Walking In East Crete
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Destination
Africa -
Language
French -
Type
Family Trip
Explore this remote region of Lasithi, its karst limestone shoreline boasting an array of ancient fossils caves and gorges.
The island is also the setting for an ancient walking trail, the challenging Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples and the full walk covers more than a thousand kilometers.
There are also some ancient archaeological sites, such as Zakros’ Minoan palace or abandoned village of Hamètoulo, turning this coast into a sun-drenched museum.
A week of walking in East Crete, through the UNESCO Geopark of Sitìa which clings to the coast and, as well as having superb beaches, has the Zakros Mountains as backdrop.
Highlights
- Accommodation in hotels, Japanese-style inns (ryokan, minshuku). Japanese-style accommodation will generally be in tatami-mat rooms
- 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners
- Individual return train tickets from Kyoto/Osaka to Shikoku
- Individual train tickets for intermediate train journeys along the Shikoku 88 trail
- A pre-booked and pre-paid taxi on Day 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8
- Detailed day-to-day itinerary and walking directions along with Topographical maps
What's Included
- Bus transport from and to Oslo
- 5 nights accommodation
- Breakfasts, packed lunches and five dinners
- Detailed tour description
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Tour Plan
After breakfast, you are transferred to Glengoyne Distillery for a tour and tasting session. You are then transferred to Drymen to begin your walk on the West Highland Way, taking in views over Loch Lomond from the top of Conic Hill before descending into Balmaha for your evening stay.
- Accommodation: Westcord Fashion Hotel or similar
- Optional hotel upgrade: Westcord Art
Your walk today takes you along the east side of Loch Lomond, clinging to the water’s edge along much of the way. This is a lovely, low level and relaxed stage as it meanders past pebbly beaches and giving you plenty of time to take in the surrounding scenery and wildlife.
- Cycling for the day: 53km
- Accommodation: Hotel Lion d’Or or similar
- Optional hotel upgrade: Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg in Santpoort-Noord (includes dinner)
From Rowardennan, the path heads into thick woodland. There are two options here: the easier being the wide forest track which follows the contours up and down the hill; or the more time consuming, narrow path which skirts over rocks and exposed tree roots along the banks of the loch. The rocky and uneven path continues along the loch, hugging the water’s edge amidst ancient oak forest. The loch becomes noticeably narrower as the path approaches Inverarnan.
- Cycling for the day: 38km
- Accommodation: Tulip-Inn Leiden Centre, Golden Tulip Leiden Centre, Fletcher Wellness Hotel or similar
Soon after leaving Inverarnan, the path runs alongside the picturesque, fast-flowing River Falloch before a long stretch on an old military road. The route here closely follows the West Highland Line railway and eventually passes underneath the tracks as the path nears a coniferous forest. The route continues through the forest along a winding, undulating path, eventually crossing the road and River Fillin. Views of the surrounding mountains are wonderful. A well-maintained path follows the River Cononish before reaching Tyndrum.
- Cycling for the day: 63km
- Accommodation: Westcord Fashion Hotel or similar
- Optional hotel upgrade: Westcord Art
Take a steep serpentine path up to the village of Anopolis, from there walk to ancient Aradena, situated at the edge of the impressive Aradena Gorge. A scenic path goes down into the Aradena Gorge all the way to the coast. The last part of today’s walk takes you along the coast back to Loutro. A shorter route today is possible via the tiny village of Livaniana and then descending through the Aradena Gorge to the sea. Depending on your flight time on the following day, you may need to travel back to Chora Sfakion by ferry today, and on to Chania or Heraklion.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 4h, max ↑840m ↓840m
- Accommodation: Kyma Hotel or similar Loutro
