February 2026
Sunday 1
a. Winter Training
Leader: Fountas Spinthakis • Hiking time: 5 hours • Difficulty: 2
A brief practical training session for relatively experienced mountaineers who wish to engage in winter mountain activities. There will be a demonstration of the use of winter mountaineering equipment, aiming at safer ascents on snow-covered mountains. The location will most likely be Lakkos Mygerou, on the northern slope of Mount Psiloritis. Participants must have basic winter equipment (winter boots, gaiters, jacket, gloves, etc.).
b. Knossos – Agia Eirini Gorge – Fourni
Leader: Giannis Kanakis • Hiking time: 5 hours • Difficulty: 1
>Starting from the Palace of Knossos (122m) and following roads and trails, we reach Agia Eirini at Spilia. From there, we hike to the Karydaki area, visit the abandoned Monastery of Panagia, and then, following the trail, we arrive at Fourni and its beautiful pine forest.
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8
a. Fourfouras – Toumpotos Prinos – Psiloritis
Leader: Dimitris Sfyrakis • Hiking time: 4 + 9 hours • Difficulty: 3 + 6
We start from Fourfouras (460m). Moving uphill in a northerly direction and following the E4 mountaineering trail, we reach the Rethymnon Mountaineering Club’s shelter at Toumbotos Prinos (1,520m), where we spend the night. The following day, we continue our ascent to the summit of Mount Ida – Timios Stavros – at 2,456m. Our return follows the same route. Excellent physical condition is required, as well as experience in winter ascents and in the use of winter mountaineering equipment.
b. From Rhadamanthys to Minos I: Phestos – Kalyviani Monastery – Roufas – Labyrinth – Plouti
Leader: Babis Christoulakis • Hiking time: 6 hours • Difficulty: 2
When Zeus, transformed into a white bull, abducted Europa, the princess of Phoenicia, he brought her to Gortys, where they fell in love. From their union, three sons were born: Minos, who became king of Knossos; Rhadamanthys, king of Phestos; and Sarpedon, king of Malia. Our Club connects these four archaeological sites through a series of routes. In the first phase, we link Phestos with Gortys and then Knossos. In the second phase, the palace of Malia is linked with that of Knossos. A journey into the mythology, culture, and history of our island is just beginning. After visiting the archaeological site of Phestos, we follow a dirt road, pass the historic Kalyviani Monastery, the renovated picturesque village of Roufas, and, after a short ascent, pass by the Labyrinth Cave, finally reaching the village of Plouti.
Sunday 15
a. Spathi, Dikti (Winter Ascent)
Leader: Thomas Viskadourakis • Hiking time: 7 hours • Difficulty: 5
A winter ascent to the highest peak of the Dikti mountain range. From the Limnakaro Plateau (1,150m), we ascend to Spathi Peak (2,148 m), the highest summit of the Dikti range. We return via the same route. If the road to Limnakaro is closed, the hike will start from a lower point. Winter equipment is necessary, and experience in winter ascents, as well as very good physical condition, are required.
b. Vasiliki – Trypiti Gorge – Trafoulas Gorge – Lentas
Leader: Nikos Apostolakis • Hiking time: 6 hours • Difficulty: 2
Our route begins shortly after Vasiliki village, on the road to Krotos village. Hiking along a dirt road, we pass through Trypiti Gorge, with a stop at the beach. From there, continuing on a dirt road, we reach Trafoulas Gorge, where there is a well-known climbing area, with a stop at the beach. Finally, following a trail and dirt road, we end at Lentas.
Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 – Ash Monday 23
Ierapetra
Leader: Grigoris Karandinakis
>A three-day trip in southeastern Crete, with overnight stays in the town of Ierapetra. We hike through the beautiful landscapes of the area, on both well-known and new routes, and enjoy the carnival and the festive pre-Lenten events organised by the Municipality of Ierapetra. A detailed program is to be announced in due course.
Saturday 28 – Sunday 1
Volikas – Spathi
Leader: Fountas Spinthakis • Hiking time: 2 + 10 hours • Difficulty: 2 + 6
A two-day trip in the snow-covered White Mountains. On Saturday morning, we depart for the village of Kambi, Chania (580m). From there, we begin our hike through lush meadows and forest to the Volikas Shelter of the Mountaineering Club of Chania (1,400m) in the White Mountains, where we spend the night. Early the following morning, we set off for the peaks of Spathi (2,048m) and Agio Pnevma (2,283m). This is a demanding ascent on snowy and icy terrain. Finally, we return to the shelter and from there back to Kambi. The route is meant for experienced mountaineers and requires knowledge, experience, excellent physical condition, and proficiency in the use of mountaineering equipment.
