Chania Hiking

Hiking Trails in Chania

The prefecture of Chania in Crete has a vast array of trails and interesting scenery, ranking high amongst the most preferred hiking spots in the country! One of the finest hiking and trekking destinations in all of Greece, as well as an integral part of Europe's E4 trail paths, Chania offers lots of connecting roads and foot-only trails, mostly due to its long history and mesmerizing natural sights, including gorges, mountainsides, forests, and fantastic remote beaches! Marked pathways help with orientation, while some pathways with no markings are a nice challenge for experienced hikers.

Below are the mapped-signposted trails that one can follow on the island, as well as some of the unmapped ones.
We highly recommend that all hikers carry enough water, take the necessary sun protection measures, and wear shoes suitable for hiking. For the longer trails, it is best to bring food and basic first aid supplies.

Newer/Complimentary E4 marked routes

• Trail 1: Zourva - Tromarissa

The trail connecting Zourva Village to the astonishing Tromarissas Gorge (then returning back to Zourva) is an uphill trip reaching approximately 680 meters above the starting point.
Length: 14.5 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

• Trail 2: Sirikari - Polirrinia

This exciting trail connecting Sirikari Gorge and Polirrinia is a downhill experience traveling right through the mesmerizing gorges of Crete.
Length: 10.7 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

• Trail 3: Sougia - Koustogerako - Cave of Polyphemus

Traveling through the small rural village of Koustogerako and the mythic Cave of Polyphemus to end up at the beach of Sougia, this trail is a slow descent from 506 meters high to right about sea level.
Length: over 13 kilometers
Duration: 4 hours

• Trail 4: Tavri Shelter - Sfakia Gorge - Chora Sfakion

An exciting and long lengthy trail path, you will start from the shelter of Tavri and cross through the gorge of Sfakia before ending up at the homonym seaside village.
Length: 25.3 kilometers
Duration: 6 hours

• Trail 5: Anopolis - Loutro

A slow descent from Anopolis (situated at 652 meters above sea level) to the seaside Loutro is an easy hiking trail for everyone.
Length: 6.3 kilometers
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes

• Trail 6: Goni - Ampelos - Asfendos - Agios Nektarios

This is a big, 5-hour downhill hiking experience ranging from 112m to 1115m above sea level, connecting Goni (near Askifou) with the mountainous Asfendos and the small settlement of Agios Nektarios, east of Sfakia.
Length: 18.5 kilometers
Duration: 5 hours

• Trail 7: Kampoi - Volikas Shelter - Spathi Mountaintop

An uphill, challenging hike from Kampoi Village to Volikas and the mountaintop of Spathi (then back to Kampoi), this trail is a fine choice amongst experienced hikers.
Length: 12 kilometers
Duration: 5 hours and 30 minutes

• Trail 8: Volikas Shelter - Milé Cave

Trail number 8 presents an interesting zig-zag trip from the shelter of Volikas to the icy Milé Cave (then a return to Volikas).
Length: 7 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours

• Trail 9: Agios Ioannis - Agios Pavlos - Agia Roumeli

This downhill trekking experience starts from the top of Agios Ioannis, passes by the seaside Agios Pavlos, and ends at Agia Roumeli.
Length: over 7 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours

• Trail 10: Agios Ioannis - Kormokopou Cave

Take this uphill trail from Agios Ioannis to visit the fantastic circular cave of Kormokopou (then swiftly return to Agios Ioannis).
Length: over 5 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours

 

Official E4 routes

• Trail 11: Kissamos - Chrisoskalitissa

An easy-to-follow trail from Kissamos Village to the monastery of Chrissoskalitissa with gentle slopes and some rural roads.
Length: 56 kilometers
Duration: 12 - 13 hours

• Trail 12: Chrisoskalitissa - Sougia

Quite a relaxing trail path for everyone, with lots of rural roads and an easy route.
Length: 36 kilometers
Duration: 14 hours

• Trail 13: Agia Roumeli - Frangokastello

A mid-difficulty pathway, this trail begins from the beachfront Agia Roumeli Village and reaches the seaside village of Frangokastello.
Length: 33 kilometers
Duration: 8 hours and 30 minutes

• Trail 14: Askifou - Imbros - Frangokastello

This majestic trip from the beautiful plateau of Askifou towards Frangokastello through Imbros Gorge has little to no difficulties.
Length: 19 kilometers
Duration: 6 hours and 30 minutes

