Such was the popularity of our past Crete trips, the trip planned for 2022 was booked out very quickly, so a second trip was added
The first group of 15 went out in the middle of September for 9 days, the plan was to walk with our belongings Camino style for the first 5 days. Our first walk was down the spectacular Samarian gorge, making our way to Agia Roumelli for 3 nights. Day 2 took us by boat to Domata beach and we hiked back to Agia Roumelli over very challenging terrain.
Day 3 we did local walk up to Castro. We hiked next day to Loutro, which is only accessible on foot or by boat, we stayed here for 2 nights. We got a boat back to Marmara beach for our hike up the Aradhena gorge, where our bus was waiting to take us to Kolymbari for the final 3 days. On our second last day, we climbed the highest mountain in Crete Psiloritos (2456m). This was the definite highlight of the holiday.
The second group of over 30 members, went out on the 30 th September. Their itinerary was similar, with the exception they travelled to Retymno for 2 nights from where they made their ascent of Psiloritos. They climbed up the Aradhena gorge where bus was waiting to bring them to Kolymbari, for their final few days. While in Kolymbari they met up for a social night organised by our friends in the New ross club who were also hiking in Crete. They also did some hikes around Kolymbari.
As always the excellent walking routes, weather the scenery and the local people make Crete such a great trip. Leaders as usual came from within the groups, with excellent input of local knowledge from our bus driver Manolas and Andreus in Hotel Tarra in Agia Roumelli. The organisation of both trips was as usual excellent with no detail left to chance. Thanks to Martin Brett, Anne Smart and Eamonn Costello for organising these trips.
