Crete, E4-European Long Distance Walking Paths

Crete | E4-European Long Distance Walking Paths - Trekking & Hiking in Crete

http://www.completely-crete.com/E4-path.html



Walking & Hiking in Crete

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 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.

http://www.cretetravel.com/Activities/E4_walking_path.htm

http://www.completely-crete.com/E4-path.html

The E4 Path offers lots of walking holiday opportunities on the Greek Island of Crete from gentle walks to very challenging hiking routes...

For those who like hiking, trekking, biking and walking and are up for a challenge then maybe the E4 European Long Distance Path, or at least part of it, will be right for you.

There is one large trekking or hiking route on the Greek Island of Crete, which is part of the E4 European Long Distance Path. The E4 trail covers the White Mountains (Lefki Ori), Mount Psiloritis (Mount Ida) and the Mount Dikti. The E4 Path is 320 km long.
It begins at Kastelli in the west of Crete and crosses along the whole Island reaching Kato Zakros in the east where it ends.

The E4 Path route is quite varied and can range from what amounts to simple walking on smooth asphalt roads to some hefty hiking in rugged gorges, right up to some real mountain trekking.
In parts the E4 Path is very overgrown, difficult to follow, and often not marked at all.

At Sougia, a small resort on the south coast, the E4 Path forks into two tracks, one along the coast, which is very rough, and one through the mountains. The tracks converge on the south coast near Frangokastello, but immediately branch out again into two sections.
Mountain Refuge Huts
Hikers and trekkers embarking upon the E4 trail need to think about pre-planning their accommodation. This applies in particular to the alpine leg of the E4 Path, when any proposed stay at a mountain refuge hut needs to be pre-arranged.


Don't forget to visit our Cretan Village Shop where you can buy a range of Crete books and maps of Crete. We stock a small handpicked collection of Crete books that are not available through Amazon and will be hard to find outside of Crete itself. They cover subjects such as Crete guide books and maps, the Samaria Gorge, Wild Flowers of Crete, Horta and the Cretan Diet cookery recipes.
We ship anywhere in the world, direct from our little Crete Village Shop!

http://www.completely-crete.com/village-shop.html

Here's some useful numbers and contact details:

The Mountaineering Club of Lasithi
Telephone 0030 28970 23230
Greek Association of Mountaineers Rethymnon
Telephone 0030 2831 057766 Email: eosrethymno@rethymnon.com
Mountaineering and Skiing Club Of Iraklion
Telephone 0030 812 27609 Email: myrto@her.forthnet.gr
Mountaineering Club Of Hania
Telephone 0030 821 74560.