The 15 Best Hiking Tours in Crete

1.Full-Day Samaria Gorge Trek Excursion & Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,191 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $41Our pick

Join Platanos Tours for a full-day Samaria Gorge trek from Chania. Guides such as Sara and Christina give clear safety advice while you walk 17 kilometers through forest, riverbeds, and narrow rock walls. Finish with free time in Agia Roumeli, then take the ferry to Sougia and a bus back.

“Everything was great. The transport was on time and Sara is a great guide taking care of everyone’s wellbeing. I do recommend the trip.”

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2.Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek, Pickup & Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,610 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $37

Join guides such as Pia, George, or Alexandra for a self-paced trek through Samaria Gorge. Expect a long, rocky downhill walk, fresh mountain water, wild goats, a swim at Agia Roumeli, and a ferry ride back to the coach. Good shoes and solid fitness are essential.

“The pick up was on-time and the drive was very smooth and safe. The guide was very informative and clear with his instructions and how the day would proceed.”

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3.From Chania/Rethymno: Samariá Gorge Guided Hike with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,010 reviews · 1 day · from $37

You’ll hike about 16 kilometers from Omalos through Samaria Gorge with an English-speaking guide such as Ingrid, Nikos, or Silvia nearby for help. Expect steep rocky sections, springs, the Iron Gates, a swim at Agia Roumeli, and a ferry ride before the bus returns you home.

“A fabulous experience ! The whole day was great and very well organised. The Hike down the gorge was very tough but rewarding”

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4.Samaria Gorge with Professional Hiking Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 720 reviews · 14 hours · from $37

Join an English-speaking guide such as Ingrid, Nikos, or Dimitris for a 16 km downhill walk through Samaria Gorge. You’ll travel by coach from Chania, refill water at springs, swim at Agia Roumeli, then return by boat and coach. It is beautiful, well organized, and physically demanding.

“Did this hike for the 2nd time now and it's still very amazing to see this beautiful gorge, its nature and the trail itself. We did it in 6 hours this time, with some minor stops and 2 more big breaks. If you want to do this, keep in mind that it's very steep at the beginning and slippery throughout most parts. Get some very good hiking shoes, sunscreen and bottles you can refill at the springs. If you're in doubt and have decent condition, I do recommend doing this one at least once in your life.”

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5.Samaria Gorge & Agia Roumeli Hiking Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 422 reviews · 15.5 - 17.5 hours · from $58

This full-day trip takes you from Heraklion or nearby resorts to Omalos, through Samaria Gorge, and down to Agia Roumeli. You hike largely at your own pace, then swim, eat, and catch a ferry to Sfakia. Guides such as Maritsa and Maria have led recent departures.

“A bit of warning for anyone who might be slightly less mobile. the first 6 km is basically rough, rocky steps going down. Be aware it could be quite tough if you are not used to hiking. The water stops are regular and there are some amazing sights to see. was a fantastic day out, but be prepared as it is not simply a walk in the park”

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6.Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 372 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $51

Travel from Chania to Omalos Plateau, hike Samaria Gorge with a professional escort, then cool off at Agia Roumeli before the ferry and bus return. Guides such as Ingrid, Nicos, and Sylvia help with timing and safety. Expect rocky footing, a long day, and extra cash for entrance and boat fees.

“What a tour! Woke up at 5 am and returned at 9 pm, but we knew what we signed up for. Lovely guide who made sure that everyone was satisfied and knew all the required information to get to the bus safely (and on time). Even though we were the first to get picked up and the last to be dropped off, Nico (tour guide) chatted with us to make sure that we were okay with the long bus ride and the definitely long day! A-maze-ing day with lots of great memories.”

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7.From Rethymno/Chania: Imbros Gorge Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 353 reviews · 8 hours · from $30Best value

Walk 8 to 9 km through Imbros Gorge with an English-speaking guide, passing narrow rock walls and historic landmarks before free time in Chora Sfakion. Hotel pickup, bus transport, and return are included. Bring sturdy shoes, water, sunscreen, and €5 cash for the gorge entrance.

“we had a great time! thank you to Rena who picked us up from the Agora to take us to the coach! Carolina was a great tour guide, who made sure everyone was looked after and addressed any questions they had. Niko was a considerate driver, who drove carefully, not like other coach drivers! we had a great time, everything was smooth with our trip. highly recommended, Αλίκη”

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8.Samaria Gorge Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 201 reviews · 17 hours · from $56

Start at Xiloskalo and hike about 15 kilometers through Samaria Gorge, past the abandoned village and Iron Gates. A multilingual guide, coach transport, a ferry to Sfakia, and free time for swimming at Agia Roumeli are included. Bring sturdy shoes, water, sun protection, and cash for the park and boat fees.

