Hike & Bike Southern Crete
Greece Bike Tours
Explore the Island of Crete on foot, by bike, & by boat!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length7–6 days
- Prices from€1350 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
You will be forgiven for thinking you have landed in paradise on this multi-adventure tour. Hike, bike, and boat your way around idyllic southern Crete. A shimmering jewel in the Mediterranean Sea, this small Greek Island is brimming with natural beauty, authentic Greek culture and island hospitality.
Based at one hotel, you will explore a different corner of Crete each day. Your guide will show you the best spots and reveal the stories behind the island and its people.
Find yourself exploring the mountains of Paleochora, dotted with secluded mountain villages, tiny churches, and ancient sites. Descend into spectacular gorges, and cool off in flowing streams and secluded bays. Dance to the rhythm of traditional Greek music, satisfying your appetite on many homemade Cretan dishes served in the local taverns. Boat the aquamarine waters in search of the rare Caretta Turtle, before plunging into the sea for a swim. The many bays and coves dotted around the island are perfect for sunbathing and relaxing after a day of hiking and biking.
Highlights
- Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea
- Cretan cuisine
- Traditional Greek dancing
- Samaria Gorge hiking
- Elafonisi National Park
- 13-century church frescos
- Moutains of the Island Of Minos
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Itinerary
Day 1: Paleochora
Day 2: Anydroi Gorge, 15 mi. (25 km) by bike & 4 mi. (6.5 km) by foot
Day 3: Ancient Lissos, 20 mi. (33 km) by bike & 2.8 mi. (4.5 km) by foot
Day 4: Samaria Gorge, 10 mi. (16 km) by foot
Day 5: Sougia, 9 mi. (15 km) by bike & boat excursion
Day 6: Voytas-Paleochora-boat trip to Elafonisi, 10.5 mi. (17 km) by bike
Day 7: Paleochora* All distances are approximate. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday.
Day 1: Paleochora
On arrival at Chania Airport, you will transfer to Paleochora for the start of your tour. Transfers can be arranged on request (at an additional cost). Check-in at the Rea Hotel is possible from 3 pm. If you arrive in the afternoon, enjoy free time by taking a walk through Paleochora, having a swim or simply sunbathing at the nearby beach. In the evening, there will be a lavish barbeque where you will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers. Afterward, your tour guide will give an overview of the week to come and all the planned activities.
Day 2: Anydroi Gorge, 15 mi. (25 km) by bike & 4 mi. (6.5 km) by foot
After breakfast, an organized transfer vehicle will take you to the starting point of our first bike tour. From here you will cycle to the village of Azogyres where we will visit the 99 Holy Fathers Monastery and hear the story of St. John the hermit and the Holy Fathers. A one hour hike will follow. On the way, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy beautiful panoramic views. When you reach the village of Anydroi, you will be able to try delicious Cretan dishes for lunch. You will continue your hike through the Anydroi Gorge until you reach a secluded sandy beach. Here the blue seas will lure you in for a swim before you head back to the hotel, either by bike or transfer bus. In the evening, your tour guide will invite you to join a guided tour through Paleochora before you end your evening with dinner at a local tavern.
Day 3: Ancient Lissos, 20 mi. (33 km) by bike & 2.8 mi. (4.5 km) by foot
Today’s tour is a wonderful combination of biking, hiking, and boating. An incredible nature experience awaits you on this cycling tour through the mountains of Paleochora. You begin your tour from the beautiful mountain village of Azogyres and, along the way, you visit a 13th-century Byzantine church. For lunch, you will take a break at a great mountain tavern, which serves traditional Cretan cuisine including a very tasty specialty; a homemade chestnut stew. A relaxed departure will then be followed by a transfer to the starting point of your afternoon hike. The walk will take you through beautiful landscapes, predominantly following the well-known E-4 track to the ancient city of Lissos, where the sanctuary of the god of healing, Asklepios, is best preserved. Following your visit to this archaeological site, you will aboard a chartered boat and be taken to a cave. Here you will have the opportunity to take a dip in the shimmering waters before returning to the port of Paleochora. This eventful day will be rounded off with a great BBQ dinner.
Day 4: Samaria Gorge, 10 mi. (16 km) by foot
A trip to Crete without visiting the famous Samaria Gorge is practically unimaginable. A walk through this Gorge allows for an unbelievable nature experience as well as giving you a physical challenge. There are approximately 1,200 meters of elevation along the hike and the walk itself lasts around 6.5 hours. In the morning, you will take a transfer bus to the starting point of the day’s hike - at the top end of the Samaria Gorge. Restore your energy levels with a delicious picnic in the canyon. The village of Agia Roumeli lies at the lower end of the Samaria Gorge where you will enjoy a late lunch in a typical tavern. There will also be time for a swim before boarding the exclusive charter boat which will take you back Paleochora. In the evening, dinner is to be arranged individually.
Day 5: Sougia, 9 mi. (15 km) by bike & boat excursion
Today, you can look forward to a very relaxed program after the efforts of the previous day. The program includes a transfer to the mountain top village of Papadiana, followed by a downhill bike tour to Sougia. Here you will have plenty of time to swim. After a delicious lunch, you return by boat to Paleochora. Here you can relax for a while before experiencing a true Greek evening with Cretan delicacies and traditional dancing. Don’t forget: Syrtaki was first danced on the island of Crete!
