The range of walking opportunities in the glorious hills and gorges of Western Crete is simply incomparable. Hiking trails are quiet at this time, the weather is absolutely beautiful and not too hot, and the company is excellent. We run one-week walking packages exclusively for single holiday makers in Spring and Autumn. Both are particularly stunning times to enjoy the flora and fauna of one of the biggest island in the Mediterranean.
| Standard room | Deluxe room | |
| Spring walking tour
06 – 13 May 2025 |
sold out | €1907 (£1,614) |
| Autumn walking tour
21 – 28 October 2025 20 – 27 October 2026 |
€1,739 (£1,472) | €1907 (£1,614) |
All Club Mistral* members are entitled to a 5% discount on accommodation. The price does not include flights or travel insurance.
*Club Mistral membership is free and open for all visitors to this page to join here.
Crete is a beautiful island and there is no better way to experience the wonderful flora, fauna and stunning scenery than on foot, in the company of like-minded people. Our Crete walking days are classed from easy to moderate and range from 2 to 5 hours. Some involve a degree of rocky terrain so walking shoes/boots are essential. All walks are led by an experienced guide and rest stops are schedule as needed. Provided you are reasonably fit you should have no problems at the start of the week. By the end of the week you’ll feel even fitter!
Further to requests from regular guests we will wherever possible offer the chance to walk the Samaria Gorge. Quite simply this is one of the great walks of the world – it’s 5 hours, all mostly downhill, but when you get to the other end you get such an amazing sense of achievement and that first drink in one of the local bars is wonderful. Luckily, we don’t need to walk out – we get a boat back to our road transport. It’s worth noting that the terrain is fairly challenging, but the times of year we walk are not too hot. For those walkers who feel this might be a ‘trek to far’ we can organise something more gentle. Also be aware that of all out planned walks this is the most vulnerable to inclement weather conditions.
WONDERFUL TERRAIN, WONDERFUL FLORA AND FAUNA
During our walks you will learn about the culture, history, myths and legends of the Real Crete and be able to feel the genuine “filoxenia” (hospitality) of the local people. You will see and smell the aromatic wild herbs and plants of the White Mountains such as thyme, oregano, chamomile, Cretan dittany, and marjoram. There will also be many native buzzards, vultures and migrating birds to watch.
Come and join our Spring walking week and you’ll be simply amazed at the spring flowers that cascade across and carpet our hills and valleys. If you love your gardening it’s an absolute horticulturist’s delight. It gives a whole new meaning to ‘full of the joys of spring!’
Late summer and early autumn tend to be something of a moveable feast in Crete, partly depending how high you go and how far from the sea you are. The sun is lower, bouncing off the ocean, and the colours are magnificent. Really and truly, to see Crete in its raiment of natural glory, you need to come at least twice – once early, once late.
Nopigia – Ravdouha (Moderate/Difficult – 3 hours)
A stunning coastal walk along the Rotherpou Peninsular starting from the ancient village of Nopigia and ascending to great heights overlooking the Kissamos Bay. This circular walk finishes in the traditional village of Ravdouha for lunch.
Gouverneto Monastery (Moderate – 3 hours)
This walk starting at the 16th Century Gouverneto Monastery on the Akrotiri peninsular follows an ancient path originally traced by an 11th Century hermit who founded the island’s earliest monastery. From an elevated position, there is a steep descent firstly to a cave dedicated to Panagia Arkoudiotissa with a huge bear shaped stalagmite at its centre. Then a further walk down to the ruins of Katholikou Monastery built into the escarpment.
Anidri Gorge to Paleochora (Easy/Moderate 3 hours)
Starting from the tiny village of Anidri, this gorge may not be impressively high or with vertical walls but it forms part of a diverse ecosystem and is ideal to observe Cretan nature. The gorge finishes at the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea where you will continue the trail along the shore to Paleochora.
Agia Irini Gorge (Moderate/Difficult – 4 hours)
West of Samaria is the gorge of Agia Irini which makes up part of the world famous E4 European Walking Path. We drive for around an hour to reach the entrance to the gorge which has high mountains on both sides and rocky terrain. Vegetation consists of plane trees, pine and cypress trees and many different wild herbs and spices.
Deliana Gorge (Easy – 2 hours)
Deliana gorge provides another very scenic walk and is not too strenous. You walk downhill surrounded by towering cliffs on either side with Hawks and Griffon Vultures wheeling overhead. A tiny church in a clearing provides a resting place at the bottom of the gorge before the track levels out and ends in the village of Deliana.
Sirikari Gorge (Moderate – 2.5 hours)
The valley floor of this rocky gorge is full of lush vegetation. Steep cliffs surround us on this gentle walk which finishes at the Archaeological site of Polyrheneia, an ancient city dating from 300BC.
Elafonissi to Paleochora (Moderate/Difficult – 4 hours)
This beautiful coastal walk follows the turquoise sea and sandy beaches on the south west coast of Crete. There are plenty of opportunites to enjoy the flora and fauna during the walk which ends at a famous beach where you can swim.
The restored village of Milia (Easy/Moderate – 3 hours)
Milia is a lovely little village up in the hills where all local produce is organic and you can sample the wonderful food and local wine provided by the taverna. You may stop to look at a tiny whitewashed Byzantine church before the walk downhill through the flower-filled chestnut and olive groves.
