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Rethymno Regional Unit National parks

Our most recommended Rethymno Regional Unit National parks

From Rethymno: Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek with Pickup

1. From Rethymno: Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek with Pickup

Take a day trip from Rethymno to set out on an outdoor adventure into Samaria Gorge National Park. Hike at your own pace with a guide over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees, along a river, and by fresh-water springs. Keep an eye out for mountain goats roaming in the wild. Begin your full-day excursion to Samaria Gorge with pickup and a drive to Omalos, in the heart of the White Mountains, where you can enjoy breakfast before you start the hike. Challenge yourself with 17 kilometers of walking over rocky terrain. Be accompanied by a mountain escort who speaks English, German and French. Get briefed about your hike and get your tickets for the entrance and ferry boat from your escort. These fees have to be paid to the guide upon arrival. After breakfast, enter the Samaria Gorge. Walk at your own pace as your guide will be at the end of the group to help out if you need them. At the end of the trek, visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars, and shops. Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. A meeting point will be arranged so you can collect your ferry tickets from your guide. Late in the afternoon, board a boat to go from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the pickup point.

From Chania or Rethymno: Samariá Gorge Guided Hike

2. From Chania or Rethymno: Samariá Gorge Guided Hike

Embark on a guided hike in the Samariá Gorge on a day trip from Rethymno or Chania. Get your daily dose of exercise, enjoy the panoramic views and take a swim.  Discover the longest gorge in Europe, an area of stunning natural beauty. See its many flowers and herbs and the crystal-clear spring waters that flow from the mountains. Following an early morning pickup from the nearest point to your accommodation in Rethymno or Chania, travel through the mountains passing the plateau of Omalos. Arrive at some wooden stairs at the start of Samariá Gorge. You can opt to start the walk straight away or get some breakfast at the taverna before you begin. Hike for approximately 6-7 hours and experience the magnificent landscape on a 16-kilometer walk. Once you have finished the hike, there will be ample time for a swim and lunch at a taverna in Agia Roumeli.

From Rethymno: Imbros Gorge & Libyan Guided Sea Tour

3. From Rethymno: Imbros Gorge & Libyan Guided Sea Tour

After pickup from your hotel in the Rethymno area at approximately 7:30 AM, journey by bus to the Imbros Gorge in the eastern part of the White Mountains of Crete. Upon arrival, enjoy an easy 3-hour hike through the narrow passages and marvel at the stunning rock formations. The Imbros Gorge is the second most popular gorge for walkers in Crete after the gorge of Samaria. This picturesque gorge is smaller (8km long) than the Samaria but is just as beautiful. During your descent you will visit various famous locations such as the Stenada (the gorge's narrowest passage), Mesofarango (a wider passage) and Xepitira Arch (a natural stone arch). You'll then arrive at Komitades Village where buses will be waiting to bring you to Chora Sfakion for some relaxing free time at one of the taverns or cafés overlooking the sea. Continue by bus to the south coast and visit a beautiful beach for a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea. Relax and enjoy a traditional lunch before the bus trip back to Rethymno area at approximately 5:30 PM.

From Rethymno/Chania: Imbros Gorge Hike

4. From Rethymno/Chania: Imbros Gorge Hike

Discover Imbros Gorge, which runs parallel to the more famous Samaria Gorge. Although the Imbros Gorge is smaller, many people prefer to cross here because it offers a very different hiking experience than the Samaria Gorge. After your tour, enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea and lunch at a village taverna. Enjoy hotel pickup and arrive at Imbros around 10 AM. Have breakfast and then hike about 2.5 hours to discover the beauty of this narrow natural passage. Learn about the rock formations and the legend of the 2 brothers that Imbros is named after. For many years, the Imbros Gorge served as part of the trail that connected Chania to Hora Sfakion. Stroll through a piece of World War II history, as you walk where thousands of British soldiers passed through after the Battle of Crete to get to Egypt.  End your hike in Komitades Village and then depart for Sfakia. Take a swim in the refreshing Libyan Sea and eat lunch with the locals in the taverns before returning to your hotel.

Semi-private hikking to Imbros Gorge with lunch

5. Semi-private hikking to Imbros Gorge with lunch

Escape into the wilderness of Crete on a private guided day trip to the Gola Di Imbros and Hora Sfakion from Rethymno. Explore the canyon, spotting rare species of birds as you hike, and refuel with a traditional Cretan lunch. Make a stop in Hora Sfakion and soak in the sun on Vrissi beach. Get picked and drive to the Gola Di Imbros, enjoying scenic views of Crete on the way. Arrive and follow your guide to the beginning of the trail. Descend into the canyon, winding between the narrow, towering rock faces that cover the trail with shade. Listen to your guide as they point out rare plants and wildlife that grow and live in this arid environment. Look out for tulips, Dyer’s alkanet, and the colorful scabiosa. Hear distant bird calls and keep an eye in the sky for blackbirds, thrushes, crows, hawks, and eagles. Pass by a stone arch and depending on how you feel, choose to end your hike here and get lunch back at the starting point, or continue another 15 minutes through the canyon to the village of Komitades for lunch in a traditional Cretan tavern. On your private trip, the choice is yours. After lunch, leave the Gola Di Imbros behind and drive to the coastal town of Hora Sfakion. Take a relaxing walk on pebble beaches or the picturesque Vrissi beach. Wave goodbye to the sea and transfer back to Rethymno.

From Chania or Rethymno: Samaria Gorge Full-Day Hiking Trip

6. From Chania or Rethymno: Samaria Gorge Full-Day Hiking Trip

Embark on a guided hike through the Samaria Gorge from Chania or Rethymno and soak up the dramatic views across the canyon. Continue to a seaside village to explore and unwind in the sea, before being chauffeured back to your hotel. After being picked up early in the morning from your hotel in Chania or Rethymno, meet your expert guide and journey to Xyloskalo on the Omalos Plateau. From there, together you will start the 18-kilometer hiking tour. As you hike through the Samaria Gorge, admire the ever-changing, dramatic landscapes and scenery. Head downriver on the south side of the White Mountains for incredible photos. At the end of the canyon, find yourself in the small village of Agia Roumeli, where the great canyon meets the Libyan Sea. Explore this seaside fishing village and enjoy a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters. Get recommendations from your guide on where to have lunch. Take the boat to the Hora Sfakion, where your private driver will meet you and take you back. Travel in comfort after your hike as you relax in a modern, chauffeured vehicle.

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What people are saying about Rethymno Regional Unit

The gorge was wonderful but the organisation was not smooth and caused stress. I received pick-up details 2 days after the trip! As I did not receive the email with additional info before the trip I wrote to customer support. No one ever answered. I contacted the local organisator via WhatsApp and again no reaction. I was lucky to call them 30 min before pick-up time and received directions where to go. Fortunately, we stayed close, otherwise, we could miss the trip...

Went in october, temp perfect for walking, be prepared for a long day, our guide Kostos was brilliant, lovely taverna at the end of the walk, transfers and pickups were spot on.

Unbelievable hike! Gorgeous views and now as challenging as expected. Highly recommend but be prepared for a long, winding bus ride to and from.

A great tour in the gorge. Not for the weak, nor for the physically challenged.

It was a very nice hike. Unfortunately a little little time for swimming