Western Crete - Sunflower Books

‘Mountains rearing straight up from the sea, deep wooded gorges, ravines and valleys — and yet more glorious mountains, standing proud and acting as a magnet to the eye and the imagination — that’s Western Crete, or real Crete, as some would say. Its strong, dramatic scenery and colours create sweeping landscapes of harsh but beautiful countryside — countryside that has been the backdrop for heroic deeds, ancient civilisations and constant intrigue for thousands of years, and the home of obdurate, tough-spirited people — made so by their labours on the land and their experiences.

‘Getting to know Western Crete takes time; the number of people who explore beyond the obvious is slowly growing. We hope we will lead you straight to the heart of the matter with this book, whether you are a first- or second-time visitor unsure about how best to get to know the island or, indeed, if you are someone who doesn’t need convincing but would like a reliable, thorough and different guide. We encourage you to explore to the full. We won’t need to inspire you; one look at Western Crete will do that.’ (from the Preface)

Key features:

45 long and short walks, colour-coded for grade
1:50,000 topo maps with waypoints
free downloadable GPS tracks
E4 long-distance hiking route highlighted on all relevant maps
satnav coordinates to walk starting points
8 car tours and fold-out touring maps of both Eastern and Western Crete – ideal for planning
plans of Hania and Rethimnon
strolls to idyllic picnic spots
timetables for local transport
online update service
Area covered: From the Gramvousa Peninsula east to the area around Rethimnon

The best months for walking in Crete are April to June, September or October