A self-guided walk through Crete’s wild west, from the farmland of Apokoronas and the White Mountains to the gorges and boat-access-only villages of the south coast.
8 Days / 7 Nights
Moderate
Western Crete, Greece
April to October
Around 86 km
€699
This route runs from the fertile farmland of Apokoronas, across the White Mountains, to the gorges and secluded beaches of Crete’s south coast. It starts in Vamos, a traditional village east of Chania, where a restored old house serves as your base, with views of the White Mountains and the chance to share a raki with locals in the village kafeneion.
On the south coast, the route takes in two of the island’s most impressive gorges, the Aradena Gorge and the Samaria Gorge, along with quiet coastal trails past deserted beaches. Three different coastal villages provide the overnight stops, including Loutro and Agia Roumeli, both reachable only by boat or on foot.
Accommodation:
Seven nights, bed and breakfast, in rooms with private facilities and almost always a balcony or terrace. Standard accommodation:
If a hotel is unavailable, a similar alternative is arranged.
Meals:
Breakfast included throughout. Items for lunch are available from local shops, and there’s a good choice of tavernas most evenings, though Omalos has fewer options, with the hotel’s own restaurant serving good local dishes.
Availability:
Starts any day of the week, April to October. The Samaria Gorge can close after heavy rain in early spring or late October, and doesn’t open at all in April. For April departures, the route uses a ferry crossing from Agia Roumeli to Sougia on day 6, followed by an alternative walk through the Irini Gorge on day 7.
Difficulty:
Graded moderate overall, with some more demanding stages, 4 to 6 hours a day excluding breaks, on hilly to mountainous terrain. Paths are mostly unsurfaced tracks, footpaths and mountain trails, well-kept but occasionally stony.
Settle into Valldemossa, set on a gentle rise among olive, oak and almond trees. The old Carthusian monastery, once a haunt of Chopin and George Sand, draws most visitors, but the cobbled, tree-lined alleys reward slower wandering, with fine views over the surrounding valley. Valldemossa is easily reached by public bus from Palma de Mallorca.
Overnight: Valldemossa
Distance: 15 km, Ascent: 700 m, Descent: 700 m, Walking time: around 6 hrs
A popular circular route on the Archduke's Trail, or Camí de s'Arxiduc, a dry-stone path built in the late 19th century along the mountain ridge between Deia and Valldemossa, with sweeping views over the northwest coastline.
Overnight: Valldemossa
Distance: 14 km, Ascent: 280 m, Descent: 440 m, Walking time: around 5.5 hrs
A short transfer to the artists' colony of Deia starts a relatively easy walk along a cobbled path through olive groves, following the coastline through quiet Mediterranean woods of pine, oak and madrone, and across a private estate where the owners serve fresh orange juice to passing walkers.
Overnight: Port Sóller
Distance: 15 km, Ascent: 650 m, Descent: 610 m, Walking time: around 6 hrs
A taxi transfer to Cala Tuent, a quiet summer village with a lovely beach, starts a 6-hour walk along the coastline to Port Sóller, passing the remote farm at Balitx d'Avall, set among orange groves and olive orchards in one of Mallorca's most secluded valleys.
Overnight: Port Sóller
Distance: 7.5 km, Ascent: 270 m, Descent: 270 m, Walking time: around 3 hrs
A steep climb from the port reaches the cliffs forming a natural breakwater over the bay, with views from Torre Picada along the rocky coastline to the small island of S'Illeta. A steep descent along a ravine leads to Sa Punta Llarga, a promontory with views back over the sea.
Overnight: Port Sóller
The holiday ends after breakfast. The vintage railway to Palma de Mallorca makes a good final outing, with time to explore the city's old streets, palace courtyards and gothic cathedral before departing.
From
€1,050
per person
Based on a shared room, 8-day upgrade is available
