Global Adventure - Hike the Greek Islands of Naxos, Santorini and Crete

Trip

Global Adventure - Hike the Greek Islands of Naxos, Santorini and Crete

Day-hike for a total of 7 days within this 14-day trip to three of the Greek Islands, accompanied by a local guide. Experience rich history, culture and breathtaking landscapes of these islands while hiking trails rated easy/moderate/challenging and carrying only daypacks, enjoying great food and relaxing in comfortable lodging at night. NOTE: The $2400 member fee given is the 50% deposit - the total cost of this adventure is $4800. For more detail on what is included, see Trip Price detail below. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BEFORE REGISTRATION OPENS ON FEBRUARY 15 - PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT LEADER PERMISSION REQUESTS!

  • Mon, Sep 22, 2025 — Sun, Oct 5, 2025
  • Global Adventures Committee
  • Day Hiking, Global Adventures
  • Adults
  • Strenuous
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 63.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 9,628 ft
  • Pace: 1.75-2 mph

Itinerary Highlights:   After arrival and overnighting in Athens on Day 1, participants may explore the city in the morning of Day 2 (there are many options for public tours if desired).  We will meet at the hotel at noon to taxi to the ferry terminal in Piraeus in time for the 3pm ferry to Naxos, arriving around 7:30pm, then transfer to the hotel and meet our guides for a welcome briefing. 

Day 3: We will hike from Chalki to the charming villages of Melanes and Potamia along cobbled paths via the Venetian Fortress, Ano Kastro and an ancient marble quarry where the Kouros statues can be viewed (9.4 mi/1646’). Optional cooking workshop possible in the late afternoon. 

 Day 4: We will hike from the village of Filoti, past the Cave of Zeus (which, according to Greek mythology, the god Zeus was said to have spent his childhood) to Mount Zas, the highest peak on Naxos at 3,294 feet with panoramic views of the island and the surrounding Aegean Sea. On the return, we pass a monastery and the village of Aparanthos where we can visit the Folklore Museum and Marble Village (8.6mi/2952’). 

 Day 5: Rest day or optional activities (such as a short walk to the Chrisostomos Monastery, the Temple of Demeter, the Olive Museum or sunset kayak tour).

Day 6:  We will explore Naxos Town, Castle and Archaeological Museum in the morning, then ferry to Santorini, passing through the submerged volcano crater which erupted 3,600 yrs ago.  There will be a visit to the Akrotiri Lighthouse in the evening for sunset views

Day 7:  Beginning in Fira, we first visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thira and the Archaeological Museum, then hike along the rim of the island’s caldera with stunning views of the Aegean Sea and volcanic islands, ending in Oia, famous for it’s blue-domed churches. (8.7 mi/1938’)  In the evening there will be an opportunity to experience a traditional “Greek Night” with food and live music. 

 Day 8:  From the black-sand beach town of Perissa, we will walk inland through the countryside to the Akrotiri archaeological site, often referred to as the "Minoan Pompeii." (8.3mi/2600’)

Day 9:  In the morning there is the option to rest or go for a round walk in Akrotiri (5 mi) before taking the afternoon (3pm) ferry to Heraklion, Crete.  After transferring to our hotel, we will meet our new guides for a trip briefing and dinner at a local tavern.  

Day 10: We will visit the archaeological Museum and Knossos Palace (remains of a Minoan city 3,500 yrs ago), and then transfer to Chania.  

Day 11:  We will take short walks to explore several monasteries and learn about the production of olive oil, wine, honey, vinegar and soap (approx. 6 miles). 

 Day 12:  Starting on the plateau of Omalos, we hike down through the Samaria Gorge, the largest gorge in Europe. Appearing on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it is a World Biosphere Reserve where wild goats (Kri-Kri) and griffon vultures live.  When we reach the village of Agia Roumeli we can enjoy a rest and swim (8.72mi/-3,600’)

Day 13:  We hike a coastal route past a Byzantine church, through forests with mountain views to the beautiful Marmara beach and on to the village of Loutro, with its blue and white houses (8.3 mi/492’).  

