Mountain Biking in Crete

You may wish to explore part of this lovely island by mountain bike during your stay with us. We have a couple of rental bikes available for our guests, or you can rent locally from Rethymno. (See below for details of hire). Once you have arranged your bike hire, a couple of options are available to you:

We have recently mapped out 5 MTB trails, all of which leave from the front gate at Footscapes. Trails are between 14 and 25 miles long, with varying levels of ascent/descent (about 2500 feet is average) and route instructions are available to our guests for self - guiding. Most of the trails are circular, one is linear, and for this one, we can help you with return transport at the end. Trails are mainly on 4 x 4 dirt roads, used by local shepherds, but you will find that access issues simply don't exist on Crete - go off, explore and have fun!

For each trail, we will provide you with comprehensive route notes which are intended to be used in conjunction with a GPS unit .

We will provide you (free of charge!) with the loan of a cycle mounted GPS unit pre - loaded with the trail(s) of your choice. Although we don't charge clients for use of our GPS units, we do ask for a security deposit against potential damage - please see our GPS guidance notes for details:

   Click picture for terms of GPS loan.

We have a pair of GT Aggressors (18 inch/medium) available for rental to our guests at 10 Euros per day, per bike. These are suitable for moderate XC use, and come equipped with pump, lock, helmet and a spare inner tube. You can combine the hire of our bikes with a loan GPS unit and explore the local countryside right from the front gate at Footscapes.

Please note that our bikes are not designed for full on downhill antics, so if you want to tackle something a little more demanding, you will need to rent a bike more suited to the job. See below for details of how/where to hire.

                                                                                                                                                                        Our bikes:

If you are feeling particularly energetic, you might wish to try out our self - guided trails, along with a day or two taking in some longer guided tours operated locally by some friends of ours.

These guided MTB tours are available from Olympic Bike Travel (click to visit their website). Tours take in some of the most beautiful parts of the island, and come in 2 levels: Level I being easiest, Level II rather more strenuous.       

If you simply wish to have a few days bike hire without guiding while at Footscapes, we can easily arrange this using bikes either from Olympic Bike Travel or from Nikos Galanis (see below). Bikes can usually be delivered to Footscapes and collected from here at the end of the hire period - all you have to do is ride them out of the front gate and enjoy the scenery!

Please note that we only arrange bike hire or tours for clients staying in Footscapes' studios. If  you are not staying here and wish to arrange this yourself whilst staying in the Rethymno area, please contact either Olympic Bike Travel or Nikos Galanis directly.

Bike hire from Nikos Galanis: Hardtails from Eur 14/day, Full Suspension from Eur 20/day.

                                            (30) 28310 51008 bicycles@otenet.gr

We strongly advise advance booking of bikes or tours to ensure availability during your stay at Footscapes - please enquire using the "Contact Us" link.