My Review of the 2025 Rethymno eBike Tour on Mili Gorge

So, I was looking for something a bit different to do during my stay in Crete, you know? The beautiful beaches are, of course, a huge draw, but honestly, I was craving a little adventure that wouldn’t leave me feeling like I needed another holiday straight away. It’s pretty much how I stumbled upon the ‘Rethymno eBike Tour on Mili Gorge and soft drinks!’, and frankly, the idea just sounded right. The eBike concept was really what caught my eye; it’s basically a promise of getting out into the incredible Cretan landscape without the need to have the legs of a professional cyclist. I mean, the whole point of a holiday is to have fun, right?

I just wanted to see some authentic parts of the island, feel the sun, and, at the end of the day, create a memory that was more than just sand and sea. As it turns out, this particular outing was almost exactly what I was searching for. It tends to be a perfect mix of light activity, history, and stunning natural views, all wrapped up in a few hours. Anyway, let me tell you about how it all went, because if you are thinking about it, you probably want to know what it is actually like from someone who has just done it.

First Impressions: Getting Set Up with the eBike

The morning of the tour, I felt a little mix of excitement and, to be honest, a tiny bit of apprehension. I can ride a bicycle, of course, but it had been a while, and the ‘e’ part was a completely new thing for me. We met our guide, who was immediately very friendly and clearly knew his stuff, which definitely helped put my mind at ease. The bikes themselves were, in a way, much more solid-looking than I expected, with chunky tires that seemed ready for any kind of path. Actually, they looked really professional and well-maintained.

Our guide, for instance, took a good amount of time to explain how everything worked, which I really appreciated. He showed us the gears, like on a normal bike, and then the main event: the little digital display and buttons that control the electric assist. It’s basically a system that gives you a gentle push as you pedal, and you can sort of choose how much help you want. You could pick a low setting for flat ground or, as we would find out later, a higher one for the hills. Seriously, after a quick five-minute safety talk and a little practice ride in a quiet area, I felt completely ready to go. The initial nervousness pretty much vanished and was replaced with a feeling of “okay, let’s do this”.

The Ride Begins: From Rethymno’s Outskirts into Nature

Setting off was, frankly, a joy. We cycled through the quieter outskirts of Rethymno, and it was actually amazing how quickly the town sounds faded away, replaced by the gentle whir of our bikes and the chirping of cicadas. This is, you know, the Crete you see in pictures. We were soon on these lovely country lanes, surrounded on both sides by groves of olive trees, some of which looked ancient with their gnarled and twisted trunks. The air itself just felt different out there; you could really smell the wild herbs like thyme and oregano growing on the side of the path.

This is where the eBike started to show its real magic. There were some gentle, rolling hills on this part of the route, and I remember thinking, “alright, here we go.” I just pushed the button to give myself a little more electric assistance, and honestly, the bike just seemed to float up the incline. It’s an incredibly strange and wonderful feeling; you are still pedaling, still doing some work, but that tough, leg-burning strain is, like, completely gone. Instead, you can actually look around, chat with the others in the group, and just soak in the incredible scenery of the Cretan countryside passing by. It was surprisingly peaceful and, in a way, almost effortless.

Discovering the Lost World of Mili Gorge

After a very pleasant ride, we finally arrived at the entrance to Mili Gorge. By the way, ‘Mili’ actually means ‘mills’ in Greek, and that’s the whole story of this place. We left our bikes securely locked up and started to make our way down into the gorge on foot. It was literally like stepping into a different world. The temperature dropped a little, the air felt cooler, and everything was incredibly green and lush, with a little stream burbling along the bottom of the path. It was so, so quiet, apart from the sounds of nature. You really got a sense of being away from it all.

As we walked, our guide pointed out the ruins of the old watermills that are kind of scattered all through the gorge. Apparently, this little valley was once a totally industrious place, with nearly 30 mills working day and night to grind grain for the city of Rethymno. You can just about imagine the noise and the activity, but now, the stone buildings are being slowly reclaimed by nature, with plants and fig trees growing out of the walls. It gives the whole area a feeling that is almost mystical, like you’ve discovered a secret, forgotten village. We even peeked into a tiny, very old chapel built right into the rock face. It’s arguably one of the most unique and historically rich places I have visited in Crete.

A Well-Deserved Break and That Cretan Hospitality

After our walk through the historic gorge, climbing back up the path to our bikes felt like a bit of an achievement, you know? It’s not a difficult walk at all, but in the warm Cretan air, a little break was definitely welcome. This is where the ‘soft drinks!’ part of the tour name came into play, and frankly, it couldn’t have been timed better. Our guide led us to a small, charming taverna with a shaded terrace that had a view that was just something else, looking out over the landscape we had just cycled through. That experience, I mean, was just perfect.

Sitting there, with a nice cold drink in hand, was just a great moment to relax and reflect on the first part of the trip. This stop wasn’t just about the drink, obviously. It felt more like a genuine moment of Cretan hospitality. The guide shared some more stories about the local area and life in the villages, and we all just chatted in a really relaxed way. It’s often these simple moments, more or less, that make a tour feel personal and special. It’s not just about seeing the sights; it’s about connecting with a place just a little bit. Anyway, that refreshment was exactly what we needed before hopping back on our eBikes for the final leg of our little expedition.

The Effortless Ride Back and Final Thoughts

The journey back to Rethymno was, to be honest, just as enjoyable as the ride out. With the hard work of walking the gorge done and a refreshing drink enjoyed, getting back on the eBike felt amazing. Any slight inclines we met on the way back were, basically, no trouble at all. I just turned up the assistance level a little, and it felt like I had a friendly, invisible hand giving me a gentle push. It’s pretty much the best way to travel because you can completely focus on the stunning views, which, on the way back, often included glimpses of the bright blue sea in the distance.

So, who is this tour for? Honestly, I think it’s for pretty much anyone who can ride a bike and wants to see a part of Crete beyond the tourist centers. It’s absolutely perfect for couples, solo travelers, or even families with teenagers. You really don’t need to be in amazing physical shape; you just need a sense of adventure. It’s a way to cover a good amount of ground, see things you would definitely miss in a car, and get some light exercise without it ever feeling like hard work. As a matter of fact, it was one of the highlights of my trip to Crete, and it’s something I’ve already recommended to other people I’ve met. It’s a genuinely wonderful way to spend half a day.

Read our full review: [Rethymno eBike Tour Mili Gorge 2025: A Review Full Review and Details]

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