Day 14:  We transfer by boat to Hora Sfakion and then to the Chania airport where participants can ferry or fly back to Athens.  Plan to depart from Athens no earlier than 3pm on Oct 5.

Optional Activities could include the following: Optional activitiesGreekIslands.docx

Time of Year:   Fall is an excellent season to visit the Greek Islands, with milder weather (cooler temperatures than in the summer), fewer tourists, harvest season, fall colors, and migratory bird watching .  Fall temperatures range from (64°F to 77°F) with occasional rain

Guide Service:  This is a fully guided trip- from Naxos to Santorini (One Foot Forward); Crete (Cretan Adventures), including luggage transfers, entrance fees to museums/archeological sites, and transportation.

Lodging:  Bed and breakfast hotels, local inns and village pensions. Shared double rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Food:   Includes 13 breakfasts and 5 dinners.  Breakfasts provided by lodging establishments; the 5 provided dinners will be at local taverns with dishes of personal choice or traditional greek cuisine.  All lunches and remaining dinners are on your own (abundant nearby restaurants and markets).  Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options likely to be available.

Transportation:  Air-conditioned private coach (provided by guide service), public Metro/ taxis (in Athens), ferry (between islands)

Leader’s Experience:   Linda Shewey (lshewey@comcast.net) has been a Mountaineer’s hike leader for 15 yrs and has led several multi-day trips.  This will be the 6th Global Adventure trip she’s led or co-led.  She has not visited Greece previously, but has hiked in Turkey (which has similar terrain and climate)

Participant Requirements:   Must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file.  This outing includes several consecutive days of hiking easy to challenging trails, on varied terrain, so participants need to be in good aerobic condition and show proven ability to hike multiple days in a row. Leader will vet participants by phone or in-person interviews, recent Mountaineer or equivalent activities and recommendations from other hike leaders.  Participants should have a positive attitude, ability to be flexible, an inquisitive nature, appreciation for the natural world and history of the culture, and a demonstrated ability to get along well with groups.  Day packs, sun protection, sturdy shoes and trekking poles are required equipment.  Participants must carry emergency medical and evacuation insurance.

Participants must abide by the current Mountaineers and CDC COVID/Respiratory virus protection policies Respiratory Illness Policy — The Mountaineers.

Goals, Expectations, and Style:  Curious if this trip would be a good fit for you?  Please read through these carefully and consider how closely they align with the way you like to experience an outdoor adventure.  Participants who have different goals, expectations and/or style from what’s listed below could not only have a much less enjoyable experience but would also have the potential to disrupt the experience and cohesion of the rest of the group.

Trip
Goals

  • Explore the Greek Islands of Naxos, Santorini and Crete, completing the itinerary as planned (if possible)
  • Have a safe (physical and emotional) and positive experience
  • To contribute to the formation of a compatible Mountaineers group and to enjoy the companionship of others in the outdoors
  • To gain an appreciation and sense of awe for the nature, peoples, histories and cultures of the Greek Islands
  • To be a welcoming community and good representatives of the Mountaineers during international travel
  • To minimize environmental impact
  • To accept and embrace challenging times (weather, terrain, unexpected situations)
  • Enjoy a sense of accomplishment as we enjoy a meal after a long, challenging, (but rewarding!) day

Participant
Expectations

  • Have the fitness required for this trip’s daily mileage and elevation gain, hiking with a day pack at a moderate but steady pace (1.75 -2mph) with allowances for steeper sections or difficult terrain for several consecutive days in variable weather conditions
  • To have a positive attitude and a willingness to be flexible, accepting the challenges that will inevitably be thrown our way
  • To be ready to hit the trail at the agreed upon time in the morning, to stay with the group and be supportive of each other
  • To behave in a kind, courteous and respectful manner to everyone and everything (nature/land) during the trip, including low impact, leave-no-trace practice.  To not engage in any high-risk taking activities. 
  • To come prepared for this trip (physical conditioning/skills, 10 essentials, gear and clothing, map/route, food/water), and be able to navigate on-trail travel
  • To fully read all pre-trip communications from the leader, to participate in group decision-making on the trail, and be willing to abide by the leader’s final decision. To communicate in a positive solution-oriented manner assuming the best intent of fellow participants and leader, to be willing to pro-actively communicate any concerns, illness/injury or other issues during the trip and take responsibility for their self-care.
  • Understand that we’ll hike together as a group, staying within sight and voice distance of each other
  • Be willing to help/support others, and to put the team first

