Six days in Crete with Tribal Tracks: The Sea to Summit Challenge.

Crete offers a unique trekking experience with rugged landscapes, a rich history, and a vibrant culture. You'll explore mixed terrain while walking along pristine coastlines and towering mountains.

We will embark on our journey by trekking along the coastline towards Loutro. The area was previously a lair for pirates who attacked passing ships. The only modes of access to Loutro are by foot or boat. We will then ascend into the highlands of the Sfakia and hike for several miles through the Aradena Gorge until we reach the village of Aradena, which was once abandoned. During the course of the day, we will come across ancient ruins, Venetian fortresses, and Byzantine churches while being surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

The next day (where our header image was taken), we will walk approximately 10 km. It is an exciting route with a few tricky sections, including some scrambling. It's quite an exposed route, so don't forget your sunhat. We'll finish at Agia Roumeli. — one of the wildest regions of Crete with some of the rarest flora, fauna, and geology. We'll feel a sense of both tranquility and adventure and can relax on the fine pebbles admiring the crystal clear Libyan sea.

Onwards to the famously breathtaking 16km long Samaria Gorge, characterised by its towering limestone cliffs. We will walk (mostly uphill) the entire length of it, admiring the rich variety of flora and fauna and through what is known as the 'Iron Gates' — the narrowest point of the gorge between cliffs that tower over 300m tall. We finish at Xiloskalo, near Omalos.

Despite a day of ascent yesterday, we're not stopping there. We're pushing on to 2080m above sea level — the summit of Mount Gingilos (aka Gygilo or Gigilos). We will be treated to panoramic views of the White Mountains and the Libyan Sea, noticing the change in scenery from lush valleys to rugged cliffs as we ascend. We'll discover flora and fauna endemic to the White Mountains such as the rock-loving Cretan dittany, said to have healing properties. At the top, we'll relish the breathtaking views of the rugged Cretan landscape.

On our final day, depending on our flight times, we will have a chance to explore the picturesque city of Chania, steeped in maritime history and includes the stunning Venetian harbor lined with colorful buildings and traders.

This exceptional adventure is available for private groups looking for a challenge or for teams who want to raise sponsorship money for their chosen charity. Although it is in Greece, a country familiar to many of us and relatively close to home, it's not a walk in the park—it's a challenging trek that you will have to prepare for. You can be truly proud of your achievement afterwards.

Email us