View of Kournas Lake – Lake Kournas loop from Lake Kourna

Hiking trails & Routes

Greece

Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Χανίων

View of Kournas Lake – Lake Kournas loop from Lake Kourna

Moderate

4.4

(116)

373

hikers

View of Kournas Lake – Lake Kournas loop from Lake Kourna

02:59

8.59km

440m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

137 m

The tour was really great; but :
One should mention that the indicated difficulty level "moderate" is a matter of opinion. The ascent was rather strenuous. They are not proper hiking trails, but a well-marked route through rocks. The descent was technically easier but no less strenuous. Take plenty of water with you. At least. 2 small bottles per person. And you should be reasonably fit. Fear of heights is also not particularly recommended.
Otherwise, a great adventure.

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6.78 km

View of Lake Kournas

Highlight • Viewpoint

Photo from the very back

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Tip by

7.36 km

View of Lake Kournas

Highlight • Viewpoint

The lake is a tip for young and old!

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7.68 km

Tavernas on Lake Kournas

Highlight • Restaurant

Very nice restaurants right on the lake with a very nice view of the lake. The price is still quite reasonable. Prices between €12-18.

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7.73 km

Beach at Lake Kournas

Highlight • Beach

Lake Kournas is the only natural freshwater lake on the Greek island of Crete. It is located in western Crete, near the north coast, near Georgioupolis. The lake's outflow empties into the Mediterranean Sea near Georgioupolis. Turtles and snakes are said to live in the lake. You can also swim here or rent a pedal boat for an hour (€15). There are restaurants serving meals between €10 and €18.

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7.96 km

Lake Kournas

Highlight • Lake

The only freshwater lake on the island. Boat rental and great mountain views. Close to the National Road

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8.20 km

Lake Kournas

Highlight • Lake

The turtles of the species "Trachemys scripta" (with a red dot on the neck) come from the pet trade and pose a threat to the local ecosystem (haniotika-nea.gr/apiles-gia-to-ikosistima/)

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8.59 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.61 km

2.24 km

1.41 km

331 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.44 km

1.99 km

1.42 km

492 m

252 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (440 m)

Lowest point (20 m)

Weather

Monday 2 November

20°C

13°C

60 %

Additional weather tips

There’s a fairly high chance of rain. Consider packing a waterproof jacket.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

October 3, 2023,😍😍😍DIE😍😍😍 Kournas-See🚶‍♂️-Runde

We had already hiked to Lake Kournas twice this time. However, I was drawn to the mountains opposite. There is no way there on the map. Neither at Komoot nor at Maps😒
The last time I saw a map with routes from “Chania Trails” was at the lake. AND there was actually a round.😍😃
Today I ran it
😃😃
Mostly …

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May 18, 2026,Rund um den Kournassee

It was supposed to be just a short loop around the lake. But the 8.5 km were already very strenuous, but beautiful. The time indication and thus the speed are somehow not right. We were on the go for almost 5.5 hours.

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September 12, 2026,Activity

Very hard as it was too hot for this activity. But we did it though we are 65 years "young"! Some very hard and dangerous spots!

April 10, 2025,Wanderung

Unfortunately, the recording stopped after the first kilometer, so these are missing. The start is where the end point is.

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June 1, 2023,Wanderung mit Bergtour um den Kournas-See

The tour around the lake turns into a strenuous mountain tour on the back. Here fitness is required when climbing over rocks and stone fields. At the end of the gorge, we continue across a "meadow" towards the summit. At the stables further left up the path. Then in a wide arc downhill into the valley to the lake. Over …

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May 27, 2025,Blick auf den Kournas See – Kournas See Runde von Kavros

It's definitely recommended to wear sturdy shoes. Long pants, if possible, as the plants almost always prick you along the path. The parking lot at the beginning is actually free 😉.

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May 14, 2025,Um den Kournas See (rot-weiß)

Free parking is available at the tavern. The trail is well marked with red and white signs on trees and rocks.

Hiking boots and hiking poles are required. The ascent is challenging. Some sections require climbing on hands and feet. At one point, a rock face must be overcome using a safety chain. Hiking poles are helpful on the descent.

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June 3, 2025,Uitzicht op het Kournas-meer – Kournas See rondtocht vanuit Καβρός

It really is a beautiful route. You simply can't go wrong. The red and white stripes. They are very well indicated everywhere. Kudos to the painter.
It is not a walking tour but a hiking.

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