Trip
Style

  • Daily hiking, traveling or exploring from 9am to 4pm each day, with ample breaks to rest, hydrate, eat and admire the scenery.
  • Participation in exploring cultural and historical sites and activities
  • Encourage group members to get to know each other and enjoy each other’s company, fostering a safe and inclusive environment
  • Respect folks who prefer to chat while trekking, folks who prefer to be quiet while trekking, and folks who enjoy a mixture of both

Leader
Style

  • I am adventurous, curious and love to be “awed” by Nature.
  • As a leader, I tend to the quieter side and my style is more relaxed.
  • While I love to hike, I am also willing to make space for picture-taking, flowers, critters, geology, culture and views along the way.
  • I value the journey as much as the destination and strive to foster hiking as a wholistic experience (body, soul, spirit). 

Note:  As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe.  You are responsible for your own safety and that of your fellow travelers. You must have the ability to navigate on trails with a map and compass.  

Trip Price Detail:    $4800 including 13 nights lodging, 13 breakfasts and 5 dinners, ferry tickets from Athens to Naxos, from Naxos to Santorini and from Santorini to Crete, transfers from ferries to lodging, private mini-bus transfers, English-speaking guides throughout the tour, entrance fees to included archeological sites, museums, monasteries, and Samaria national Park, olive oil tasting and luggage transfers.

Not included:  Airfare (approx. $1500), transportation from Athens airport to hotel (about $40), hotel in Athens on departure night if desired (about $200), room taxes ($5 per day) remaining lunches and dinners (about $300), optional museums and tours ($350), travel medical and evacuation insurance (about $200) and tips for guides/drivers/hotels (about $200).

Registration Instructions:   Please complete the application form and email it to the leader.  After the leader’s approval, please pay the 50% deposit ($2400) in order to hold your space on the roster.  Registration will close on May 31, 2025 or whenever the roster fills.  A place on the roster can only be held with payment of the deposit.  The balance of the trip payment is due by June 15, 2025.  As soon as possible after registering, please complete the Trip Agreement and Release forms below.  The Supplemental Information form will be requested close to departure.

APPLICATION

TRIP AGREEMENT

RELEASE

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel from this adventure, you may receive a refund less non-recoverable expenses and a $100 administrative fee.  No refund if cancellation is after Aug 30, 2025. Exception if a qualified replacement pays their deposit and joins the roster in your place, in which case only the Mountaineers $100 admin fee is due.

Arrive in Athens and transfer to the hotel anytime on Sept 22.  

Participants will meet as a group for breakfast and briefing at 8am on Sept 23 with the remainder of the morning free to explore Athens.  We will meet back at the hotel at noon and taxi to Piraeus for the afternoon ferry to Naxos. On arrival, we will transfer to our hotel and meet our guide for a welcome briefing.  We will have 4 days in Naxos, 3 days in Santorini and 5 days in Crete for hiking and/or cultural activities accompanied by our local guide (s).  The trip ends on Oct 5 at the Chania airport on Crete, where participants can either ferry or fly to Athens (where they can fly back to Seattle), or continue their own adventures.

Getting There:  Participants are responsible for their own transportation between home and Athens, Greece.  There are a variety of commercial flights that provide service from Seattle to Athens.

Route/Place

Hike the Greek Islands of Naxos, Santorini and Crete


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

After receiving your deposit, the leader will send out a series of letters or emails providing information to help participants succeed on the trip, including recommended and required gear, recommended maps and guidebooks.   In general, plan to bring typical Mountaineer gear for a day hike in a warm climate with little shade.

 

Trip Reports