The mountaineering and skiing club of Iraklion, was established in 1940 and is a member of the association of mountaineering clubs of Greece. Today the club has over 200 active members. The activities of the club include mountain climbing , cross country walking, skiing. Almost every weekend, the club organizes excursions to various locations in Crete, that attract a lot of followers from outside the club.

The Mountainering Club of Hania was established in 1930 and is a member of the association of Greek Mountaineering Clubs. The club is actively maintaining the European mountaineering path E4 which starts from Portugal and ends in Kato Zakros in Crete. The activities of the club include mountain climbing, skiing, canoing down the rivers in the Western Crete, speleology and more. Also the club organized the first mountain bike race in Crete in 1993 and intends to organize more races.

This is my log of the E4 long distance walk along the spine of Crete from East to West - it is intended to be a useful resource for others who are contemplating a similar walk along the E4 in Crete; it is not intended in any way to be a complete route guide.

Kallérgi Mountain Refuge is located on the western region of Crete, above the plateau of Omalos, in the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) mountain range at an altitude of 1680 metres. The site is of unique natural beauty and commands great views to the surrounding peaks and the gorge of Samaria. It can be accessed by car or on foot (1 1/2 hour) via the 5km long dirt road from Omalos. The refuge can accommodate up to 50 people. It features a fully equipped kitchen, a lodge with fire place and wood burning stoves, toilets (indoors and outdoors) and a camping area. Electricity is supplied by a generator.
Kalergi refuge operates throughout the year (from November to March only on weekends)
For more information please visit:Mountaineering Club of Hania

Prinos refuge at Prinos on Psiloritis mountain (Ida), is at 1100 metres. It can sleep 25 people, it has cooking facilities, two wood burning stoves for heating and a rainwater tank. Access is through the village of Ano Assites in Malevizi around 22km from Iraklion. From there a two kilometres of dirt road leads to a place called Melisses and then a one-and-a-half hour walk along a footpath signed with red marks, to the refuge.
Prinos hut was built in 1962 and was renovated around 1992. It is run by the mountaineering club of Heraklion. The view from Prinos to the north and east is great.