subject: Great Hiking: The E4 Footpath In Crete [print this page] The E4 long distance footpath stretches some 10,000km (6213 miles) and snakes its way roughly east to west in southern and central Europe. It starts in Spain and ends in Greece having passed through seven other countries en route. Here we shall look at a relatively short but stunning section of the trail between the coastal towns of Paleochora and Sougia in southwest Crete.
From Paleochora and Sougia:
The hike between these two towns is some 18km on hiking paths which takes you completely away from roads and settlements. Due to its short distance, you dont have to trek your camping gear with you. Then again, considering some of the views, you may just want to pitch your camping tent and spend the night.
Although the distance is relatively short, it involves quite a bit of ascending and descending headlands and therefore takes around five to six hours to complete. It can be challenging, especially in high summer when temperatures are usually in the mid to upper 30s centigrade (around 100 Fahrenheit).
The Coastline:
The walk starts from Paleochora on a tarmac road running eastwards along the coast. After 2 km from the town the trail leaves the road to the right and proceeds on a wide rough track for 4 km to a popular beach. Once you have walked along the back of the beach, you start to head into unpopulated wilderness along a track that starts to climb above the sea. For most of the next 4 or 5 km you are walking about 50 meters above a spectacular coastline with stunning views across crystal seas. Eventually you find yourself descending back to sea level and discover a small sandy cove with good shade from rocks. This makes a perfect place for a cooling dip in the sea and a bite to eat.
Cape Crocodile:
The trail then starts to climb sharply to reach the top of the headland which is locally known as Cape Crocodile (as you are walking towards it, you will see that the headland resembles a crocodiles head). This is probably the most challenging part of the walk. It is a steep climb with little shade and it can be easy to lose the trail.
The Valley:
Once you are on the top of the headland, the trail goes across the plateau where every step throws up wonderful aromas of oregano and thyme. Eventually, the path runs alongside a gully and meanders down to a large valley. Watch out for Griffon vultures that nest hereabouts and soar on the thermals. The path here is spectacular and you are descending into a fascinating place. At the valley floor you are at Lissos, the site of an ancient Roman temple and port. The temple is still visible with marvellous mosaic flooring still in situ. Take a while to explore and spot remains of buildings. Also here there is a small beach and a fresh water spring.
The Gorge, A Great Way To End:
Leaving Lissos the path zig-zags up the opposite side of the valley until it crosses another headland plateau. Then the trail enters the side of a gorge with a dry riverbed. This is filled with trees and unusual rock formations. The gorge is perhaps the prettiest part of the hike and descends into the town of Sougia to end the hike where a very cold drink and a long swim are priorities.
The E4 Footpath in Crete between Paleochora and Sougia is a wonderful hike that takes you past a variety of landscapes and breathtaking views. Its short distance easily makes it something you can hike in a day. So, next time you are near Crete and want to have an unforgettable experience, take a hike on the E4 footpath between Paleochora and Sougia.
