E4 Walking path Crete

The E4 European Path beginning at Gibraltar crosses Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria and ends up in the south-eastern edge of the Mediterranean, Greece, finishing its journey at the island of Venus, Cyprus.  In Greece, the Hellenic Mountaineering Association has been appointed by the European Ramblers Association, its coordinative body, to define and mark the path. Today, the Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing is its administrative body.
In the route that lies furthest in the south of Greece, the E4 crosses Crete, beginning at Elafonisi, on the west coast, and ending up at Kato Zakros, on the east coast. In this route, the path often branches off, so that hikers have the chance to choose among routes of variable natural and cultural beauty.

In the prefecture of Rethymno, the E4 path also comprises two branches, the northern one and the southern one. The northern branch comes into the administrative borders of the prefecture from the region of Argiroupoli village and the northern one from the region of Rodakino. The two branches meet at the plateau of Nida on the mountainous mass of Psiloreitis and, from there, the path goes on to the administrative borders of the prefecture of Iraklio.

The two branches in the prefecture of Rethymno cross areas of great natural beauty and lands of important geological, archaeological, historical and, generally, cultural value.

They also offer the chance to go hiking in the mountains of Krioneritis, Kedros and Psiloreitis. Especially, Mountain Kedros and the south-western part of the mountain range of Psiloreitis belong to the Natura 2000 European network, in which Kourtaliotiko Gorge, which is close to the E4 path, is also included. 

The southern branch is recommended to hikers in good form and to those whose interests focus on the byzantine era. The northern branch is recommended to hikers that are more interested in the Venetian occupation and modern culture.

This brief Guide offers a general description of the E4 path in the prefecture of Rethymno and it intends to facilitate people who wish to cross it as a whole or in part. It focuses on points of high interest, whether those are located on the route or at a close distance from it.

Prospective hikers should be very careful concerning the marks of the E4, since at some points those marks are unnoticeable and/or damaged. In any case, hikers must consult the “Useful Guidelines” given at the end of this leaflet in advance, in order to be able to enjoy the beauties of the prefecture of Rethymno without being distracted.

Download PDF brochure on the E4 walking path *(source: www.rethymnon.gr)