South-West Crete, a six day hike

A six day backpack hike in South-West Crete lead us through three splendid gorges, Agia Irini - Samaria - Imbros, brought us in the 1680 m Kallergi Refuge and showed us unparalleled stretches of coast. We walked six days in august 2017. Most of the hike uses hiking trails.

The hike follows a part of the E4 Trans-Crete route that connects the western end of the island (Kisamos) with the eastern end (Ziros).

Day one: start in Soughia, through the Agia Irini Gorge to Porofarago Guest House Epanokhorion (at the exit of the Agia Irini Gorge).
Day two: from the Porofarago Guest Houst climb gradually to the Kallergi Refuge (1680m).
Day three: from the Kallergi Refuge descend to Xyloskalo, the entrance of the Samaria Gorge. Descend the Samaria Gorge to Agia Roumeli. Stay in a pension there.
Day four: from Agia Roumeli along the coast to Loutro.
Day five: from Loutro along the coast to Chora Sfakion. And have time to enjoy the beach and do some snorkeling.
Day six: from Chora Sfakion to Komitades (the entrance of the Imbros Gorge). Climb the Imbros Gorge to Imbros. Continue to Amoudhari (Panorama Hotel Sfakia).

Information guide-books:
OutdoorHandbuch Band 88: Griechenland: Trans-Kreta E4; Sven Deutschmann (author), Conrad Stein Verlag (editor), 2nd ed. 2005

Rother Wandelgidsen: Kreta, de mooiste kust- en bergwandelingen, 60 Wandelingen, Rolf Goetz (author), uitgerverij Elmar (editor), 2nd ed. 2015