Day 6: Voytas-Paleochora-boat trip to Elafonisi, 10.5 mi. (17 km) by bike
Another day full of adventure awaits! After a late breakfast, a transfer shuttle will take you to Voytas where you will visit a small church from the 13th-century. This church is incredibly well preserved and even the frescos, picturing the torments of hell, are still visible. From there, you will bike through picturesque landscapes with a relaxed midday break before heading back towards Paleochora. Here you will take a privately chartered boat to visit the natural paradise of Elafonisi – a dreamy place in the middle of the Mediterranean. The exotic, white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters - found on both sides of the peninsula - are reminiscent of the Caribbean. The island is strewn with dunes, water lilies, and junipers. Various rare species, such as the endangered Caretta Turtle are able to live here (their nests being under protection). On the boat trip back to Paleochora, you will take a break at a hidden beach for a swim and BBQ.
Day 7: Paleochora
After breakfast, it is time to check out from the hotel and return home or extend your holiday on Crete. Transfers to Chania airport or ferry port can be arranged on request.Looking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Accommodation
Accommodation
Throughout the tour, you will stay at Rea Hotel. It is centrally located in Paleochora, just 150 m from Halikia Beach, with a garden where you can enjoy a homemade breakfast every morning. All the rooms in the Rea Hotel are equipped with air conditioning, TV, furnished balcony, fridge, coffee machine, and kettle. Each room has its own bathroom with shower, toilet, and hairdryer. Guests are welcome to relax in the shady garden with a coffee or drink from the bar. The city center of Paleochora with its restaurants and shops lies just 50 m from the hotel and the Paleochora harbor and Panchia Ammos Beach are only 200m and 250m away respectively.
Lunch is included on all days with activities and is served either in traditional Cretan restaurants with local dishes or as a barbeque en route. Two dinners during the week are taken independently and can be had in any of the beautiful taverns in Paleochora where traditional cuisine can be tasted and enjoyed. Your tour guide will be happy to give you recommendations for restaurants for these days if requested.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- Six breakfasts, five lunches, & four dinners
- Greek evening with dinner, live music & dancing
- Bottled mineral water & soft drinks during activities described
- Hybrid bike rental
- English speaking tour guide
- Guided cycling tours & hikes as per program
- Maps with an overview of bike tours
- Escort vehicle on all bike tours
- All minibus transfers during the trip
- Private boat charter on 4 days
- Entrance for group visits to museums & archaeological sites
- Free hotel wifi
What’s Not Included
- Travel to Crete
- Meals not mentioned
- Alcoholic beverages
- Beach towel - please bring your own
- Entrance for individually visited sights
- Entrance fee for sights not included
- Tips for tour guides and staff
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2021
Saturday departures
May 8, May 15, June 5, June 12, September 11, September 18, October 2 & October 10, 2021
* Custom dates can be arranged for groups of 6-10 people. On request.
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2021
Season 1: May & October
Double/twin: $ 2167 £ 1225 $ 2,127 € 1350 NZ$ 2345 kr 13929 $ 1,672 Single supplement: $ 321 £ 181 $ 315 € 200 NZ$ 347 kr 2064 $ 248
Season 2: June & September
Double/twin: $ 2328 £ 1316 $ 2,284 € 1450 NZ$ 2518 kr 14961 $ 1,795 Single supplement: $ 321 £ 181 $ 315 € 200 NZ$ 347 kr 2064 $ 248Extra Options
E-bike rental (2021): $ 128 £ 73 $ 126 € 80 NZ$ 139 kr 825 $ 99 One way shared pick up/drop off transfers (on day1/7): $ 80 £ 45 $ 79 € 50 NZ$ 87 kr 516 $ 62 Extra night in Crete: Available on request
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
The cycling routes require a good fitness level. The routes have a length of 10-20 miles (17-33 kms) through hilly or mountainous areas. There are however no time constraints. The bike route includes elevation of 1,000-2,300 feet (300-700 m) and though there are some longer climbs you are, of course, allowed to push your bike if desired. Most of the roads we ride along are asphalted and quiet.
The hiking tours require a high level of fitness from participants. The routes have a length of 3-10 miles (4.5-16 kms) and lead through mountainous areas. However, there are no time constraints. The hikes will mostly lead through gorges or along well-developed trails. Your tour guide will tell you each day what the requirements are for the planned tours.
Airport Info
Fly to Chania or Heraklion International Airports. Chania is located 75 km from your tour start and Heraklion Airport is located 210 km from your tour start.
Local Travel
Transfers to/from Chania airport or the ferry port to Paleochora can be arranged on request (at an additional cost). Chania Airport to Palaiochora is approximately 90 km travel by road.
Climate
The weather in Crete is characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The climate of Crete is a temperate Mediterranean climate. This is a perfect year-round destination. Do check local conditions before your arrival. A good website to visit to research regional weather conditions including average high/low temperatures, average rainfall, and other weather-related facts is weatherbase.com.
Day of Rest
Should you decide at any point that you do not want to take part in one of the tours, you are free to take a half or a full day off to swim or use the time as you wish.
Recommended
We strongly recommend that you bring good hiking boots. Flip-flops or similar shoes are not suitable for the hikes offered. It is obligatory to wear a safety helmet on all cycling tours and we recommend that you bring your own (well-fitting) helmet. However, should this not be possible, a limited number of rental helmets are available (on request). It’s recommended you bring a small backpack for hiking tours and a beach towel
Important to know
Travel documents:
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have proper identification. For US citizens, the U.S. Passports & International Travel website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. It is important to research before you travel as airlines will not permit boarding if you do not have the required valid documents.
We recommend that you make copies of your important documents and papers (insurance cards, etc.). Leave a copy at home and have a copy with you. In the unfortunate situation that you lose your original documents, having copies facilitates the replacement process.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Cycling Greece.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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