“Well organised trip and had a brilliant day. It was a long day being picked up at 6am and not getting back to hotel until 10pm but thoroughly enjoyed it. The Gorge is awesome and the walk was challenging in the heat but well worth the effort. The swim in the sea at the end was heavenly as was the cold beer after! Getting the boat back for part of the way was fab and also the stop for souvlaki being cooked outside for us.”

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9.From Chania/Kalyves: Full-Day Samaria Gorge Hiking Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 162 reviews · from $32

Spend a full day walking Crete’s Samaria Gorge from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli. Guides such as Pari and Dafne offer clear trail advice, while your bus, ferry, and return transfer are arranged. Bring sturdy shoes, water, snacks, and swimwear for the beach at the gorge exit.

“Everything was very well organised and the guide was incredibly helpful, friendly and informative from start to finish.”

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10.Imbros Gorge Guided Hike and Village Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 133 reviews · 8 hours · from $35

Travel from Chania into Crete’s White Mountains for a mostly downhill 9 km hike through Imbros Gorge. Guides such as Carolina and Ingrid add island history, while a swim and free time in Chora Sfakion round out the day. Bring cash, sturdy shoes, water, and swimwear.

“Carolina was an excellent host. She gave lots of interesting information about the island. She was very knowledgeable friendly and helpful. There was a taverna and toilets to use before the walk. When commencing the walk the hardest part is the walk down to the ticket office. The rest of the walk is over mostly small rocks with a little scrambling required. There was a toilet (nothing special just a hole in the ground) and refreshments half way. As a family ( 13 and 8 year old) we completed Imbros Gorge walk in just over 2 hours. It was mostly shaded in the gorge for our walk in October. The…”

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11.Samariá Gorge Full-Day Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 129 reviews · 12 hours · from $37

Join an English-speaking guide such as Maria or Leonidas for a demanding 16-kilometer walk through Samariá Gorge. You’ll see the Iron Gates, look for Kri-Kri goats, swim at Agia Roumeli, and take a ferry along Crete’s southern coast.

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12.Samaria Gorge Hiking with transfer and expert Escort

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 125 reviews · 12 - 16 hours · from $47

You’ll hike from the Omalos Plateau through Samaria Gorge, with a first-aid-trained guide nearby, then eat or swim in Agia Roumeli before taking a boat to Hora Sfakion. The 12 to 16-hour day includes hotel pickup, but you’ll pay separately for the €10 gorge entry and €14 boat ticket.

“The travel arrangements were excellent and the guide really knew his stuff It is a tough walk which took around 5 hours with a lot of uneven surface, but very enjoyable”

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13.Kourtaliotiko Gorge: Guided River Adventure Trek with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 106 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $112

Meet Panos, Alkis, or another certified guide at Banana Garden for a 4.5-hour small-group river trek through Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Swim to a waterfall, walk through clear pools, spot wildlife, and finish with Greek tapas at the family taverna.

“Denifietly worth seeing the Kourtaliotiko George. It is breathtaking. Trip was well organised and guides were very knowledgeable. Really recommended it, gives you something else then laying on the beach.”

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14.Kourtaliotiko Gorge River Trek with Lunch! Pick-up Avaliable

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 90 reviews · 5 hours · from $112

Follow an English-speaking guide through Kourtaliotiko Gorge in a small group of up to 10. You’ll wear a provided neoprene suit and helmet, swim to the Great Waterfall, walk through river pools, then enjoy a light lunch at Banana Garden. Hotel pickup from Rethymno is optional.

“Spektakulär in eine hohe schmale Schlucht mit Wasserfällen hineinzuschwimmen zu können und durch das Flussbett in Richtung Tal zu warten-sehr gut organisiert und ein schöner Abschluss im Banana Garden. Sehr sympathischer Guide (Neoprenanzug, Helm und wasserdichtes Handycase wird gestellt, feste Schuhe z. B. nicht die neuesten Turnschuhe,die nass werden können, unbedingt mitnehmen) - unsere absolute Empfehlung, Sonja und Ole”

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15.Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $41

Leave Chania early for a guided, self-paced trek through Samaria Gorge, with an English-speaking escort, entrance and ferry arrangements, and transport back by boat and bus. Guides such as Christina, Nikos, Thomas, and Sara help with timing and trail advice. Bring sturdy shoes, water, snacks, and a swimsuit.

“So glad we got to see this gorge! The travel time to and from is quite long and not great for folks who get motion sickness from right turns in a bus. Other than that, it was memorable and we are glad we did this. You’ll need a swim suit and cash for this adventure.”

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