Forever Active Adventure
Hiking Crete
2026 Adventure Postponed to 2027
Postponing Our 2026 Forever Active Adventure
Last Updated: May 11, 2026
To our Forever Active community,
I am reaching out today to share some important news regarding our upcoming adventure to Crete, originally scheduled for September 2026.
After closely monitoring the current global situation, including the increasing frequency of canceled internal flights within Europe and reported fuel shortages, I have made the difficult decision to postpone our Forever Active Adventure for 2026.
This was not a decision I made lightly. However, my primary priority is always the well-being and safety of our group. As many of you know, there are no direct flights from Vancouver to Athens; navigating the necessary European connections currently presents too much uncertainty. I simply do not want to risk anyone becoming stranded or facing significant travel disruptions while trying to reach our destination.
By making this call now, I hope to give everyone enough time to adjust your plans for the remainder of the year. While I am disappointed that we won’t be trekking through Crete this September, the current environment introduces more risk than I am comfortable with for our community.
What this means for you:
- Refunds: All deposits have been fully refunded on May 11, 2026.
- Priority for 2027: We will be revisiting our plans for 2027 later this fall. All 2026 registrants will receive immediate priority access for our next scheduled adventure.
Our hope is that by then, global circumstances will have settled down, providing us all with more travel certainty. Thank you so much for your understanding and for being such a vital part of Forever Active.
With gratitude,
Uli
Trip Overview
Join us for the 2026 Forever Active Adventure, where we will explore the rugged landscapes and hidden gems of Crete. This active journey takes you from the historic streets of Chania into the heart of the White Mountains. We will trek through ancient gorges, walk along secret coastal paths accessible only by foot or boat, and experience the authentic, slow-paced charm of traditional Cretan life. To bring this vision to life, we have partnered exclusively with G Adventures. By combining our community spirit with their decades of expertise and world-class track record in small-group travel, we’ve ensured an itinerary that is as seamless as it is unforgettable.
Spaces Remaining: 4
Travel Style: Active (Hiking focused)
Service Level: Standard (Authentic local hotels)
Group Size: Max 14
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Dates: September 20-26, 2026 (Postponed to 2027)
Price: CAD TBD Per Person
My Own Room: (single supplement) CAD TBD per person. Maximum 2 spots available.
Itinerary
Day 1: Chania
Arrive at any time. Meet your experienced local hiking guide, at tonight's welcome meeting. Head out for an optional dinner with the group.
Welcome Moment
Your opportunity to meet your group leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2: Agia Irini Gorge
Travel inland to the White Mountains, known to Cretans as Lefka Ori. Hike through the narrow Agia Irini Gorge, lush with ancient trees and a wide variety of plants. Transfer to the Omalos plateau, elevated over 1000m above the plains. Tonight, sit back and enjoy the evening breeze - the quiet broken, occasionally, by a goat's bell.
Hike to Agia Irini Gorge: Agía Iríni, 3h30m, 7km
Begin your hike through the White Mountains at the entrance to Agia Irini Gorge. The trail winds through areas of humidity and shade, with a large clearing halfway up graced by gigantic, ancient plane trees. Notice the wide variety of plants as you continue, ending the trek at Agia Irini village.
Day 3: Omalós/Agia Roumeli
Set off to hike the famous and spectacular Samariá Gorge, the longest in Europe and a highlight of any visit to Crete. Continue to the south coast and the town of Agia Roumeli, with its fine pebble beach and clear turquoise waters.
Hike to Samaria Gorge: Omalós – Agia Roumeli, 6h30m, 16km
Lace up your boots for a full-day hike though Samaria Gorge. Follow the path over trickling streams and through forests of pine to reach the "Iron Gates" — the narrowest part of the gorge, where the rocks on either side are 300m high. If we're lucky, we may spot a griffon vulture, wild goat, or maybe even a golden eagle. Descend to the coast town of Agia Roumeli.
Day 4: Agia Roumeli/Loutro
Head out on a beautiful coastal walk framed by the landscape of southern Crete. In the village of Marmara, opt to have lunch at a taverna overlooking the sea.
Hike to St. Pavlos and Marmara: Agia Roumeli – Mármara. 4h30m, 11km
With an early start, head past rocky shingle beaches to reach the picturesque chapel of St. Paul, said to mark the place where he first landed on Crete. Next to the chapel, stop by a unique freshwater spring. Continue to the beach of Marmara.
Day 5: Loutro
Enjoy a free day in the tiny fishing village of Loutro, accessible only from the sea or through hiking trails. Opt to spend the day in town, or head back towards Marmara to hike the Aradena Gorge. Tonight, sit down for a farewell dinner with Cretan food and a local house wine drink. Afterwards, enjoy some Greek dancing!
Local Cretan Family-style Dinner
Enjoy a local family-style dinner and feast on Cretan dishes, toasting with a homegrown drink called "tsikoudia".
Day 6: Loutro/Chania
Follow a coastal path towards Sfakia, where the mountains meet the sea. Stop for a swim at Glyka Nera, also known as Sweetwater Beach. This afternoon, transfer back to Chania.
Hike to Sfakia: Loutro – Sfakiá, 3h, 7km
Trek through pebbled paths and steep rock faces that overlook the deep blue sea on a beautiful stretch of coastal trails.
Day 7: Chania
Final breakfast with the group and departure at any time.
Requirements & Cancellations
Essential Trip Requirements
- Mandatory Travel Insurance: All travelers must have Emergency Medical Insurance covering both emergency evacuation and repatriation to a minimum of $200,000 USD. We also strongly recommend an all-inclusive plan that covers trip cancellation and interruption.
- Airfare Advisory: Please do not book international airfare until we have confirmed the group has met the 8-passenger minimum for a guaranteed departure. We will update everyone on July 13th, 2026 with the confirmaton status.
- Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond our return date of September 26, 2026.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
We have structured our cancellation policy to offer flexibility while ensuring the group’s departure is secured.
- Up to July 10, 2026: Your $350 deposit is fully refundable if you need to cancel for any reason.
- After July 10, 2026: The $350 deposit becomes non-refundable as it is used to lock in group services and accommodations.
- 30–59 Days Prior to Departure: Cancellation will result in a 50% loss of the final payment.
- Within 30 Days of Departure: Cancellation will result in a 100% loss of the final payment; no refunds will be issued at this stage.
