-back
Time Needed | 1 hour minimum
Elevation Gain/Loss | 161 meters
Difficulty | Moderate (Moderately Difficult)
Minimum Elevation | 0 meters
Maximum Elevation | 89 meters
Where to Stay in Matala | Hotel Sunshine Matala (budget) or Matala Prime Villas (midrange)
Learn More: Red Beach Trail Guide
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