Lassithi Hiking
Hiking in Lassithi, Crete: Crete’s easternmost region is home to some of the island’s most remarkable natural wonders, making it an ideal spot for hikers. Embark on a one-of-a-kind journey, traversing through gorgeous trails, and awe-inspiring gorges and marveling at stunning bodies of water, making the absolute most of your Cretan vacation.
Below are Lassithi’s most popular trails that will take you through some truly unforgettable landscapes.
We recommend that hikers carry enough water, take the necessary sun protection measures and wear shoes suitable for hiking. For the longer trails, it is best to bring food and basic first aid supplies.
• Trail 1: Richtis Gorge Trail
Starting northeast from the village of Exo Mouliana, this truly remarkable trail will take you through the rich vegetation surrounding the Lachana stream, the old water mills perched atop the mountains, and the beautiful waterfall of Richtis.
Length: 10 km
Duration: 3 hours
• Trail 2: Spinalonga Peninsula
This loop trail begins shortly after the Elounda salt pan and makes the circle around the hills of Loutro and Megalo, offering stunning views of the sea and the opposite western and southeastern coasts of Crete.
Length: 7.5 km
Duration: 2 hours
• Trail 3: Minoan Path and the Kritsa Gorge
Make your way from the Kritsa settlement down to the Kritsa Gorge, before following the so-called Minoan Path in order to return south, all while taking in the natural beauty of the Gorge in combination with the Minoan history of the area.
Length: 4 km
Duration: 1.5 hours
• Trail 4: Mylonas Gorge and Waterfall
This path will take you through the Gorge of Mylona to the east of Ierapetra before reaching its end right at the Mylona Waterfall, standing 40m high, with a small lake at its base.
Length: 5.5 km
Duration: 1.5 hours
• Trail 5: Kritsa Gorge
This impressive gorge begins from the village of Kritsa and follows the riverbed of the Kritsa stream, next to the stone bridge and towards the small settlement of Tapes.
Length: 7 km
Duration: 2 hours
• Trail 6: Gorge of the Dead / Zakros - Kato Zakros
The trail starts shortly after the village of Ano Zakros and passes through the Gorge of the Dead, an ancient Minoan burial site, before ending in Kato Zakros, the beach near the archaeological site of Zakros Minoan Palace.
Length: 12 km
Duration: 3.5 hours
• Trail 7: Tzermiado - Karfi Peak
This course’s starting point is located at the village of Tzermiado, and from there goes west and then north to the peak of the Korfi settlement, before passing through several old windmills, some ancient Minoan ruins and providing a panoramic view of the mountains Selena and Dikti.
Length: 9 km
Duration: 3 hours
• Trail 8: Pefki Gorge
Starting from the village of Pefki Sitia, Pefki Gorge is small but undeniably beautiful, with its intricate geology and lush vegetation, mostly of pines, before reaching its end near the settlement of Aspros Potamos.
Length: 7.5 km
Duration: 2.5 hours
• Trail 9: Butterfly Gorge
Named after the red butterflies that live among its bushes and flowers, this stunning gorge boasts a rich tapestry of dense vegetation, cultivated lands, and impressive rock formations, as well as small waterfalls during wintertime.
Length: 5 km
Duration: 1.5 hours
• Trail 10: Kolokytha - Agios Loukas - Agios Fokas
A relatively easy hike joining two small churches on the peninsula of Kolokytha, it follows the rocky coastline from Agios Loukas to Agios Fokas and provides stunning views of the sea.
Length: 4.5 km
Duration: 1 hour
• Trail 11: Plaka to Windfarm
Beginning just before the settlement of Plaka, opposite the islet of Spinalonga, this path follows the coastline and heads northeast to the edge of Cape Aforesmenos and the wind farm that lies there.
Length: 14 km
Duration: 3.5 hours
• Trail 12: Chochlakies Gorge and Karoumes Beach
This trail takes you through Chochalkies Gorge, which despite being quite short in length, makes up for its gorgeous sceneries and natural beauty, and ends at the quiet and isolated Karoumes Beach.
Length: 6 km
Duration: 1.5 hours
