Crete Island Travel Forum

South Western Walking Trail
Posted: Tue January 29, 2008 05:40 AM UTC

I can't recall where it fully starts, but it ends up in Elafonissi, the trail is about 3 days long (the part I'm trying to recall anyway), there are many ruins along the way and some amazing towns and trails, most of which you can only get to on foot of by boat. i know a section of the trip is dangerous and they recommend a boat for a general section of this part. But the rest is fine, we are very interested in this for our Crete stay and want to experience it.

I will find out the name of the town we are thinking of starting it, its a fishing village on the very south coast (of course)..... I'll find that out later, it was in a book I was reading.

I'm wondering if anyone here has done this walk, how hard is it, how long is it and do we need a guide and is it easy to follow the trail?

SandyPhim

8 replies

[Reply]

Re: South Western Walking Trail
Posted: Tue January 29, 2008 11:04 AM UTC

There are quite a few trails in the area apart from the coastal one, E4, no fishing villages on that coast, just villages devoted to tourism now. I presume you mean the route, Chora Sfakia - Loutro - Sougia - Paleochora - Elafonissi.

I have done small sections of it, plus the Samaria gorge and Imbros gorges which are off that route.
The parts I've done were straightforward. You would need specialist advice for some sections as you do need a head for heights, very narrow tracks on the side of mountains. Other parts are just road and pretty easy.

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Ouzone

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Re: South Western Walking Trail
Posted: Tue January 29, 2008 05:54 PM UTC

You're probably best asking on the Sfakia website http://www.sfakia-crete.com - most of the forum members are keen walkers and will be able to help you out, ouzone is right - the villages are no longer really fishing villages, but it's a great part of the world.

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Elenitsa

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Re: South Western Walking Trail
Posted: Tue January 29, 2008 11:08 PM UTC

Thanks for the info, both of you.

I'll find out the trail this evening, as I'm not quite home yet. Once I do I'll post it up. You don't think you need a guide or maps or anything, I mean I was told that its easy to follow the trail, getting lost would be pretty bad.

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SandyPhim

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Re: South Western Walking Trail
Posted: Tue January 29, 2008 11:48 PM UTC

The information I have here says that its best to land in Hania, then get to Souda and then across to Hora Sfakion where this trail starts:

Hora Sfakion, Loutro, Agia Roumeli, Sougia, Paleohora, Elafonisi.

They said that its advised to take a boat from Agia roumeli to Sougia instead of walking because its pretty high up and a bit dangerous and it takes about 12 hours because you need to go so slow. So this is the route......

Also once in Elafonisi can we take a boat or bus back to Hania?

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SandyPhim

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Re: South Western Walking Trail
Posted: Thu February 7, 2008 05:42 AM UTC

I personally do take maps when walking in Crete. I don't know this particular trail, but I have been glad when walking - and it adds interest too. The ones I use are: Map of Western Crete (ISBN 9608189128) and Map of Eastern Crete (ISBN 9608189136 )

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Spincat

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Re: South Western Walking Trail
Posted: Thu February 7, 2008 08:57 AM UTC

Hi, I was in South West Crete three time and this is my favourite area there. I have heard about this trail but never done it, sorry. I can tell you to try ask to the www.explorecrete.com forum, I think I read about this trail there.

Happy travel,
Orietta

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