West to East
Crete Basic Information
Description
- Lassithi Plateau
with mammoth Diktion Cave.
- Traditional villages
in the Psiloritis Mountains - Romantic Venetian-era
city of Hania - Minoan palaces of
Knossos and Malia - Rethymno’s fabulous Fortezza
As Greece’s largest island with an extended road network and breathtaking mountains and seascapes, Crete makes a provocative destination for cyclists.
Apart from splendid cycling, ancient Minoan ruins are an exciting feature en route, including famous sites like Knossos and Malia, and unheralded ones of equal interest, such as the Armeni Minoan cemetery and Fourni in Arhanes.
Clients rave about the precious accommodations offered on this tour. Charming old villas, country inns and boutique hotels provide a personal, intimate exchange with the hospitable local hosts.
Available Dates
| Duration | Rating | Average km/day | Total Distance | Cost Per Person in Euros | Cost Per Person in Euros |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 or 10 days | Challenging | 10 Days 33 miles 54 km |
10 Days 313 miles 504 km |
8 Days 2 riders – 2220 3 riders – 2100 4 riders – 2010 Single Supp – 300 |
10 Days 2 riders – 2380 3 riders – 2170 4 riders – 2070 Single Supp – 400 |
All tours are priced in euros, the currency of Greece.
Click here for daily exchange rates
Details
| Level Of Difficulty | 3 |
| Standard Duration | 7 nights, 8 days |
| Add-on days | Available & recommended |
| Arrival City | Hania |
| Arrival transfer | yes, from airport or port |
| Departure City | Herakleion |
| Departure transfer | Yes , to airport or port |
| Tour Start Point | Hania |
| Tour End Point | Arhanes |
| Number of hotels | 4 |
| Luggage Transfers | 4 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Minimum Riders | 1 |
| Maximum Pax | no max |
| Total Mileage | 30 km/19 miles |
| Average Daily Mileage | 15 km, 9 miles |
| Highest Elevation | 1500 m , 3000 feet |
Mileage
Support vehicle available for lifts. Additional mileage available for road warriors
| Day 1 | 15 miles, 25 km, flat atop plateau, almost no hills |
| Day 2 | 32 miles, 54 km descend 2920 ft, ascend on return same route. |
| Day 3 | 27 miles, 44 km highest ascent 1968 feet, 8 Day: 28 miles, 46 km rolling hills |
| Day 4 | 15 miles, 25 km descend then ascend back up 1300 feet |
| Day 5 | 31 miles, 50 km highest ascents 1692 and 2040 feet |
| Day 6 | 50 miles, 80 km climb from 1050 feet to 1790 feet, then downhill. Additional mileage for Spili, add 18 miles, 30 km, and two 1000 feet climbs |
| Day 7 | 39 miles, 63 km rolling hills |
| Day 8 | 58 miles, 94 km, 1100 foot climb in 8 km, highest climb 2000 feet |
| Day 9 | 46 miles, 74 km ascend 3600 feet, descend on return. Actual riding time is about 2.45 to ascend, 1½ hours to return. |
Start/End Points
The 8 Day or 10 Day tour both start in Athens where you test your bike. You can either fly or take an overnight boat to Herakleion, Crete. In either event, from Herakleion early morning the next day you/bikes/luggage will be transferred to Tzermiado for Day 1 of the10 Day tour or transferred to Knossos–Arhanes for Day 1 of the 8 Day tour. Note — 8 Day tour itinerary starts at Day 3 on Itinerary below.
