Walking in Crete

The adventure begins in Chania, a historic port city with a 14th-century Venetian harbour and atmospheric old town. If there's time, we can enjoy an orientation tour, visiting the old harbour to see the Venetian lighthouse; the renovated Grand Arsenal, an ancient shipyard in honey-coloured stone; the Splanzia ruins; and Kum Kapi beach. There's a welcome briefing this evening followed by an optional dinner together (if the flight timings permit), a great chance to get to know each other a little better. Stay: Arkadi Hotel (or similar).

We transfer (1hr 30min) to the coastal town of Paleochora, where we begin our first hike. Our adventure takes us east along a seaside route – part of the European E4 trail – to the village of Sougia, initially tracking a paved path before taking us to Anydri beach after a few minutes. We ease into things with a gentle first half of the hike; after around 5mi (8km), we begin an ascent to the ancient city of Lissos, once a hydrotherapy hub that bloomed in the Hellenic, Roman and Byzantine eras.

Here, we visit a well-preserved temple with a floor mosaic dedicated to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine, and take a small loop around the city. We enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea and our boxed lunch, before catching a boat transfer to Sougia beach, where we have time for a quick break for coffee, juice or a beer at a beach-side canteen. We then transfer to our hotel for the night, where we have dinner and put our feet up. Stay: Neos Omalos Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).

Today we tackle the UNESCO-listed Samaria Gorge, a 10mi (16km) long chasm running through the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea. We begin with a 10-minute transfer to the starting point, before setting out on what must be one of the most spectacular walks in Greece. Along the way, we navigate pine, cypress and holly forests, pass 22 freshwater springs, and cut through abandoned villages and churches.

The sheer gorge walls expand and contract as we go, stretching to 490ft (150m) at their widest but squeezing to just 10ft (3m) in the tightest sections. Our downhill route crosses a river several times (over wooden bridges or rock hopping) but it is not a technical or difficult hike, plus we stop for a boxed lunch. Our goal is Agia Roumeli beach, where we stay the night – our luggage is transferred to the hotel for us.

Upon arrival and after check-in, we have time to relax and enjoy a sea swim before a group dinner. Stay: Calypso Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).

Post breakfast, we check out and begin today's walk from Agia Roumeli beach, which takes us along the southern coastline. Our goal is the tiny seaside village of Loutro, an all-white bundle of buildings backed by rocky mountains and a contender for the most beautiful settlement in Crete. Our route takes us along the coast, through the beach, past the 10th-century Byzantine chapel of Agios Pavlos and to Marmara beach. It's then a 2mi (3. 5km) hike to Loutro (with some steep climbing), though you can hop in a private boat taxi (additional cost) if you'd prefer. We also stop for a light lunch today. Stay: Kyma (or similar) (B/L/D).

We bid a fond farewell to Loutro this morning, hopping on an approximately 20-minute ferry to Chora Sfakion, where we jump into a transfer (1hr 30min) to our starting point for today's hike: the 18th-century Preveli Bridge. From here, we walk through olive groves to the renovated ruins of Preveli Monastery, before following a trail towards Preveli Beach, enjoying views of the Megalopotamos river and the mighty cliffs of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge as we go. After around 2. 5mi (4km), we reach the palm-forested beach.

The hike is a little hilly and includes 450 steps down to the shore, followed by a steep climb. We have time to recuperate after, perhaps with a swim in the Libyan Sea. After, we head to a local olive oil farm for a tour and tasting experience, before transferring to Rethymno, where we spend the next two nights. Stay: Menta City Boutique Hotel (or similar) (B/L).

Our hike today is a culture-soaked adventure. It starts in the once-powerful ancient Greek city of Eleftherna, now a small village, where we admire the Byzantine tower at the city entrance, the Roman reservoirs and tunnels, the acropolis, and the Hellenic bridge, before visiting the Museum of Ancient Eleutherna . Then, after a countryside walk, we visit the pottery village of Margarites, where we can visit ceramic workshops and learn about a pottery tradition stretching to the Minoan period. We also enjoy a traditional taverna lunch here. Journey back to Rethymno in the afternoon, where we have free time to relax and explore. Stay: Menta City Boutique Hotel (or similar) (B).

Enjoy a circular village walk this morning – our last hike in Crete! Transferring (30 minutes) to Stylos, we set off on our adventure, visiting the pretty villages of Paidochori, Neo Chorio, Diktamo and Machairon. After lunch, which can be taken at a traditional taverna, we head to the lesser-known archaeological site of Aptera, which was once one of the most significant city-states in Crete. Its inhabitants were skilful archers and fought as mercenaries to bring wealth to their land. Return to Chania in the early evening for our farewell dinner, an excellent chance to swap numbers and toast our adventure. Stay: Arkadi Hotel (or similar) (B/D).

Our trip ends today after breakfast. Depending on when you wake up, you may have time for one last wander around the beautiful city of Chania before you begin your return journey home (B).