WALKS IN CHANIA PREFECTURE

 

Without doubt the Samaria gorge is a tour that you should make. But keep in mind that it is not the easiest walk from Crete. One should be fit and a trained walker and in the middle of the summer it can be very hot in the Gorge where temperatures of more than 40 celsius are no exception.There are more relaxed walks with almost the same impressions of what a gorge on Crete looks like.

                                                                    

The Imbros Gorge on the eastern side is only 8 Km. long and it is the best alternative for people that are looking for a shorter distance than 18 Km. Going down from about 625 M. in a slow pace you'll need 3-4 hours to see the beauties and the  4 small mountain gates of this gorge. Some gates are so small that you can touch with your hands both walls.
There are Travel agencies in your holiday resort offering this walk as an organized day excursion.

The Aradena Gorge is the neighbor from the famous Samaria. This gorge is for people that prefer a peaceful walk instead of being with a 1000 other walking fans. Generally the gorge is quite relaxed and not difficult for trained walkers. There is one part however where you must descend from Metal ladders to come in the next level of the gorge. If you are afraid for hights than this might give you some nervous moments. But fears are there to overcome them.....true?

In the summer the bridge over the gorge that you find at the beginning is used for a spectacular activity called bungee jumping and its the highest bridge in Europe from where you fall down on your elastic string. ACTIVE HOLIDAYS

 

On the west of the Samaria is the Agia Irini gorge. An easy but very beautiful gorge ending near the bathing resort of Sougia. The walk is about 8 Km and can also be done with small Children.

                                                           

In the north-east of the Chania prefecture in the area of the Apokoronas there are good walking possibilities for all kinds of walking fans, trained or not. Easy going on the foothpaths you'll pass from old Venetian villages and the area is famous for one of the few pine tree forest areas on Crete.

Around Miriokefala, in the direction of the Imbros Gorge there is some nice flat walking routes on the plateau of Kalikratis. Its amazing to see that on this level about 800M above the sea, people work and live. There are vineyards and in the autumn the locals distell their famous Tsikoudia = raki our local schnaps. Maybe you will have a lunch here in a small home tavern and during the summer months if you are lucky, there's wild rabbit or goat meat on the menu.

Near Kissamos on the peninsula of Rodopos it is good to walk  if you are seeking for peace and a beautiful flower world.