Your itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Historical Exploration

We arrive in Chania, a picturesque town on Crete's northwest coast. Chania's port was a key Allied supply point during WWII, especially in the Battle of Crete. On May 20, 1941, German paratroopers landed here as part of Operation Mercury, their last major airborne assault of the war. After meeting our local team, we head to Hora Sfakion, stopping at the privately-owned Historical War Museum in Askifou, filled with WWII memorabilia. After checking into our hotel, we’ll have time for a quick swim before dinner.

Day 2: Coastal Trek to Anopoli

Our trek begins in Hora Sfakion, a village between the sea and the White Mountains. We hike along the coast to Loutro, a remote village once a pirate lair and later a hideout for Cretan resistance and British intelligence during WWII. We continue to Anopoli, passing ancient ruins, Venetian fortresses, and Byzantine churches. Approximate distance: 11 km; ascent: 900 m; descent: 350 m.

Day 3: Coastal Walk to Agia Roumeli

After leaving Anopoli, we take a short transfer to Agios Ioannis and follow a coastal track with stunning sea views. We rest at the ancient chapel of St. Paul, enjoying a cold drink and a swim. The trek ends in Agia Roumeli, one of Crete's wildest regions, where we can relax on the pebble beach. Approximate distance: 10 km; ascent: 14 m; descent: 779 m.

Day 4: Samaria Gorge Adventure

Starting in Agia Roumeli, we trek through the 16 km-long Samaria Gorge, famous for its breathtaking scenery and towering limestone cliffs. The gorge was a critical escape route during WWII. We’ll pass the "Iron Gates" and the Samaria Village, where the King of Greece hid in 1941. We finish at Xiloskalo and transfer to our guesthouse. Approximate distance: 16 km; ascent: 2222 m; descent: 987 m.

Day 5: Summit of Kouloule

Our challenge peaks as we ascend to Kouloule, 1631 m above sea level. The rocky path requires careful footing, but the panoramic views are worth the effort. After reaching the summit, we continue along the ridgeline to Kalergi Refuge for lunch, then descend to Samaria for our transfer back to the guesthouse. Approximate distance: 9 km; ascent: 1009 m; descent: 1009 m.

Day 6: Battle of Crete Sites

We visit key WWII sites, including Maleme and the Allied War Cemetery at Souda Bay, gaining a deeper understanding of the Battle of Crete and its lasting impact. The afternoon is free to explore Chania.

Day 7: Final Day in Chania

After breakfast, enjoy some last-minute exploring and shopping in Chania’s picturesque Venetian harbor before our final lunch together.

1631m above the sea level

This is a challenging trek due to the terrain, with parts that require careful footing and concentration because of the narrow paths. The GPX route shows several ascents and descents. Some sections of the coastal route are exposed, and if the weather is hot, it will feel particularly intense under the sun. The ascent of Koulous involves some low-level scrambling before reaching the summit. 

This trek is not at altitude, and standard travel insurance is required. It's worth mentioning that the trekking will take place in Crete.

Trek description – please note these timings are approximate:

Chora Sfakion to Loutro to Anoploi – 11km trek – approx. 5 – 6 hours

We leave Chora Sfakion after breakfast and follow the metal road for 2.5km (low traffic) to the start of the coastal trek. The first part of the trek follows paths that have been cut into the rock and are above the coastline. There are wires set into the rock to hold onto, there are some parts with loose rock and where you need to watch your footing.  Then descend to Sweet Water Bay, walk along the beach, if you dig down on the beach you will find freshwater which has come down from the white mountains. From here trek up towards the small Greek church, good for a water stop or lunch. From here descend to small cove and follow the coastline to Loutro village which is only accessible by boat or foot. Afternoon, from Loutro long and continual ascent towards the old Ottoman fort which is now a church. Final part from here is descent into the village of Anopoli.

Day 3 – Agios Ioannis to Agia Roumeli – 9.5km – approx. 5hrs

Depart Anopoli after breakfast and take a short transfer to Agios Ioannis via Aradena village, we drive over the gorge bridge. The route begins with a descent from Agios Ioannis towards the coastline. The beginning of the coastal route heads through pine forests that provide welcomed shade and then onto the pebble beach. Continue along the pebble beach towards the ancient chapel of St Paul.  There is a small café here (with a tiny white dog called Rambo) where there is a toilet and an opportunity to have a cold drink and a swim. The last part of the route is long the coastline, if it is sunny it is exposed and can feel very hot and can be hard going, there is a cave where you can stop for a water break before the last 2km approach to Agia Roumeli village. Walk up through the town and to the guesthouse. There are supermarkets and a few shops. There is the opportunity to have an early evening swim before dinner.

