Walk The Walks: Hiking Holidays And Traditional Crete Hotels

Crete is the largest and most mountainous of the Greek islands and boasts a wide

variety of different terrains that make it perfect for hiking and walking holidays. From challenging peak ascents to scenic coastal paths, walkers and hikers of whatever ability are sure to find something that suits them. The wide range of Crete hotels offer ideal locations for hiking enthusiasts, and with prices starting from 10 per person per night, there are plenty of affordable options.

The largest of the Greek islands, Cretes climate can vary from one region to the next. However, on the whole, the weather on the island is typical of what you would expect from the Mediterranean, namely mild winters and long hot summers. Yet, like most visitors, walking enthusiasts prefer to visit Crete between April and October in order to take advantage of the warmest weather. In fact, springtime is a particularly good time to visit the island, when around 1,500 different types of wild flowers lift the mountainsides with their vibrant colours, including camomile, iris and a number of different varieties of Cretan orchids. Another reason many opt to visit Crete during the spring is to avoid the peak tourist season, which runs from mid-July to early September and is when the islands beaches, restaurants and hotels are at their busiest.

If youre considering going on a walking holiday for the first time, it is well worth taking the time to invest in a sturdy pair of walking boots, as well as a good hat to protect you from the intense summer sun. Its also important to remember to pack plenty of sun cream and bottled water if youre going to be out hiking during the hottest part of the day.

Day Hikes in the West of Crete

Hidden coves and a ruggedly dramatic landscape await walking enthusiasts in the largely unspoilt west of Crete, which is considered one of the best places to walk and hike on the island. Ancient pathways and shepherds trails criss-cross the western portion of the country many unused except by wild goats or curious travellers. Ask at one of the Crete hotels located throughout the area for tips on the nearest and most scenic day walks in the area.

Asterousia Mountains

Located in south of Crete, and slightly warmer as a result, the Asterousia Mountains overlook the Mesara plain and offer walking enthusiasts a combination of breathtaking scenery and fascinating ancient sites of archaeological interest.If, after a few days of walking, you are in need of a more sedate excursion, the ancient Minoan city of Phaistos affords a glimpse into a fascinating civilisation and the palace on the site thankfully was spared from any imaginative reconstruction by overzealous British archaeologists. Cretan ancestral villages and long-standing traditions are diligently preserved by its inhabitants, and hikers staying at Crete hotels and exploring its remoter regions can expect to encounter a distinctive culture and atmosphere quite unlike anything they might find on the other Greek islands.

The Samarian Gorge

One of the longest of its kind in Europe and boasting spectacular scenery, Cretes Samarian Gorge is a popular attraction with walkers and ordinary holidaymakers alike. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the White Mountains, the Samarian Gorge National Park is open from early May to October. The gorge is about 16km long, and the majority of visitors choose to start their walk early in the morning. Walkers reach the village of Samaria at roughly the halfway point, with many choosing to stop for a spot of lunch and a brief rest.

by: Nick Yorke

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