I'm heading to Crete this summer for an event and plan to spend another 2-3 weeks in Greece (from early to late July). I'm wondering where the best hiking is, preferably places where I can stay in huts or mountain inns that are not too expensive, touristy, crowded, or hot. Should I stick to the islands or hit the mainland? Any suggestions of places to go and/or stay would be welcomed!

your best bet is national parks. Pindos mtns., Mt. Olympos, etc have mountain refuges. Also the Peloponnese has some good mountains like Panahaiko, Mainalo, Taygetos, etc. I would not focus on any other islands except Crete and Samothraki for serious hiking.

Check this out for Crete: http://www.explorecrete.com/hiking/gorges.html

Santorini has two popular hiking trails. One between Fira and Oia and another between Perissa Beach and Kamari Beach.

Katie:

May I suggest that you browse through the following site: www.oreivatein.com

It's sort of a portal about the greek mountains, hiking, trekking and climbing. There you'll find all the information you need.

You'll find the Mountaineering Club of Chania quite useful

http://www.interkriti.org/orivatikos/hania1.htm

Brotherleelove2004,

I have read your posts about the hiking trail from Fira to Oia and plan on doing it. Please expand on the hiking trail between Perissa Beach and Kamari Beach (how long, sights, getting there, etc). Thanks.

don't forget to consider hiking the Samoria Gorge in Crete, the longest gorge in Europe. Awesome. Takes most of a day, all downhill, where at the end you take a boat to get back to a bus for return to Chania. I believe you have to be a member of a group tour that leaves from Chania. Check current guide books for more up to date details.

KC3305-I've never taken these trails, but I've been aware of them for a long time.

Here are some links to hiking info on Santorini:

http://www.cycladen.be/Emborio-PerissaEng.htm

http://www.cycladen.be/SantoriniEng.htm

If you want to hike a gorge, they say the Samaria gets horribly hot in July (not to mention mobbed). What about Imbros Gorge also in Crete? Easy to get to (drive south from Vrisses to Imbro, leave car, walk down, get taxi back to car). We did it in May 01, the whole way flowers were blooming, we saw only 10-12 people (and it's just 4 hours vs 8 for Samaria). Also consider the cliffside walk from Loutro to Hora Sfakion. stop for a swim midway at Sweetwater beach. You can "google" both these for both photos and diaries of those who've been there -- best way is to do "google Image." have fun and remember -- carry a walking stick! You'll be walking on rocks the size of soccer balls a lot of the time.