About this trip.
The walls of Chania
Walk the Venetian harbour at Chania and you can read the island's history in the stonework — the lighthouse begun under the Venetians, the minarets added by the Ottomans, the waterfront tavernas now spilling out beneath both. Western Crete carries its past plainly: Byzantine chapels at the edge of olive groves, a 3,000-year-old olive tree at Ano Vouves still putting out leaves, the ruins of Ancient Phalasarna eroding above the sea. This is a single-centre, self-guided walking week with a hire car included, based at a traditional rural hotel with a pool. The brief is straightforward — walk when you feel like walking, drive somewhere worth seeing when you don't.
The walking, gorge by gorge
The White Mountains rise to around 2,500 metres behind the hotel, and the gorges they cut are the headline attraction. Sirikari is the gentle one: 11.5km, around 4.5 hours, with a fair chance of spotting griffon vultures and a fraction of the foot traffic that funnels through the famous Samaria. Irini is the alternative if you want something quieter still. Closer to home, two grade 1 circuits start from the hotel door — a 7.5km loop through four villages, olive groves and vineyards, and a 6.5km route that climbs a ridge to Ano Vouves and that ancient tree. The Palea Roumata Valley is a shaded 4km option for the heat of the day. For coast walking, the path from Ravdoucha drops through gullies to the pebble beaches of Nopigia: 7km out and back, with a picnic and a swim built into the middle.
Driving days and quieter corners
Crete rewards an unhurried day in the car. Chania itself is the obvious draw — Venetian, walkable, properly characterful, with restaurants along the harbour that earn their reputation. Inland, Agia Lake is good for birdwatching and sits beside botanical gardens worth an hour's wander among wisteria and citrus. The village of Chrysavgi has a traditional shop selling Cretan honey, wine and small-batch produce, and the chapel of Agia Paraskevi is a short detour for anyone interested in the older Byzantine fabric of the island. Elafonisi Beach, with its pink-tinged sand, is the long drive south-west; it is busy in season but still extraordinary in the right light.
The practical side
Seven nights at a rural hotel, with breakfast every day, two dinners and three picnics. Walks are graded 1 to 2, with daily distances mostly between 5 and 15km and the occasional climb — comfortable for anyone in reasonable condition rather than committed hill-walkers. Route notes and GPS navigation are provided; category C car hire is included. Inntravel will arrange flights, or you can travel by train from London if you'd rather avoid them. The holiday runs from any start day between 1 April and 30 June 2026, and again from 26 August to 31 October — sensibly avoiding the high-summer heat, when daytime temperatures sit at 33°C and rainfall is effectively zero. From £835 per person, excluding flights.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for walking holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every walking day
- ✓Detailed route notes with maps and GPX files
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches — typically a village picnic or café stop
- ×Some evening meals — depends on the specific itinerary
- ×Alcohol beyond any wine included with set dinners
- ×Optional room or transfer upgrades
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
Other walking holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
