Trans-Crete E-MTB tour | Your biking holiday on Crete

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Trans-Crete – Variety Packed E-MTB Tour on Crete

Explore Crete all the way from its eastern coast to Europe’s southernmost town on this incredibly varied mountain bike holiday by E-MTB. The largest island in Greece is characterized by rugged mountain landscapes, green plateaus, spectacular gorges, and a sea sparkling in a hundred shades of blue.

Crete’s terrain makes it the perfect location for an unforgettable holiday in Hellas. Crete offers everything a mountain biker could desire. Here you will find total variety from technically demanding trails to stony mountain paths and flowing coastal routes. Day after day, the summer-warm Mediterranean Sea will tempt you in for a refreshing swim. And during the trip, we stay at carefully selected accommodation. Furthermore we enjoy the local cuisine in traditional tavernas, allowing you to experience Crete at its most authentic.

As Crete is extremely mountainous and many of the trails require full concentration, we are offering the tour exclusively with E-MTBs. This way you can save energy on the climbs and enjoy the descents that much more.


Highlights

  • Variety-packed trail fun: Your guide leads you along Crete’s best trails
  • Splish, splash: Swimming in the summer-warm Mediterranean Sea
  • Ancient nature: Crete’s olive trees, some 2,500 years old, are true works of natural art
  • Simply delicious: Enjoy a variety of Cretan cuisine!
  • Sustainability: In the mountain village of Kapetania, the ruins of a small old village have been given new life as a truly special guesthouse


8 days/7 nights
Oct
Moderate – Challenging
Heraklion
Heraklion
Persons: 6+
Age: 18+

Included Activities

  • Guided E-MTB tours
  • Swimming breaks at beautiful beaches

Dates

1 – 8 OCT 2022

For groups of 6 or more, individual travel dates are also possible on request. Simply contact us with your desired dates.


DAY 1
Heraklion – Palekastro (Arrival) | Once you have arrived in Heraklion, our transfer will collect you and drive you the two hours to Palekasto in eastern Crete.

Check-in and make yourself comfortable on your first night in Crete. Overnight stay in Palekastro.

DAY 2
Palekastro – Sitia – Mochlos (46.5 mi/75 km & 6,480 ft./1,975 m of elevation. Alternative: 36 mi./59 km & 4,420 ft./1,350 m of elevation) | In the morning we visit the Freak Mountain Bike Station to adjust and ready our E-MTBs. Afterwards, a transfer brings us to the harbour town of Sitia, the starting point of our first bike stage.

The ride takes us through the island’s rugged north-eastern coastal region. With almost 3280 ft./1000 m to climb before lunch, you’ll soon be glad of the extra support provided by the bike’s powerful motor.

During lunch we are spoilt by typical Greek hospitality; a drink in hand and a table full of appetizers for everyone to share.

Refreshed and re-energized, we can enjoy the descent down to the fishing village of Mochlos, where we spend the night.

DAY 3
Mochlos – Mirabello Bay – Makrigialos (34 mi./55 km & 5,740 ft./1,750 m of elevation. Alternative: 28 mi./45 km 4,420 ft./1,350 m of elevation) | Today’s bike tour leads through the Tryphi Mountains. Along the way, we can enjoy spectacular panoramic views.

We pass one of the oldest olive trees on the island near the mountain village of Kavousi followed by a fantastic view of Mirabello Bay.

A gentle descent takes us through small traditional villages to our lunch stop. Here we again enjoy some delicious Cretan dishes before descending to Makrigialos on the coast, where we spend the night.

DAY 4
Makrigialos – Mirtos (45 mi./73 km & 5,900 ft./1,800 m of elevation. Alternative: 34 mi./55 km & 4,260 ft./1,300 m of elevation) | Today we start with a shuttle to Ierapetra, the southernmost town in Europe. From here we bike through the breath-taking mountain world of southern Crete where we can look forward to trails that are as epic as they are challenging.

As there are many metres of elevation to master along the way, we recommend careful use of your E-MTB battery. Your guide will be able to give you all the advice you need.

Our destination today is Myrtos, located on the south coast of Crete. Here the glistening sea entices you to jump in and enjoy the refreshing water after a spectacular day of biking.

DAY 5
Myrtos – Tsoutsouros (25 mi./40 km & 2,300 ft./700 m of elevation) | A wonderful and relaxed day awaits us on our tour from Myrtos to Tsoutsouros today. With less elevation gain than previous days, we can enjoy exploring the hilly hinterland lined with numerous greenhouses.

We also bike along spectacular stretches of coast, passing one beautiful beach after another. So be sure not to forget your swimsuit today!

At the end of the bike stage, we reach the coastal village of Tsoutsouros, next to the ancient town of Inados, where we spend the night.

DAY 6
Tsoutsouros – Kapetaniana (28 mi./45 km & 5,415 ft./1,650 m of elevation) | After yesterday’s rather relaxed day of biking, today’s route takes us through mountainous regions again, with some tougher long climbs.

At 3350 ft./1,020 m above sea level, we reach the highest point of our entire bike trip. But don’t panic: If your battery runs out, you can exchange it for a freshly charged one during the lunch break.

Our morning efforts are greatly rewarded! We enjoy a descent along a variety of trails until we reach the idyllic mountain village of Kapetaniana, 700 m above sea level. Until a few years ago, part of this old village consisted exclusively of ruins.

