Crete: Samaria Gorge, White Mountains and south coast - 7-9 day huts and villages via E4

Note: This trek relies on 3 mountain huts (called shelters) that belong to the Greek Mountaineering club of Chania: https://www.eoshanion.gr/en/refuges/chania-shelters-en
Only the first one (Kallergis) is open to the public April-October. The other huts require participating in a group lead by a club member as a guide. If you're not, you can still use a back room that remains open at each shelter, but lacks any services (bedding, food, water, heating).
An easier version of this trek that does not rely on any huts: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/crete-4-gorges-samaria-agia-irini-imbros-and-aradena-4-7-day-village-to-village-via-e4-42551368

A circular multi-day trek combining some of Crete's hiking highlights: Samaria Gorge, White Mountains (Lefka Ori Massif), Sfakia Gorge, and the picturesque south coast. Walking the circuit clockwise as described means walking up Samaria Gorge (recommended by experienced hikers). Walking counter-clockwise means walking down Samaria gorge (also popular), and enables skipping Sfakia Gorge ascent by using transport on the parallel tarmac road (from Chora Sfakion village at 50m to Imbros village at 800m or to Petres even higher up).

Day 1: Fly to Chania (CHQ) on the Greek island of Crete. Take a 40km taxi or bus (twice daily) to Omalos village (1050m). Ascend 600m over 4 km to Kallergis shelter (hut) at 1600m.
Day 2: From Kallergis shelter across the White Mountains to Katsivelli shelter (hut) at 1900m. 12km +600m total.
Day 3: From Katsivelli shelter across the White Mountains to Katafigio Tavri shelter (hut) at 1200m. 15km -1000m total.
Day 4: From Katafigio Tavri shelter via a couple of villages to Imbros village at 800m. 11km -400m total.
Day 5: From Imbros village via Sfakia Gorge to Chora Sfakion village at 50m. 14km +300m -1100m total.
Day 6: From Chora Sfakion village via nice beaches to Loutro village. 6km +/-100m total. If skipping day 8 then don't stay in Loutro and continue by ferry to Agia Roumeli village. A tougher alternative route: via Ilinga Gorge and the authentic village of Anopolis (11km +/-500m).
Day 7 (optional): Loutro circuit - Anopolis village and the complete Aradhena Gorge. 16km +/-800m total. This day can be skipped entirely.
Day 8 (optional): From Loutro village via south Crete beaches and pine slopes to Agia Roumeli village. 14km +/-100m total. This day can be skipped by taking a ferry (twice daily) from Loutro to Agia Roumeli: https://www.sfakia-crete.com/sfakia-crete/ferries.html and http://nenkritis.gr/
Day 9: From Agia Roumeli village up Samaria Gorge to Omalos village (1050m). 18km total +1200m.
Day 10 (optional): Walk from Omalos via Agia Irini Gorge down to Sougia on the south coast. 20 km -1200m total.