Chania (Chaniá) is the largest city of western Crete, a port of about 108,000 people with a Venetian harbour, an Ottoman-era Old Town and easy access to Samaria Gorge, Balos and Elafonisi.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Samaria Gorge
The classic 16 km descent from the Omalos plateau to the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli, through a national park gorge.
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2
Imbros Gorge
A shorter, easier gorge walk from Imbros village at 700 m down towards Komitades near Chora Sfakion.
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3
Agia Irini Gorge
A forested gorge in the Lefka Ori ending at the south-coast village of Sougia.
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4
Aradena Gorge
A 138 m-deep gorge crossed by the Aradena Bridge, leading down to Marmara beach.
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5
Gingilos Summit from Xyloskalo
A steep alpine climb from the Samaria Gorge entrance to the 2,080 m summit of Mount Gingilos.
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6
Loutro to Chora Sfakion Coastal Path
A coastal stretch of the E4 trail between the car-free village of Loutro and Chora Sfakion.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Chania.
- Best
- April to early June and September to October
- Summer
- Very hot in the gorges; Samaria and Agia Irini are busiest from June to September, so start at opening time
- Autumn
- Warm and quieter until the park season ends in October
- Winter
- Samaria and many gorges close; storms can flood stream beds and cause rockfalls
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Rockfall and flash floods in the gorges after rain; the Samaria Gorge closes at short notice, for example on 22 September 2026
Hazard: Heat on exposed trails and little shade; at least 2 litres of water per person is needed
Hazard: Wildfire risk in dry months
Hazard: Limited phone signal in gorges and the White Mountains
Hazard: Free-roaming goats and sheepdogs near mountain huts