The current owner of the Thalori Guesthouse created an extraordinary resort in traditional Cretan style from the walls of these ruins: Each old house was lovingly restored and made into guest rooms, all with their own unique charm. A rich Cretan dinner rounds of the day.

DAY 7
Kapetaniana – Zaros (33.5 mi./54 km & 4,101 ft./1,250 m of elevation) | We start our last biking day with a short climb. Afterwards we can look forward to one of the highlights of this tour, biking through a magnificent gorge with pristine nature.

After a stop at Tripity Beach, we tackle the last mountain pass of the trip. Crossing the rugged and remote Asterousia massif, we climb another 1312 ft./400 m to the famous Messara plain.

This unique region is welcoming us with its seemingly endless olive groves shimmering in a distinctive silver hue. The ancient trees have an aura all of their own and each one is a natural work of art.

We then descend along a trail to the mountain village of Zaros, which lies at the foot of the Ida Mountains, the highest mountain range in Crete. Here we spend the night.

DAY 8
Zaros – Heraklion (Departure) | After breakfast at the hotel, a transfer brings you to Heraklion, where you can start your own journey home, or continue your holiday in Crete.

If you would like any advice on extending your Greek holiday, please don’t hesitate to contact our team!

E-MTB

On this tour, we exclusively offer high-quality E-Hardtail MTBs from Focus Bold. Our E-MTBs have a powerful Shimano drive (up to 750 watts) with extra long-range, RockShox suspension forks with 120 mm travel and high-quality Shimano gears and brakes. In short: A robust trail bike that is perfect for the demanding Cretan terrain.

Authentic Cretan Guesthouses and Hotels

During this trip you will stay in carefully selected guesthouses and hotels, characterised by their warm hospitality and traditional Cretan interiors. Of course, there are safe storage spaces for the bikes at all the hotels. Bookings are subject to availability. You will receive a hotel list and further detailed information about your tour before your trip begins.

Where does this trip start and end?
This trip starts in Palekastro and ends in Zaros. The nearest airport/ferry port is in Heraklion. The transfers between the airport/ferry port of Heraklion and the start/end point of the MTB tour are included in the tour price.

For more information, please refer to the detailed travel information that we will send to you before the start of the tour.

Is there a support vehicle?
This tour has an escort vehicle that runs some shuttles and also provides reliable luggage transport from hotel to hotel.

What language is the tour conducted in?
This MTB tour is offered exclusively in English.

Are changes to the tour itinerary possible?
Due to varying wind and weather conditions as well as organisational necessities, we reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary.

What meals and drinks are included in the basic tour price?
The daily breakfast in the respective hotels is included in the tour price. All other meals and drinks are not included.

How difficult are the bike tours?
The tours are moderate to demanding with mountainous stages between 25-46 mi./40-75 km in length and 2,295-5900 ft./700-1,800 m elevation gain.

The bike tours are adapted by our guides on-site to the weather conditions, schedule, and riding ability of the group. On the challenging bike days, there are options to shorten the tours and reduce the elevation metres (indicated as “alternative” in the tour itinerary).

The mountain bike terrain on Crete is as varied as the island’s landscapes: technically demanding single trails, which require corresponding riding skills, alternate with wide natural paths and quiet asphalt side roads. Pushing passages may be encountered, as some of the trails have a lot of loose rock.

Smart heads protect themselves - helmets are compulsory on our bike tours!
Helmets are compulsory on our bike tours. Please bring your own well-fitting helmet. If this is not possible, we will be happy to provide you with a rental helmet free of charge (reservation required).

Is this tour suitable for children?
In principle, we do not think that this tour is suitable for children. Young people with very good stamina, the necessary riding technique, and a minimum age of 16 years are however welcome on this tour.

Internet during the tour
Free WIFI is available in most of the accommodation as well as in some of the tavernas and cafes selected for lunch breaks.

Packing List - What to bring
As space in the transfer vehicle is limited, we ask you to travel with as little luggage as possible and to avoid hard suitcases.

The following list is only a guideline, which you can of course modify according to your own needs:

  • Cycling clothing incl. helmet
  • Rain jacket and/or windbreaker
  • Bike backpack
  • Arm and leg protectors
  • Casual clothes including a warm pullover or fleece jacket and comfortable shoes for the evenings
  • Swimwear and beach towel
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Personal water bottle

BASIC TOUR PRICE

1,350€ per person

INCLUDED SERVICES

  • 8-day Hotel & E-MTB tour on Crete
  • 7 nights in a double room in selected hotels with breakfast
  • Rental E-Hardtail MTB for 6 days of biking
  • 6 guided bike tours and sightseeing as per programme
  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
  • Transfer between Heraklion Airport and the hotel on arrival and departure day
  • All passenger transfers/bike shuttles during the tour as per itinerary

NOT INCLUDED

  • Journey to Heraklion
  • Travel cancellation and interruption insurance as well as international health insurance (please ensure that you are adequately insured)
  • All meals and drinks except breakfast
  • Entrance fees for individually visited sights
  • Beach towel (please bring your own if required)
  • Tips for guide and service staff

ADDITIONAL

  • Single room surcharge: 180 €/trip
  • Additional nights and further activities on Crete or in other areas of Greece: Extension suggestions and prices on request

Trip

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