European Long Distance Walking Path E4 - Crete
NOTE:
 Warning - Many portions of this route include harsh and arid hiking conditions. Carrying
supplies and especially adequate water are essential. All appropriate preparations should be made and
detailed walking maps are a must. It is advisable to walk as a group of two or more and to inform someone
who can check your progress, where you are and your intended next destination at each stage of the
journey.
We receive reports of parts of this path being
completely blocked, badly signed or not signed at all (Sougia to Agia
Roumelli being specially bad and not always passable). Ask several
people locally before starting out and allow for the possibility of
having to return to your starting point after many hours walking. It is
easy to get lost. Proceed with great caution.
Additional warning: We have been informed by some hikers that many of the distances shown below are inaccurate. We advise paying attention to detailed maps and to study them thoroughly before each day's route is planned.
(Some helpful maps here)
Note: Text and written information below is
contributed by Oreivatein.com
Map and photographs -Copyright CreteTravel.com
2001-2008.
The Cretan highland
The E4 path on Crete forks in Sougia in Northern and southern parts.
The Northern part is purely alpine and requires alpine experience from the hiker. The southern part
on the south coast of the island, is very rough at many points. At some positions between
Sougia and Chora Sfakion the path is abandoned. Sure-footing is necessary for both branches. Neither branch goes
through the Samaria gorge. The length of each branch is approximately 320 km and one needs 3 weeks for the
complete hike.
From Kastelli
From Kastelli, one hikes south and over the village of Kato Paleokastro (2 km), Korfiana (2 km) Grigoriana (2 km), Polirinia (2 km), Galouvases (2 km), on asphalted route to Lousakies (2,5 km - restaurant), Zachariana (2,5 km), on asphalted route to Sfinari (7 km - lodging); from Kastelli:
22,5 km.
 From Sfinari
From Sfinari to Ano Sfinari (1 km) and through the following villages: Kambos (5 km), Keramoti 5 km), Amigdalokefali (3 km), Simantiriana(3,5 km), Papadiana 2,5 km), Kefali
(1 km), Vathi (2 km), Plokamiana (2 km), to the monastery of Chrissoskalitissa (7 km from Sfinari, 32 km- visit - lodging; historic
monastery). From Chrissoskalitissa over Elafonissos (1 km), Ag.Ioannis (4 km), Koundoura (4,5 km) to Paleochora (7,5 km) - from Chrissoskalitisa 14,5 km and from
Kastelli
approximately half a week; lodging.
From Paleochora
From Paleochora, one reaches the historic Lissos (11 km; once Asklipios spa) and after
a further 3,5 km reaches
Sougia (6 hours from Paleochora; visit - and lodging). Here, the path forks into two, the alpine part and the part at the southern coasts of the island until Frangokastello.
Course of the southern part:
The route of Sougia to Agia Roumeli, where the Gorge of Samaria exits, opened recently and is marked. From
Sougia to Pikilassos-Tripiti (7,5 km), exit of the canyon (1 km), Domata 5
km, exit of the canyon (3 km), Agia Roumeli 6 km - from
Sougia: 20 km-8 to 9 hours; visit - and lodging; connection with ferry to Loutro and
Chora Sfakia).
From Agia Roumeli
From Agia Roumeli hike the path along the coast to chapel Ag. Pavlos (3,5 km), Marmara - exit of the Aradena canyon (6,5 km),
Loutro (3 km - from Ag. Roumeli: 13 km-5 hours; Visit and lodging).
From Loutro
From Loutro to Chora Sfakia (6 km; visit - and lodging; Bus connection with
Chania), Komitades (4 km; restaurant), Vraskas (1,3 km), Nimikiana (0,5 km), Ag.Nektarios (1,5 km), Frangokastello (6,5 km-from Loutro: 19,5 km-6,30 hours; Venetian castle; visit and lodging).
From Frangokastello
From Frangokastello to Skaloti (4,5 km; restaurant), Argoules (2 km), Kato Rodakino 7,5 km - from Frangokastello 14 km; visit and lodging; from
Kastelli Kissamou approximately 8 days). Here
the path to the southern coast of the island stops. The path bends keenly northward and runs into the area of the Prefecture of
Rethymno.
