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Crete Walking Tour: All-Women Hiking in Greece

For a full week, Crete is our playground—we’ll hike, explore, and taste everything this stunning island has to offer. On this walking tour, the five hikes mix it up: wildflower-strewn trails, dramatic gorges, and forest paths that feel straight out of a myth. It’s not just about walking; it’s about diving into Crete’s rich culture, from mountain villages to local tavernas. Even the rest days are packed with options—hit the beach or wander Europe’s southernmost town. It’s the kind of adventure that lets you truly feel the island, so grab your boots and let’s make this week one for the books!

Angela Sturmayr
Angela Sturmayr

Adventure highlights

  • Sea breeze and mountain ease
    Balance your hikes with time by the coast and in the mountains, soaking up Crete's diverse landscapes
  • A-maze-ing Minoan paths
    Wander ancient trails that lead to secrets from Crete’s past—minus the Minotaur
  • Cultural and gastronomic immersion
    Dive deep into Crete’s culture and gastronomy with village visits, authentic meals, and a chance to catch some live Cretan music in a taverna

Itinerary

Join us for an unforgettable all-women walking tour in Crete, where stunning landscapes meet rich culture! We’ll hike through picturesque mountain villages, lush gorges, and vibrant wildflower trails. Later on, it’s time to enjoy leisurely strolls, from the ancient paths of Mithi to the serene coastal views of Mirtos. Each evening, we’ll unwind in charming tavernas, indulging in delicious local cuisine and soaking up the lively atmosphere. With opportunities to connect with the local community and experience their music and traditions, this trip promises not just stunning views but also a taste of authentic Cretan life. Come for the hikes, stay for the flavors—adventure awaits in the heart of Crete!

  • The transfer to Mirtos will be waiting for us at the airport around 3pm. We’ll settle into our accommodation, and then have an orientation walk through the village and a welcome dinner in a taverna in Mirtos.

    Meals: Dinner
    Accommodation: Studio or apartment in Mirtos

    Mirtos panoramic view
  • This walk in the region of Anatoli, a mountain village above Mirtos, leads through a beautiful landscape with special rock formations and great views to both sides of the island. We’ll walk on a dirt road which becomes an easy mountain path to the peak of Estavronmenos. In the evening, we’ll have dinner in a taverna in Mirtos.

    Meals: Breakfast, dinner
    Hiking time: 3.5 hours
    Elevation: 300 m / 984 ft
    Accommodation: Studio or apartment in Mirtos

    Church in Mirtos
  • Only 5 km behind Mirtos is the village of Mithi, located in a beautiful landscape. We’ll start to ascend from there via an old footpath, and continue later at a dirt track towards the shepherd’s settlement Karidi and Agia Marina. After a rest, we’ll descend back to Mithi on another footpath. It is an old mountainous footpath uphill with some dirt tracks along the route. Fairly steady underfoot.

    Meals: Breakfast, dinner
    Hiking time: 5 hours
    Elevation: 500 m / 1,640 ft
    Accommodation: Studio or apartment in Mirtos

    Hills over Mirtos village
  • Today’s tour brings us quite a bit east of Mirtos to the picturesque mountain village of Pefki. An old path leads us along the scenic Pefki Gorge. After a short descent with great views of the south coast, we will walk back through the gorge to the village.

    The path begins as an old footpath which becomes a dirt track to the beginning of the gorge. The path above the gorge is an easy walk but care is needed while going downhill, which is steep and stony. Poles would be needed for those who use them. There’s a meal waiting for us in a local taverna at the end of the walk, where we will be spoiled with delicious local dishes. Evening is free.

    Meals: Breakfast, dinner
    Hiking time: 3 hours
    Elevation: 350 m / 1,148 ft
    Accommodation: Studio or apartment in Mirtos

    Pefki Gorge in Crete
  • On day 5, there’s a chance to spend some hours at the beach of Mirtos, just a few minutes on foot from the accommodation. Another option is to go to Ierapetra to visit the weekly farmers’ market and to explore the southernmost town of Europe.

    Meals: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Studio or apartment in Mirtos

    Monastery in Ierapetra
  • Today’s walk consists of 1.5 hours of steep uphill hiking, with the rest of the route on forest paths back to the village. It’s a circular walk in the forest region at the south side of the Dikti Mountain range. A steep path leads up to a viewpoint with great views over the surrounding villages and the sea. We’ll continue along dirt tracks through the pine tree forest, pass an archaeological site, and return via an almost-abandoned settlement back to the starting point.

