10 Gorge Hikes in Rethymno, In Order of What They Give Back

1.From Chania/Rethymno: Samariá Gorge Guided Hike with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,010 reviews · 1 day · from $37Our pick

Join an English-speaking guide such as Ingrid, Nikos, or George for a full-day Samaria Gorge hike from Chania or Rethymno. Walk about 16 kilometers through the White Mountains, pass the Iron Gates, swim in Agia Roumeli, then take the ferry to Sougia before riding back by coach. Expect an early start, rough ground, and a long day.

“This was an amazing hike, super easy with the hostel pick up/drop off. It was pretty busy at the start but not too bad if you get ahead of the crowds. We finished in about 3.5hrs and the ferry didn’t leave until 5pm, so we spent a while at the end - but there was a cute town and nice beach so no complaints! Would recommend.”

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2.Sarakina Gorge, Forests, and South Coast Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 138 reviews · from $111

Ride in a small-group orange Land Rover through Crete’s inland roads, stopping for olive oil tasting, Kritsa, Kroustas Forest, a traditional taverna lunch, Sarakina Gorge, and a south-coast swim. Guides such as George, Michael, Panos, and Fabrice lead the day in several languages. Bring sturdy hiking shoes for the rocky gorge.

“Excellent day. The views throughout where gorgeous. Our guide Michael was very nice and knowledgeable, good driver. The Land Rover was comfortable. The stop for lunch was delicious and in a beautiful setting. The gorge is breathtaking. There definitely is rock scramble, and parts that require use of rope to help get up the rocks. Good sturdy hiking shoes are a must. The beach was nice, and the time for swim after the hike was lovely. One negative was there was confusion with my hotel pick up, as my hotel has 2 entrances and I was standing at reception and where the guide was waiting I couldn't see the vehicle.…”

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3.Samariá Gorge Full-Day Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 129 reviews · 12 hours · from $37

Join an English-speaking guide such as Maria or Leonidas for a demanding 16-kilometer walk through Samariá Gorge. You’ll see springs, cliffs, forests, Kri-Kri country, and the Iron Gates, then swim in Agia Roumeli before the ferry to Sougia. The $37 price excludes the €5 park entry and €14 boat ticket.

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4.Kourtaliotiko Gorge: Guided River Adventure Trek with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 106 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $112

Join guides Panos or Alkis for a 4.5-hour small-group trek through Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Swim to a waterfall, walk in clear river water, jump into natural pools, and finish with Greek tapas and a beer at the Banana Garden. Wetsuits, helmets, poles, and a waterproof backpack are included.

“Nice guide. Including everyone and very nice Beatifull landscape”

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5.Sarakina Gorge, Kritza, Oliveoil Tasting, Mountains, South Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $119Top rated

Ride a climate-controlled Land Rover into Crete’s mountains, taste local olive oils, visit Kritsa, scramble through Sarakina Gorge, eat a full village lunch, and swim at Myrtos. Guides such as George, Petra, Michael, Rolf, and Thomas have led this outing, which runs about 6 to 8 hours from eastern Crete.

“Wow what a day in Rhodes with our guide Gaetan ! I won’t explain what was included or not as the description of the tour is clear but I can tell you we had an incredible day touring parts of Rhodes that you won’t do by yourself for sure. Gaetan was fun, smart and very knowledgeable ! We had the chance to be in area where the views where breathtaking and had enough free time to tour small villages by our own ! We would really have missed the best of Rhodes without this tour ! Superbe tour guidé avec Gaetan qui a été un guide vraiment intéressant et une…”

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6.Kourtaliotiko Gorge River Trek with Lunch! Pick-up Avaliable

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 90 reviews · 5 hours · from $112

Follow an English-speaking guide through Kourtaliotiko Gorge in a small group of up to 10. You’ll swim to a large waterfall, wade through river pools, and walk beneath plane trees for about two hours. Neoprene suits, helmets, poles, waterproof phone cases, transfers, and a light meal at Banana Garden are included.

“It was truly an awesome experience from the very start to the end. The guide was well organised and helped walking through more challenging spots in the river. Also told a lot about Crete and the place where we were walking. The views were breathtaking. At the end we had lunch at banana garden where we also got a chance to walk around with the garden owner and see lots of plants/trees. Thanks very much for such a great experience. It was well worth it!”

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7.Kourtaliotiko Gorge: Snorkel Trip to the Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 56 reviews · 4 hours · from $106

From Dive2gether in Plakias, you’ll ride to Kourtaliotiko Gorge, descend more than 350 steps, then walk and snorkel through cold spring water toward the waterfalls. A wetsuit keeps you warm, guides Rutger, Kilian, or Stefan may lead the trip, and fresh fruit follows the swim.

“Great trip, we had a great guide, professional, friendly. They equip you with a full wetsuit, which turned out to be really great in the cold water. I would always choose this team, the trip was worth all the money and the long drive from Kissamos to Plakias. Thank you, best regards from Slovenia, Marino and Jasmina.”

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8.South Crete: Sarakinas Gorge Hike, Swim & Jeep Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 39 reviews · 8.5 - 9 hours · from $108

Spend 8.5 to 9 hours exploring southeast Crete by jeep, with stops in Kritsa, Katharo Plateau, Selakano Forest, Sarakinas Gorge, and Voulisma Beach. Guides such as Alex, Janis, and Zacharias bring local stories, food, and island knowledge to the route. A meal, hotel pickup, and drop-off are included.

“Tolle Tour, super sympathischer Guide, viele interessante Infos über die Insel, gute Gruppengrösse - ein wirklich schöner Urlaubstag 👍👍👍”

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9.Canyoning Tour in the Kourtaliotiko Gorge

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 38 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $141

Meet the Eco Events team in Koxare, gear up in a neoprene suit, then follow your English-speaking instructors into Kourtaliotiko Gorge. You’ll rappel beside a waterfall, jump into clear spring water, swim, and walk the riverbed toward the Fairy Cave. Bring shoes you can soak, dry clothes, sunscreen, and the height, weight, and age of every participant.

“Leuke en spannende ervaring. Had alleen graag wat meer sprongen gedaan.”

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10.Kourtaliotiko Gorge: Guided River Trekking with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 5 hours · from $112

Join Cretan Explorer for a five-hour guided river trek through Kourtaliotiko Gorge near Rethymno. You’ll swim into the cave behind the Great Waterfall, follow quiet river paths, use provided safety gear, and finish with food and refreshments at Banana Garden. Guides including Manolis and Alkis lead the route in several languages.

“very enjoyable experience!!! the guide was so professional and funny! Manolis is so kind, after the trekking we had a nice rest with delicious drink and food included! we suggest to try this wild but very safe experience!!!”

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