Great hotel – my room was beautiful and well fitted out
Great food – we all ate breakfast and dinner in the hotel and the food was delicious and plentiful
Great people – friendly, helpful and efficient staff
I was on a walking week- while some of the walks had quite challenging terrain they were well organised and included excellent lunches
I’d certainly recommend to my friends!
My friend had visited The Mistral Hotel several years ago and highly recommended this hotel to me. Guests were met at the airport and checked in very quickly. my double rooms was immaculately clean, both comfortable and spacious. It was good to have a kettle and tea/coffee/milk provisions could be topped up as and when required.
Staff were all extremely helpful, kind and considerate. Anja answered any questions and offered advice.
The holiday included four days of walking with all walks classed as ‘moderate’. Some folks found them rather tricky, others didn’t.
Food and wine were plentiful and all enjoyab
My friend had visited The Mistral Hotel several years ago and highly recommended this hotel to me. Guests were met at the airport and checked in very quickly. my double rooms was immaculately clean, both comfortable and spacious. It was good to have a kettle and tea/coffee/milk provisions could be topped up as and when required.
Staff were all extremely helpful, kind and considerate. Anja answered any questions and offered advice.
The holiday included four days of walking with all walks classed as ‘moderate’. Some folks found them rather tricky, others didn’t.
Food and wine were plentiful and all enjoyable (except the snails!) both at the hotel and at the different lunchtime venues.
Have just returned from my umpteenth stay at the Mistral. As always everything was wonderful, family and staff make you feel welcome, and food and wine are excellent. You can join in the many activities on offer, visit local towns for a bit of retail therapy or just chill by one of the pools, the choice is yours. Make new friends or catch up with old ones, this is the place to do it. I booked especially for the walking week, and it was brilliant. Seasoned walkers and keen amateurs, like myself, gelled very quickly and enjoyed each walk with enthusiasm and laughter, with a wonderful lunch at the end, unforgettable.
The spectacular walks took us through deep mountain gorges and passes. The energy of these places simply has to be experienced, with all your senses. The mountains were only matched by the stunning coastal walk, where we were guided to a traditional fishing village, only accessible by boat or on foot!
Then there was the unexpected element; the food! At each location, we were treated to authentic Cretan cuisine. At every location, the food was different and glorious. Fruits from around the world were a special treat at the Botanic Garden Restaurant. Each lunch was a feast; the tables bursting with amazing, and seemingly endless supply
The spectacular walks took us through deep mountain gorges and passes. The energy of these places simply has to be experienced, with all your senses. The mountains were only matched by the stunning coastal walk, where we were guided to a traditional fishing village, only accessible by boat or on foot!
Then there was the unexpected element; the food! At each location, we were treated to authentic Cretan cuisine. At every location, the food was different and glorious. Fruits from around the world were a special treat at the Botanic Garden Restaurant. Each lunch was a feast; the tables bursting with amazing, and seemingly endless supply, of fresh local food.
A member of the Hotel family – they are not staff- accompanied us at every step. They were there at every stunning turn in the path. They were there when we encountered the local animals; the goat standing on a high branch of a tree was a particular entertaining spectacle.
And here is something completely unexpected. When I paid the extra for the walking week, I had no idea that the culinary experiences were included in the price! Seriously! Banquets of fresh gorgeous food, local generosity, delightful long lunches, surrounded by great company and beauty, all included!
Go on the Walking Week only if you wish to experience amazing scenery, kindness and genuine Cretan generosity.
A very enjoyable walking holiday, interspersed with relaxation. The scenery was stunning and our walking group was fun and convivial. This was my second time staying at the Mistral and standards remain high. Great rooms, excellent food and fantastic staff. You can’t help but feel welcomed!
The Walking week in October at Mistral Hotel was delightful in all senses of the word. Welcoming staff, comfortable hotel and room, perfect walking weather at 25C to 28C all week (apart from a shower one evening), varied, breathtaking scenic walks on 4 of the 7 days. And then there is the food….! Wonderful Cretan food and wine: consumed at lunchtime at a local taverna after each of the walks, and then (home-grown and home-made) with a friendly group of ‘guest walkers’ gathered for convivial dinners in the hotel each evening. Now I have discovered Mistral, I will be returning, either for another walking week, or one of the other t
The Walking week in October at Mistral Hotel was delightful in all senses of the word. Welcoming staff, comfortable hotel and room, perfect walking weather at 25C to 28C all week (apart from a shower one evening), varied, breathtaking scenic walks on 4 of the 7 days. And then there is the food….! Wonderful Cretan food and wine: consumed at lunchtime at a local taverna after each of the walks, and then (home-grown and home-made) with a friendly group of ‘guest walkers’ gathered for convivial dinners in the hotel each evening. Now I have discovered Mistral, I will be returning, either for another walking week, or one of the other themed weeks that are on offer.
This was my 2nd Walking Week at the Mistral. October is a good time to walk weather wise. Beautiful walks and sights followed by delicious long lunches with locally made produce and wines. Plenty of time to relax by the pool if that’s your wish. All the staff are very friendly and just wanting you to have an enjoyable holiday. Thankyou again Mistral!
