Samaria Gorge, Crete Island

The Somaria Gorge is the most famous hike in Crete, and for good reason. Get to the top of the mountain on a bus, wear adequate footwear for the rocky terrain, and begin. The hike isn't really strenuous, its all downhill, but the sheer duration and length makes it wearing after awhile. A little over halfway through you'll hit the "Iron Gates" where the rocky walls close to within 3meters of each other-what a site! This offers truly spectacular views and a rewarding dip in the Libyan Sea at the very end of the hike in the small town of Agia Roumeli. From there you can grab some fresh squeezed orange juice, food, and a ferry ride back to Chania.

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The Samaria Gorge is 16 km long, starting at an altitude of 1250m and taking you all the way down to the shores of the Libyan sea in Agia Roumeli. The walk through the National Park of Samaria is 13 km (but you will have to walk the extra 3 km to Agia Roumeli from the exit of the National Park)..

The park is supervised by the Department of Forestry and the gorge is generally open only from the beginning of May to the end of October. In winter, high water makes the gorge dangerous and impassable. It will also be closed on rainy days (too dangerous because of rock falls)

The problem with Samaria is the crowds. It has become one of the" musts" if you go to Crete and there are up to 3000 visitors a day on very busy days. If you have the bad luck to pick one of those days, the atmosphere will be really spoilt. Starting at dawn (before the tourist coaches arrive) will give you a bit of a head start.

It is possible to find good (and cheap) accommodation in Omalos. The first tourist buses arrive at around 7.30 am and from then on it is an uninterrupted stream of buses until about 11.00 am.
You can also start walking after 12.00, there won't be many people but you will most probably need to spend the night in Agia Roumeli because the last boat out will have left when you get there.

As far as the times of the year are concerned, the best time is in the spring: the weather is still cool and the vegetation is at its best. The worst time is in the middle of the summer during a heat wave.

If you are a real adventurer, try spending the night in Agia Roumeli and walk back up the gorge the following morning. Just be sure you have transportation or lodging waiting for you at the top because public transportation to Chania is hit or miss.

Things to bring: WATER, SUNSCREEN, TRAIL MIX, Hiking Boots, Blister Kit.

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If you are bored of baking under sunrays or want to test your strength than I strongly recommend you to give one day to Samaria gorge. Of corse it's not so easy to wake up at 04:00a.m, especially when you are on holidays. But belive me it's worth. Picturesque views, great mood and new company is quaranted. Before going there be sure that you have appropriate shoes, clothes, enough food and water, and the main thing - leave all your health problems at home - 16km in mountains is not a joke ;)

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Plan your visit in the Samaria Gorge before entering the National Park. I started very early in the morning. I took the first bus from Chania going to the Samaria National Park. The bus ride lasts about 90 minutes and the higher the bus goes the frisher the air is. The landscapes are very dramatic and beautiful in the morning sun.
You have to pay 5 Euros entrance fee. The path is very good sighned and it is impossible to get lost. The path is very stony and sometimes hard but very safe. The whole way is mostly shadowed. Is not so very hot if you start early. If you enjoy twalking and hike slowly shooting a lot of pictures you need 4 or 5 hours to reach the exit in Agia Roumeli. The gorge is 18 km long. Take good shoes.
The ferry to Chora Sfakion leaves at 5.45 p.m. You can have enough time to take dinner or to swim in clear dark blue waters.

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At first it may sound intimidating to walk such a distance in an isolated area where there is no other way out but to walk. But there is plenty of time to complete it and the scenery is really worth the while. Plus there is an extra bonus of good feeling when you complete it and go for a refreshing swim in a Libyan Sea. Next day you’ll feet or even the whole body will ache but you’ll still feel that it was worth it.
You can find few pointers on the web, about what to bring etc
You’ll also get pointers from your guide. If you live in Hania then it’s worth going on your own as you’ll save much on the bus fare and there is no need for guide anyway.
Happy walking!

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On your trip down Samaria Gorge pay special attention to those fantastic pieces of unique flora. Unfortunately I was unable to take as many picture as I wished.

Some of the flowers, bushes and trees can be seen only in Samaria Gorge.

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It's a real adventure travel :)

The Gorge of Samaria is the largest one of its kind in Europe. The walk takes approximately 7 hours (including short stops) and is quite extensive. You just have to take good trekking shoes as there is no other way out than on your own feet. Please consider leaving kids at home.

You will spend 7 hours viewing incredibly beautiful nature of Samaria and at the end you'll take a short trip by vessel to the nearest city.

43 km from the city of Chania, this is the longest gorge in Europe, measuring some 18 kilometers and well-known for its awesome beauty.

At some points the passage is just 3 meters wide and at times the steep sides rise to a height of 600 meters. The gorge is cut by a stream which flows between the highest peak of the White Mountains and the mountain of Volikas.

Hiking down the gorge is permitted from May to the end of October, depending on the weather. At the entrance to the gorge, at Xiloskalo there is a tourist pavilion with a view of majestic mountain of Gigolos (alt. 2,083 m.). On leaving the gorge, one encounters the village of Agia Roumeli, where one can take a launch to Chora Sfakion and catch a bus back to Chania.