• Trail 15: Frangokastello - Kallikratis - Asi Gonia

Pass by the mountainous Kallikratis Village and finish your hike at the small settlement of Asi Gonia.
Length: 18 kilometers
Duration: 6 hours and 15 minutes

From Sougia:

• Trail 16: Sougia - Agia Roumeli

A really hard trekking experience from the beachside Sougia Village to the remote Agia Roumeli. It is highly recommended that all hikers are equipped with sufficient water.
Length: 20 kilometers
Duration: 14 hours

• Trail 17: Sougia - Agia Irini Gorge

While being middle-of-the-road in terms of difficulty, the part from Koustogerako to Omalos can be a bit of a challenge.
Length: 20 kilometers
Duration: 8 hours

• Trail 18: Sougia - Koustogerako - Omalos

Witness beautiful mountainous settlements and enjoy a high-effort hike from Sougia Village to Omalos.
Length: 20 kilometers
Duration: 9 hours

From Omalos:

• Trail 19: Omalos - Agia Roumeli - Samaria Gorge

This is a refreshing hike for everyone, starting from Omalos and ending up at the secluded Agia Roumeli.
Length: 23 kilometers
Duration: 7 hours

• Trail 20: Omalos - Askifou

Filled with steep sides, acute angles, and rough slopes, Omalos to Askifou is recommended only for experienced hikers. Given its difficulty, this trail requires more water and refreshments than usual.
Length: 35 kilometers
Duration: 12 hours

 

Other famous routes

• Old Town of Chania - Jewish Quarter of Chania looping trail
Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes | Length: 6.8 kilometers, no more than 40 meters uphill

• Pathway to Balos Beach from Kaliviani
Duration: 45 minutes | Length: 2.9 kilometers, 115 meters uphill

• Pathway from Tsourouniana to Milia and the top of the Kastellos Village
Duration: 2 hours and 20 minutes | Length: 7.1 kilometers, 330 meters uphill

• From Agia Roumeli towards Samaria Gorge, Samaria Village, and Sideroportes (in the White Mountains), then back
Duration: 6 hours and 40 minutes | Length: 21.7 kilometers, 725 meters uphill

• Starting from Livadas Village, visit the Kandouni Plateau and enjoy a view of Lissos Beach, then return
Duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes | Length: 6.5 kilometers, 305 meters uphill

• From the bus station of Komitades, visit Imbros Gorge and admire its canyon, then return to Chora Sfakion
Duration: 3 hours and 40 minutes | Length: 10.9 kilometers, 580 meters uphill

• Loutro – Sweet Water Beach (and back)
Duration: 4 hours and 20 minutes | Length: 13.2 kilometers, 250 meters uphill

• A circular loop from Aradena around Aradena Gorge
Duration: 6 hours and 10 minutes | Length: 15.8 kilometers, 815 meters uphill

in the White Mountains:

• Go around Agia Irini Gorge and enjoy the magnificent views, starting from Epanochori
Duration: 4h15m | Length: 13.5 kilometers, 490 meters uphill

• Go around Agia Irini Gorge and enjoy the magnificent views, starting from Moni
Duration: 3h35m | Length: 11.4 kilometers, 460 meters uphill

• Starting from Koustogerako, go around a gorgeous fountain and Sideroportes (in the White Mountains)
Duration: 7h30m | Length: 21.9 kilometers, 1150 meters uphill

 

Various unmapped/unmarked routes

• Hike to Katholiko Gorge / Monastery of Gouverneto
• Hike to Seitan Limania Beach (near eastern Akrotiri)
• Hike to Agia Irini Gorge (road from Chania to Sougia)
• Hike to the Ancient City of Lissos (starting from Sougia Harbor)
• Hike to Glyka Nera Beach (in southern Crete)
• Hike to Kampos Gorge (in west Chania, near Elafonisi)
• Hike to Viena Beach (in western Paleochora)
• Hike to Patsos Gorge (in Patsos Village)
• Balos Lagoon

On the White Mountains:

• From Meskla Village to Zourva Village
• From Omalos Plateau to Kalergi Mountain Shelter
• Hike to Gigilos Summit
• Hike to Pachnes Summit
• Hike to Imbros Gorge