Course of the alpine part of the path
1. from Sougia to Livadas (6,5 km), Koustogerako (4km), Agii Theodori (10 km), centre of the Omalos plateau (4 km). Hotel and Motels. 8 hours.
2. from Sougia directly through the canyon of Agia Irini to the center of the Omalos plateau (15 km) 7.30 hours. From Omalos to the Kallergi refuge (5 km) 2 hours. The refuge is farmed in the summer. From the refuge to the summit Melidaou (6 km), from there to
Katziveli, where the refuge Chouliopoulos stands (7 km). Total (18 km) 7.30 hours . The refuge is closed normally and the keys are kept by
the EOS (Greek Mountaineering Association) of Chania.
From Katziveli
From Katziveli to Livada, Siderokefalo, Kanaki, Poussia (Mikros Trocharis), Koutalas, Fanari (side), Niatos (plateau), Tavri (plateau),
Askifou.
Entire 20 km, 10 hours. Inn, Motels.
From Askifou
From Askifou to Imbros (5 km), through Imbros Gorge to Komitades (4,5 km) where one hits the
path on the south of Crete and then to Frangokastello. Entire (19 km) 6.30 hours. The route separates here again. The alpine part proceeds: Patzianos (2,5 km), Kallikratis, Asi Gonia, Argiroupoli. Entire (27 km), 9 hours. The
path runs into the area of the Prefecture of
Rethymno.
From Argyroupolis
From Argyroupolis to Kato Poros, then south 2,5 km, again east 1 km and now north to Moundros, then south through the Moudriano canyon, then east, southeast until Agouliana
(23 km - 7-8 hours). Rooms, Motels.
From Agouliana
From Agouliana southeast to Koxare, Agia Pelagia, Ano Mixorouma, (Motels), Spili
(13,5 km - 4 hours) Motels, Rooms, bank, post.
From Spili
From Spili take the path southeast by the route to Kissos, approximately 1 km after the village near the
monastery where it bends north-east and then east to
the summit of Mt Kedros (1776 m). From there the path to Gerakari (from Spili
18,5 km - 8 hours). Only Coffee shops.
From Gerakari
From Gerakari to the villages Elenes, Amari, Opsijas, Lambiotes, Visari to Fourfouras. Rooms,
Motels, shops. From Gerakari 5 hours.
From Fourfouras
From Fourfouras the marked way to the refuge of EOS of
Rethymno at the south slopes of Psilorotis to high 1400 m. The refuge is not always
open. From Fourfouras until the refuge, the hike lasts 3,5 - 4 hours and
the difference in altitude is approximately 1000 m.
From here the way leads north
From here the way leads north through a rocky land steeply to the summit of Psiloritis -Timios Stavros (2454
m), reached in 3 to 3.30'. The area is arid and treeless. From the summit, one has a splendid view of the whole island. From the summit on a well stepped and marked path, one reaches
& descends to the Nida plateau in 2,5 hours. Here the two branches meet again and proceed as a uniform path up to the east coast of the island. Above the Nida plateau is the Ida
grotto (or Ideon cave), where Zeus was born by goat Amalthia according to the saga.
Course of the southern branch
Course of the southern branch of the E4GR (traveling-part) from Rodakino to Nida. From Kato Rodakino north directly to the village of Agios Konstantinos
(20,5 km - 7 to 8 hours). 3 km later the route bends to the alpine part
of E4GR. Here Rooms, Motels.
From Agios Konstantinos
From Agios Konstantinos east to Kaloniktis, Ano Valsamonero, Armeni (15 km - 5 hours). Rooms - Motels.
Graveyard dating from minoan age in the village.
From Armeni
From Armeni to the biggest part of forest-route - and field tracks through the village Selli (at the chapel Agia Fotini, where the route bends to
Rethymno), Charkia and
Kamvoussion to Arkadi (29 km - 9 to 10 hours). Motels, lodging in the
monastery.