    We’ll have an early evening meal in taverna Aphrodite in Kato Simi with delicious local dishes. The rest of the evening is free to do whatever we want.

    Meals: Breakfast, dinner
    Hiking time: 4 hours
    Elevation: 400 m / 1,312 ft
    Accommodation: Studio or apartment in Mirtos

    Aerial view of a landscape in Crete
  • Day 7 is reserved for a beautiful circular walk on easy dirt tracks from village to village along an old vineyard hill, with fantastic views to the north coast and the Cretan sea. In the evening, we’ll have a final dinner together and say our farewells.

    Meals: Breakfast, dinner
    Hiking time: 3 hours
    Elevation: 250 m / 820 ft
    Accommodation: Studio or apartment in Mirtos

    Hiking in Crete with sea in the background
  • After breakfast, we’ll depart for the airport in Heraklion. Make sure to book your flights after 2pm.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Departure in Heraklion
Adventure brochure
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Meet your guides

Angela Sturmayr
5.00
Angela Sturmayr
Originally from Austria, Angela has lived on Crete since the mid-80s, and she’s always thought of Crete as her second home country. She knows everything about Greek society and its customs, as well as the history and culture of the island. Cretan wild flowers and herbs are her passion. Her experience in different branches of tourism has taught her to provide her guests with a high standard of services. Angela is a licensed mountain walking guide and a member of the Austrian guide association. She speaks German, Greek, Dutch and English fluently.
Walking Women
5.00
Walking Women
Sisters Sara and Ginny, the owners of Walking Women, are passionate about sharing their love for walking and having fantastic experiences with friends and family. Walking Women’s mission is to provide a safe space for women to explore and venture together. Their focus is always on supporting local communities and prioritizing women-led businesses as their partners and suppliers.

Food and accommodation

5.00 (3 reviews)
Carol Mayoh (source: Google Reviews)

A really great holiday in Crete. All the organisation was seamless, interesting and enjoyable.

Lyn Romeo (source: Google Reviews)

I have throughly enjoyed my holidays with Walking Women ! Well organised and responsive and always lovely warm and inclusive groups. The fab accommodation and wonderful places ensure that I will be booking regular trips with them.

Carolyn Hallam (source: Google Reviews)

A wonderful holiday with walking women, I wouldn’t hesitate to go again. Extremely well organised from start to finish.

Things to know

  • What you get on this adventure:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 8-day all-women hiking tour in Crete (5 days of hiking)
      • 7 nights in your own en-suite studio/apartment with kitchen facilities
      • Breakfast provided for you each morning at Mertiza Apartments
      • Evening meals in local restaurants for 6 nights
      • Airport transfer to and from Heraklion
      • All local transports required for walks

    What’s not included:

      • Meals not included in the itinerary
      • Entry tickets/parking
      • Guide gratuities — optional
      • Travel and medical insurance — mandatory
      • Additional drinks
      • Airport transfer outside the predetermined time (possible to arrange for a fee, let us know in advance)
      • Any excursions not on the itinerary
  • For this all-women Crete walking tour, you’ll be walking for 3-5 hours each day of hiking, and gaining no more than 500 m / 1,640 ft of elevation. The trip is rated moderate, and there will be no scary ridges. Paths could be perfect, but they can also be rocky. Good fitness and flexibility is required for this hiking adventure.

    For more hiking adventures in Greece, click here!

  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

      • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
      • Hiking poles — optional
      • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
      • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
      • Comfortable hiking clothes
      • Spare clothes for layering
      • Waterproof rain jacket
      • Sunhat
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Headlamp or flashlight
      • Sunglasses
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

  • Group sizes and pricing

      • For this all-women Crete walking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 12:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
      • The price of the tour is based on solo occupancy. If you choose to share a room with a partner/friend, the price of the tour goes down by $300 per person—you can choose this upon checkout.

    Hiking in Greece can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • The starting point of your all-women Crete walking tour is Mirtos. To get there, most people fly into Heraklion Airport. There will be a group transport from the airport to Mirtos arranged in the afternoon of arrival day. Additional transfers can be arranged for an extra cost of 120 EUR (130 USD) for the taxi (up to 4 people) for a one way transfer to Mirtos.

    Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at a predetermined time in a predetermined location. Your guides will provide all the necessary info before the trip starts.

    The transfer for your departure will leave after breakfast on Day 8, so make sure to book your return flight for after 2pm.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

    Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

    Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • Deposits

    You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

    Basic

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Super Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
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