The tour ends in Hania with daily flights and boats back to Athens. You leave the bike in Hania.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arhanes On arrival, a CycleGreece agent meets you at the port or airport and transfers you to lovely Arhanes, a one-time Minoan village whose contemporary residents continue many of the same traditions, from growing grapes for wine to cultivating acclaimed olive oil. If morning arrival, afternoon cycle to Museum of Nikos Katzantakis, author of Zorba the Greek. 41.60 km, 25.80 miles or 24.55 km, 15 miles
Day 2: Arhanes Bike to the famed Minoan palace city of Knossos, the Ancient Minoa was the first civilization on European soil. By all accounts it was a peaceful empire. Recommend a taxi to Herakelion Archaeological Museum to avoid intense urban traffic. 25km, 15 miles roundtrip
Day 3: Zaros The ride from Arhanes 1245 feet (380 meters) ascends to the cheerful mountain village of Zaros 1394 feet high (425 meters). Zaros is known for its bottled mineral water, fresh trout and the E4 (European) hiking route. Optional afternoon hike in the Rouvas Gorge. 55.52 km, 34.50 miles
Day 4: Rethymno Back country roads, lots of climbing, breathtaking scenery characterizes today’s ride. The day’s final destination is Crete’s best kept secret, Rethymno. Make sure to visit the Fortezza, the grand Venetian-era fort overlooking the city. 77.20km, 48.00 miles
Day 5: Rethymno A bike ride into the low portions of the Psiloritis Mountains. Visit Melidoni Cave and learn its poignant history. Lunch on the seacoast at Panormos. Stroll Rethymno’s car-free alley-like streets or along its fourteen kilometer sandy beach. 67.70 km, 42 miles
Day 6: Hania The ride to Hania first passes the Minoan cemetery at Armeni with its fascinating tombs of unknown origin. Halfway en route is the gorgeous sea at Giorgiopoli. Last stretch is the climb over Malaxa village at 1500 feet high. 78.00 km, 48.50 miles
Day 7: Hania Ascend the enchanting Therissos Gorge up to 1860 feet. On the way back stop at a winery for lunch, or visit a botanical park created by two brothers in their burned out olive field. Enjoy Hania’s beautiful harbor with Venetian architecture. Take time for shopping in Hania – handmade knives or gold jewelry. 51.00 km, 31.60 miles
Day 7: Departure If departing Crete, vehicle transfer to airport or port. Leave your bikes and gear at the hotel.
Cost
- Participants are required to sign our Waiver.
- Participants are required to agree to the Booking Agreement
- All costs are in euros. Click here for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com
- Costs are based on Double occupancy
Cost per person
| Cost for 1 Rider | 1300 euros / per person |
| Cost for 2 Riders | 1400 euros / per person |
| Cost for 3 Riders | 1200 euros / per person |
| Cost for 4+ Riders | 800 euros / per person |
Inclusions
Self-guided clients carry their own gear, like pump, tubes, patch kit, etc.
| Road Service | Yes | Spare tube | 1 per person |
| Accommodations | 5 | Rear rack | on request |
| Breakfast | daily | Patch kit | 1 per group |
| Luggage transfers | 4 | Tire Irons | 1 per group |
| Bike-rider transfers | 2 | Multi-tool | 1 per group |
| Bike | road or hybrid | Hand pump | 1 per group |
| Pedals | regular or cages | GPS device | 1 per group |
| Water bottles | 2 per person | Cue sheets | per person |
| Handlebar pouch | 1 per person | Maps | 1 per couple |
| Odometer | 1 per person | Trip Folder | 1 per couple |
| Helmet | 1 per person | Mobile phone | 1 per group |
| Lock | 1 per person | CycleGreece jersey | 1 per person |
Exclusions
- Panniers
- Airfare to Greece
- Transport to/from Crete
- Meals except breakfast
- Travel Insurance
- We are an official Travel Guard agent. Request
Optional Services.
Please Contact us if you want one of these serveces added on your tour. Optional services may alter the basic root of a tour or expand the total lenght! These
- Pre-tour logistics (hotels, destinations, transport, etc)
- Post-tour logistics
- Licensed guide at Knossos or Malia
- Traditional Crete Cooking Class
- Olive Oil Tasting Session
- Wine Tasting Session
- Samaria Gorge Hike
- Imbros Gorge Hike
NOTE
As Greece’s largest island with an extended network of rural roads, Crete offers cyclists exquisite routes through mountain villages that eventually descend to the sea. A must-see are the ancient Minoan palace cities of Knossos and Malia, or unheralded ruins, such as the mysterious Armeni cemetery near Rethymno.
Crete has its own delicious cuisine, its own dialect, its own traditional music. It’s practically its own country!
MAP
Here you can see a basic route of your trip.
Map Info
