The Greek Islands, perhaps better known for their beach resorts, are a treasure trove of landscapes for the walker or cyclist to discover. The largest of these, Crete, is a personal favourite of mine, and home to the Crete Coast to Coast.

In a Nutshell

Distance: 84km over 6 walking days

Grading: Moderate. Achievable for most with a good level of fitness as daily walking distances are relatively short but expect some ascent and descent, and a bit of scrambling at points on rougher terrain.

Where is it?

Crete is one of the southernmost of the Greek Islands, with some of the most ancient of Greek and European historic sights and a fascinating yet turbulent history. Knossos is the second most visited archaeological site in Greece (behind the Acropolis) and well worth a stop off on the way to/from Heraklion airport.

This Coast to Coast route heads from north to south.

Why walk the Crete Coast to Coast?

The north coast of Crete is where the majority of tourists head, where a range of bustling resorts attract sun-seekers. Head a bit further west and you reach the traditional village of Vamos, the start of this adventure, where you will reside in the old quarter for a couple of nights. The Coast to Coast is more of a collection of walks including loops, instead of a traditional linear walk. This joins up some of the most spectacular landscapes, most delightful villages, and best sections of coast to fit nicely into a week's break. [

Enjoy Plenty of Taverna Time!

A world apart from the Crete most tourists will experience, sometimes you might not see a soul for hours. Bliss! Walk through the magnificent gorge of Sfakia, marvel at the peaks of the Lefka Ori, and swim in the deep blue and clear waters of the Libyan Sea. The hospitality of the Greek people is something which brings me back to the country time and time again, and the opportunity to experience rural culture and some hidden spots should not be missed. Subscribers to the Sun (UK Newspaper) can read a review of our trip in their article This Crete is Made for Walking, and in the words of the latest reviewer on our website (thank you P&A from Gloucestershire!): "We had a wonderful week. The walking was superb; birds were singing, spring flowers were out, and the Cretan food was fantastic..."

Planning to Walk Crete Coast to Coast

We suggest 6 walking days and a 7 night stay to make the most of this wonderful walk. April, May, June, September and October are ideal months to walk (July and August are just far too hot). You can contact Macs Adventure on info@macsadventure.com for advice or reservation enquiries, or see more about the Crete Coast to Coast here. Why not make an epic island-hopping trek of it, but joining it up with Santorini & Naxos? You can never have too much of a good thing!