Private Imbros Gorge Hiking Day Trip, Chania

4.5 (2 reviews)
Hike through Crete's narrowest gorge with the help of a private guide, ending at an idyllic village on the Libyan Sea.

Overview

Perfect for nature lovers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience in Crete, this private day trip takes you south of Chania to Imbros Gorge. Grab your trekking poles and set off on a 5-mile hike, following a winding trail between sandstone cliffs. Your expert guide will share fascinating facts about the local history and diverse flora and fauna as you walk, and eventually, you'll reach the gorge's narrowest point, where the walls tower 984 feet above and just 6 feet apart. The trail opens up to the Libyan Sea at the village of Komitades, where you'll stop for a swim before heading to nearby Skafion for a taverna lunch.

Highlights

  • Hike a 5-mile (8 km) trail through the dramatic Imbros Gorge
  • Learn about the area's diverse flora and fauna from your private trekking guide
  • Pass through soaring sandstone walls that narrow to just 6 feet (1.8 m)
  • Reach the seaside village of Komitades and relax with a cool drink
  • Swim in the turquoise waters of the Libyan Sea

Know before you go

Duration
7h
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Private

What you'll do

Hike through the dramatic, narrow canyons of Imbros Gorge on this privately guided day trip to one of Crete's hidden natural gems. Running parallel to the famous (and much more crowded) Samaria Gorge, Imbros offers a shorter, secluded route through soaring sandstone cliffsides. The journey begins when your private driver and expert guide pick you up at your Chania hotel for the hour-long transfer south to the village of Imbros. Here you can take a coffee break or fuel up with local breakfast before grabbing your hiking poles and setting off with your licensed trekking guide.

The 5-mile (8 km) hike starts with an easy downhill stretch, passing through beautiful natural scenery. Your guide will provide you with insightful knowledge about the area's native plants, flora, and fauna as you walk, and you'll likely spot friendly goats who thrive in the rocky terrain. As you progress, the gorge will become increasingly narrower, and after about 75 minutes, you'll reach the narrowest and most imposing spot of the route, where the sandstone walls tower 984 feet (300 m) above and less than 6 feet (1.8 m) apart.Ā 

The trail ends at the small village of Komitades, where the gorge opens up to stunning views of the Libyan Sea. You'll have time here to enjoy a drink at a local coffee shop or cool off with a swim in the turquoise sea. Finally, your driver will take you to the nearby town of Chora Sfakion, where you can celebrate your hiking adventures with a traditional Cretan lunch at one of the local tavernas (not included) before the drive back to Chania.Ā 

Start times

  • Monday
    Not available
  • Tuesday
    Not available
  • Wednesday
    7:30 am
  • Thursday
    7:30 am
  • Friday
    Not available
  • Saturday
    Not available
  • Sunday
    Not available

What's included

  • Private driver
  • Licensed trekking guide
  • Entrance fee
  • Trekking poles

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Traveler reviews

2 total ratings, 2 with reviews
4.5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.5
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.0
Transport
4.5
Janice
Janice F.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Oct 09, 2025
Our driver was competent and friendly. Our guide for our hike was a young, fun guy who had hiked the Imbros Gorge dozens and dozens of times. He was kind, knowledgable and helped a member of our group who wasn't confident on big or slippery rocks. The Gorge is very pretty and the goats were fun to see (and hear...their bells!). There are some very interesting plants in the Gorge (if you're inclined to notice such things). It's highly "civilized," compared with wilderness trails in the... Read more

Our driver was competent and friendly. Our guide for our hike was a young, fun guy who had hiked the Imbros Gorge dozens and dozens of times. He was kind, knowledgable and helped a member of our group who wasn't confident on big or slippery rocks.

The Gorge is very pretty and the goats were fun to see (and hear...their bells!). There are some very interesting plants in the Gorge (if you're inclined to notice such things). It's highly "civilized," compared with wilderness trails in the US: there are trash cans, and a snack/beverage stand (with bathrooms) mid-way.

There was a bit of extra walking at the end before meeting our driver. It seemed we didn't have all that much time for the promised lunch and possible swim in the Liberian Sea after the hike. Our driver dropped us at a restaurant and we only had an hour before he said we needed to return to the van. So our lunch was a bit rushed (though the view over the sea was lovely) and there was no time to take a dip in the water (and we had brought our swim suits and towels with us).

Tips for future travelers

Make sure you request enough time with the driver so that your lunch after the hike will not be rushed and you have time to have a swim in the sea, if you wish. If you like hiking, but don't want to do the much longer Samaria Gorge hike, then this trip is for you.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
J
Jody G.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 01, 2025
It is understandable that this hike is so popular because of its beauty. Read more

It is understandable that this hike is so popular because of its beauty.

Tips for future travelers

My one recommendation is to wear hiking boots because of the loose rock trail surface. They would have offered more stability than my running shoes.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Theo was very informative and helpful.
Transport

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