Greece’s largest island, Crete, is almost a country in itself! It certainly has its own identity and may even be the birthplace of western civilization, that of the Minoans with their palaces and complex systems of government. Today the Southern Mediterranean landscapes of Crete are astoundingly beautiful, and very different from north to south and east to west. Hiking on the island is a must, and its most famous and longest hike may arguably be Samaria Gorge, a trek that’s astounding but not for the faint of heart. There are many other gorges and valleys to explore, as well as mountains – some even with snow – despite this being Europe’s most southern region that faces the African coast. We’ve listed well known hikes but also some by smaller individuals and freelancers, often with few but good ratings, because we feel they should be supported too.