From Arkadi
From Arkadi through the villages Elefterna (Rooms, Motels), Kato Tripodio (lodging), Margariti (Rooms - Motels), Orthes (Motels), Kalantare, Kalamas, Passaline, Choumeri, Dafnedes, Episkopi, Garazo
(32 km - 11 to 12 hours). Motels, shops.
From Garazo
From Garazo to Anogia through Moni Diakouriou (Diakouriou monastery), Zoniana, asphalted route to Anogia
(16 km - 5 hours). Motels, lodging, Rooms.
From Anogia
From Anogia to Zomithos (11 km) and afterwards to Nida plateau (11 km), altogether 6 hours. The uniform long-distance-footpath E4GR here extends from the Nida plateau till the east coast. Despite its consistency, there are two branches at the start, from the village Kamares, where a grotto is situated, to the border.
Branch 1. From the plateau to the summit (approximately 1000 m), then south-east till a fork (ca. 2 km), where one must follow the branch eastward. After more than 5,5 km, the
path reaches a forest, turns south, to chapel Ag. Ioannis, through Gafari canyon to the village Zaros (19 km - 5,30' hours). Hotel, Motels.
Branch 2. From the summit Timios Stavros, after approximately 5 km there is a marked forking of the path to Kamares (altitude 1900 m). To Kamares (9 km - 3 hours) - hotel, Motels, bus to
Rethymno. From Kamares further to
Vorizia (3,5 km - 0.50' hours), Zaros 9 km - 2.40' hours).
From Zaros
From Zaros (first branch) up to the chapel Ag. Ioannis (7 km - high 900 m), Gyristi (7,5 km - high 1700 M.), EOS refuge (3 km - high 1100 M.), Ano Asites (entire 21,5 km - 9 30' hours). Only
coffee shops, bus to Iraklion.
From Ano Asites
From Ano Asites mainly on field and forest tracks, partially also on asphalted roads, hike
to villages Kerassia (3,5 km), Veneraton (1,5 km), Kiparissi (7,7 km), Profitis Ilias (4 km). Motels, castle. Ano
Archanes (9 km -3 hours),
coffee shops, bus to Heraklion,
Motels. Archaeological museum.
From Ano Archanes
From Ano Archanes to Kato Archanes (2 km), Myrtia (9,5 km), Astraki (1 km), Apostoli (11,5 km), Kastelli (4,5 km) (Motels, Bus to
Heraklion), Xydas (3 km) (Motels, Bus - Archaeological area), Kastamonitsa (3,5 km), Kato Metochi (9,5 km), Psychron (3 km - hotel, Motels, grotto, archaeological museum. Metochi and
Psychron lie on the plateau of Lassithi, 850 m high.
From Psychron
From Psychron through the Lassithi level to Agios Georgios (2,5 km), where there is also the refuge of the mountain climbers and skiers of Lassithi Club. The Vice president of the club is the priest of the village. Here, there is a hotel and Motels. From here the
path goes south, one climbs to the saddle (1800 m) between the summits Dikti (2147 m) and Afendis Christos (2140 m). Before the saddle, the
path bends east and proceeds descending to the Alm Salakano (17 km from Agios Georgios), where there is only a
taverna.
From the Alm Salakano
From the Alm Salakano east to Prina (18 km-5 Stds - high 550 m), Masseleri (3,5 km), Vassiliki (15,5 km - high 100 m, deepest
portion of the hike), crossing of the Ierapetra-Agios Nikolaos road to Monastiraki, again climbing the slopes of mountain Thripti to the village Thripti (high 880 m - 5 km-2 30' hours), further
along the slopes of the mountain to Orino (high 650 m - 6,5 km), Ghryssopigi (6,5 km), Papagiannades (9 km), Chandras (4 km), Ziros (4 km), descending to Ano Zakros (250 m high- 11 km from Ziros), (rooms, motels) to
Kato Zakros through the Valley of the Dead (5,5 km-7,50' hours). Rooms, motels. Places to visit: palace. Kato Zakros lies
on the east coast of the island and is where the the European long-distance-footpath E4GR of Crete
finishes.
CreteTravel.com thanks Mr.Rigas and Oreivatein.com for providing the above
information.
Map and photographs - Copyright CreteTravel.com
2001-2008
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