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What Makes Crete Special
Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands, covering an area of 3,219 square miles. Its mountainous terrain makes Crete walks a popular activity, and the White Mountains (covered in snow until mid summer) afford spectacular views. Walking in Crete is great at any time of year, with plateaus such as Lasithi, Omalos and Nidha, the Diktaion and Idaion caves, and a number of gorges making for diverse scenery. But it is in spring that this island truly shines, when the already spectacular views become covered in wild flowers.
Plan for Easter
For Cretans, Easter is a grand celebration, and if you're planning a springtime trip to Crete, the week of Easter is a good time to go. After fasting for 40 days (as is the Cretan tradition), the local people will be preparing to feast and celebrate when Easter comes.
Spit-roasted lamb is prepared over the fire for over 6 hours, as it is cooked to live up to traditional Greek standards. And working off your Easter feast will be easy, with the idea of a Crete walk being so appealing in your beautiful surroundings! Most villages will have an Easter fire, and the churches will be decorated with wild spring flowers.
Floral Wanders
Walking in Crete truly is spectacular in springtime, with over 2 000 species of flowers in bloom, 150 of them being endemic. The whole island appears to blossom, with the mountains, plains, woods and even the seashore being covered in wild flowers. Poppies, daisies, irises, tulips, orchids and hyacinths (to name but a few), will line your path as you wander the countryside on your Crete walks. And herbs such as thyme, sage and rosemary will scent the air.
Cretan Countryside
There is no shortage of scenic spots on the island, with diverse landscapes allowing for different levels of walking in Crete. Chania, in the western region of the island, is particularly beautiful in spring and boasts exceptional scenery. The Samaria Gorge is located here, and it opens for visitors at the beginning of May.
The gorge is 16km in length, with vertical cliffs reaching 500m. Covering the gorge are rare types of Cretan flora, with the cypress, pine tree, dittany and wild flower found in this area. This gorge is also the natural habitat of the wild goat and kri kri, adding beauty and interest to your experience of walking in Crete.
Other gorges worth visiting in the area are the gorges of Agia Irene, Stakia and Topolia. Agia Irene is rich in vegetation, and Topolia is magnificently wild. Both offer great views of the wild flowers, and are beautiful in springtime.
On a Crete walk, you can also explore the many caves that dot the shoreline, or visit the Kentis Valley where you can wander through the orange and lemon groves. A highlight of the area is sure to be the White Mountains (so named for their almost permanent snowy tops), where a very rocky landscape is covered in low bushes and wildflowers with a backdrop of snowy peaks.
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. They are dedicated to providing the very finest holidays walking in Crete at the best value prices.
