On the roof of the ridge: Psiloritis

This is an unusual hike in Crete to its highest peak. Most guidebooks describe a fairly long hike starting from the Nida plateau. After talking to local residents, we tried a shorter route. If you want breathtaking 360° views of the sea, this hike is for you, provided you are fit and have good hiking experience.

Details

n°1181994

Creation:
25 May 2018

Last update:
24 Oct 2025

Last review:
23 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.13 mi
Average duration: 4h 55
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 2,897 ft
Descent: - 2,897 ft
Highest point: 8,031 ft
Lowest point: 5,121 ft

Country: Greece
Start/End: N 35.241515° / E 24.778172°
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Description of the walk

Drive to the village of Livadia (not Livada, which is nearby). Continue by car to the Migerou Refuge via a 12 km paved road (about 30 minutes). There is a large car park where you can easily park.

(S/E) Start the hike on a well-marked trail that climbs southeast. The slope is quite steep and the trail winds through fairly low vegetation.

(1) Climb the stony slope; the path is marked (sometimes) by small white metal flags.

(2) As you gain height, the trail is paved with flat stones, sometimes forming steps.

(3) At the first three-way junction at around 2100/2200 metres, turn right and head west up the slope. The path, which is still visible, becomes rocky.

(4) At a second three-way junction, join the European walking route E4 (European Walking route E4, Greece, Crete), still heading west (slightly to the right). This path is marked with two red dots.

(5) Climb up the rocky slope, following the two red dots.

(6) Walk along a paved path at the beginning, approaching the ridge.

(7) Pass a metal structure on the left (probably the support for an old sign). The E4 path branches off to the left towards the south-east. Do not follow it (do not follow the two red dots anymore) but continue climbing slightly to the right, still almost on the ridge.
Arrive at Psiloritis where there is a small chapel.

(8) To return, take the path back up in the opposite direction and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,135 ft - Migerou Refuge
1 : mi 0.13 - alt. 5,167 ft - Rocky slope
2 : mi 0.25 - alt. 5,266 ft - Marked with white metal flags.
3 : mi 1.48 - alt. 7,283 ft - Rocky trail
4 : mi 1.56 - alt. 7,415 ft - Trail marked in red.
5 : mi 1.7 - alt. 7,556 ft - Climb up the side of the slope.
6 : mi 1.96 - alt. 7,621 ft - Ridge
7 : mi 2.32 - alt. 7,874 ft - Metal structure
8 : mi 2.52 - alt. 8,028 ft - Summit: Psiloritis
S/E : mi 5.13 - alt. 5,135 ft - Migerou Refuge

Notes

We did this hike at the end of May. There were a few snowfields. Before that, you are likely to encounter snow. From the beginning of June onwards, it is likely to be too hot.
In any case, bring plenty of water as there is no shade along the route. Also bring warm clothing as it can be cold and windy.
Only attempt this climb if you are sure the weather will be clear and sunny.

Worth a visit

At the summit, there is a small traditional stone chapel and the view is breathtaking.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5

Route interest
4.7 / 5

14Dan

23 Oct 2025 at 15:55 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Duration, distance and difficulty as described in the information sheet On the roof of the ridge: PSILORITIS.
From the start to the middle of the hike (before point 3), be sure to follow the red dots and lines, as the multitude of turns can sometimes cause you to stray off course; in good weather, it is easy to find your way back to the path.
At point 3, at the junction with the E4 path, leave the large cairns on your left and head right; you can see the summit of Psiloritis in the distance. The Peaklens app confirmed the direction.
We did the hike in good weather, but clouds coming in from the south enveloped us at the summit after we arrived. So we descended back to the pass to eat and find the sun again.
The return journey is all downhill, and it is important to remain very vigilant throughout.

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User 27500675

02 Oct 2025 at 17:18 7200 • Edited: 02 Oct 2025 at 17:19 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route matches the description well, and the view is magnificent.

However, do not plan on using the Migerou refuge, which is a complete mess, and bring good camping equipment/tent if you want to spend the night at the top. Very windy. The little church is also in a terrible state.

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froment-e

23 Oct 2023 at 09:21 7200 • Edited: 23 Oct 2023 at 09:30 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

As described
Not many E4 posts left, but you can see the chapel at the summit long before you reach it. The route is obvious in good weather.
Allow a good two hours for the climb and set off early as it gets cloudy quickly (hike done in early October)
To get to the start quickly, I recommend staying at the Psiloritis Retreat Chalet (5 km from the refuge): a superb renovated building with a great atmosphere
Another nice and more physically demanding summit: Gingilos (same starting point as the Samaria Gorge)

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Biquette68

17 Jul 2023 at 14:03 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Quite a difficult hike due to the significant elevation gain. No shade throughout the hike and very windy on the last 500 metres. Bring a windbreaker! However, the reward is well worth it, with breathtaking 360-degree views!

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EstelleKbs

27 Jun 2022 at 11:55 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, with no difficulties whatsoever (except for the wind at the summit)! The view is magnificent.
It will remain one of our fondest memories of Crete.

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kitesman14

05 Oct 2021 at 09:02 7200

It's always a fond memory... especially since the trail was very quiet (as we set off early in the morning...).
Best regards

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REIDREV

04 Oct 2021 at 11:54 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant route to the refuge with a few slowdowns due to herds of goats...
Clear skies and magnificent views at the summit.
Hike without any particular difficulty, with a very stony path.
The trail is very easy to follow.

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Odysseas13

09 Dec 2019 at 13:04 3600

Hello
The characters used on road signs in Crete, Greece and Cyprus (Greek part) are Greek. Cyrillic is used in the CIS, Bulgaria, Serbia, etc.
Kind regards
Μιχάλης

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kitesman14

16 Sep 2019 at 21:42 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant hike, more so than the car journey to reach the starting point (small roads, signs in Cyrillic, goats and sheep on the last few kilometres...).
In fact, the trail is easy to follow and very logical, after checking the map and visually, in "normal" conditions.
From the starting point – the MIGEROU refuge – the markings are more than sufficient and there is no room for confusion (unless you want to do a little more "rock climbing").
It takes two hours to reach the summit and its dry stone chapel, and 1 hour 45 minutes to descend, without really pushing the pace (I'm not as young as I used to be...).

Departure at 6:55 a.m. The weather was fine on Psiloritis but more or less overcast in the surrounding valleys. A few patches of light fog on the way up. Slightly obscured view on the south and north sides.
Summit at 8:50 a.m. / Return to the car park at 10:40 a.m., including a good stop at the summit to enjoy the view (being alone...).
A GOOD CRETAN GETAWAY...

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