Day 4 – Samaria Gorge – 16km – approx. 6 – 7 hours

Depart on foot from Guesthouse to the start of the Samaria Gorge.  There aren’t many people going up the gorge so it lovely and quiet for the first half. Pass through the narrowest part of the Gorge via Iron Gates – there are no actual gates but it is one of the narrowest parts of the gorge. It is mostly in the shade and the river flows through the first part of the route before going underground. There are wooden bridges along the way to cross over. Samaria village is at the halfway point where there are toilets and spring water. The gorge Marshalls and a medic are based here. The route is fairly flat until the last 4km which are steep switch backs all the way to the exit gate. We will be collected by minibus and transfer to hotel in Omalos. NB - luggage is transferred by boat from Agia Roumeli and then car to hotel so may not arrive until 7.30pm, might be worth taking a change of clothes for arrival at Omalos. Gorge open from beginning of May to late October, sometimes it opens a few days late. It will shut if temperatures are 40 plus degrees or if there is heavy rain.

NB - Samiria Village is an old Ottoman settlement - last post for Greeks where they were told to resist the Germans. King George II of Greece and Government officials escaped from mainland Greece to Crete in April 1941 before the Germans invaded. They took shelter in Samaria village before being evacuated from Agia Roumeli to Alexandria  They had taken the gold from Greece with them but this was never found after they evacuated.

Day 5 – Kouloule Summit – 1631m – 9.5km – approx. 6hrs

Departing on foot from the guesthouse along the road for 500m before heading onto the old goat path up towards the ridgeline.  This is not a well defined path and needs careful footing along the rocky parts. It starts with a gentle ascent and then steepens, the route is marked by red dots. You need to really concentrate on this ascent route and pick your footing carefully.  As you approach the ridgeline there are impressive views across the Omalos plateau and over to the north coastline including Chania. There is a heart shaped reservoir in the centre of Omalos plateau. The Germans built a second airstrip (in addition to Malame), here they put the Cretans to work on the land to produce food for troops fighting campaigns in Africa. The final ascent up onto the ridge requires low level scrambling, you will need use of both hands and feet. There are plenty of places to grab hold of to help pull you up.  When you get onto the top of the ridge it can be windy and it is very uneven terrain, it is approx. 1km to the actual summit of Kouloule, time for photos before continuing along the ridgeline towards Kalergi Refuge. At the refuge there are tables and sheltered areas for lunch stop. There are incredible views across Samaria Gorge. I saw 4 vultures circling above. There is a toilet, this is a long drop that sits above Samaria gorge, probably the longest long drop ever! We follow the dirt track from the Refuge and pick up a track for the final descent to the Samaria entry/exit gate. We will be collected by minibus and transfer back to our guesthouse to collect luggage and then onward to travel to Chania. Approx an hour transfer to Chania, overnight in City Hotel or similar which is central and walking distance to the old town and harbour.

The team will meet our leader at the UK airport. Once flights are booked, we can confirm the airport, which will most likely be London Gatwick.

If anyone would prefer to meet in Crete, they will need to arrive by midday on September 8th

Once flights are booked, we can confirm the airport, which will most likely be London Gatwick.

If anyone would prefer to book their own flights, please let us know beforehand.

International and domestic travel, accommodation, food, snacks, guided trek with ABF staff, a local guide and a historian, celebratory meal at the end of the trek. 

The minimum age is 18 for the Frontline Walk. There is no upper age limit, but if you are over 65 at the start of the Walk you will need a doctor’s note from your GP confirming you are fit and healthy and there is no medical reason that you should not take part in the Walk.

If anyone has pre-existing medical conditions, they will need to ensure they can obtain travel insurance coverage.

They should also prepare for the trek and ensure they are fit for trekking.

The total fundraising target is £3,400 and the deadline is the 8th September 2024. 

You must have raised £2,000 of this by the 30th June 2025 to confirm your spot on the event. 

ABF covers your travel, accommodation and food, plus other expenses such as medical cover and support staff. We ask you to have raised £2000 by the 30th June to ensure these costs are covered.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to take part.

We will do everything we can to help you raise the minimum sponsorship but failure to do so may prevent you from taking part in future events for ABF.

Gift Aid is not included in minimum sponsorship targets.

Yes, absolutely – it can make your fundraising target easier to meet if you fundraise together. You can even have a team fundraising page. Just remember that the sponsorship target is per person, so if your individual target is £3,400 and you fundraise as a pair, you’ll need to raise £6,800 together.

Many companies will match up to 100% of the donations you collect. Each company has a different policy and so please contact your HR or CSR teams to find out more.

Yes, simply order your materials from this link - Fundraising Resources.