| Samaria Gorge tips and photos posted by real travelers and Crete Island locals.
Chania Prefecture
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Samaria Gorge is one of the National Parks of Greece and the only one in Crete. It starts at an altitude of 1227 m. at Xyloskalo near the village of Omalos (70 Km. from Chania) and ends after an 18 km walk to the beach at the village of Agia Roumeli on the south coast of Crete.
The best way to reach Omalos is by public bus, or join an organised group. You can also reach Omalos by private car, but that means that once you reach the beach at Agia Roumeli, you have to climb back to the top to pick up the car (... not recommended).
The Gorge is open to visitors from May to October. Walking through the gorge is an experience that a visitor should enjoy. People have been known to walk through it in 3-4 hours but a more sedate pace would allow the visitor time to enjoy it more.
Usually people start their walk at 7-8 in the morning and come out to the beach at about 6 in the afternoon. Staying overnight in the gorge is not permitted.
Omalos is one of the last shelters of the mountain goat of Crete (kri-kri). The flora is extensive ranging from high cypress trees to flowers and herbs.The river flows to small lakes and waterfalls.
SAMARIA VILLAGE
Halfway through the park lies the village of Samaria that was abandoned when the Gorge became a Park.
The authorities have restored the buildings, which are now uninhabitted, and a shady place with benches and tables is provided for the visitors' rest. Leave a Comment
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 by bijo69
Admission to the National Park is 5 Euro Leave a Comment
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 Along My Hike in the Morning
Hours... by Jmill42
It is the longest gorge in the whole of Europe and has cliffs jumping to a height of almost 600 meters, and a width of 150 meters to a narrow passageway of only 3 meters at "The Gates." Leave a Comment
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 by Jmill42
If you are not staying in Omalos for the start of your hike, you can purchase your bus ticket to Omalos and your return ticket from Hora Sfakion at the same time. I highly recommend you do this, as the line at the end of the hike is invariably long. Plus, you have just hiked the longest gorge in Europe, who wants to stand in a really long line?
You can only buy your ferry tickets from Agia Roumeli to Hora Sfakion in Agia Roumeli, and they are 4.40 Euro. There are only 3-4 boats per day, so you might have to wait a little while.
The price of entrance into the park is 3 Euro and free for students.
It is important to call the Ranger Service after a rain, to check if the park is open for the hike.
28210 92 287 Leave a Comment Phone: 28210 92 287 Ranger Service
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 samaria gorge by karin_kamphuis
You have to walk about 18 km to get to a beach, the beach has small pebble-sand which get very hot in the sun!!! So take a large towel and get next to the water!
You have to pay 5 euro's to get into the Samaria national park.
The walking trail is open to visitors from May to October (it can be closed by extreme hot wheather or heavy rainfall)
You have to take 6 or 7 hours for the trail (including stops and taking photographs).
So you better start early because it's getting hot by noon.
Wear good walkingshoes and wear a hat. Use sunmilk and drink many water. Leave a Comment
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The gorge of Samaria is situated 42 kms south of Hania and considered to be the longest gorge in Europe and also classified as a National park. The gorge is about 18kms long and the best way to see the place is to walk through the entire length. Crossing the gorge is only allowed between beginning of May to October. Was told that its also closed on rainy days due to rock falls. You can easily buy this excursion as a package - sold by many travel agents there and will be picked up in the morning.
Few tips -
* take plenty of water, hat, good shoes, jumper and some food
* do not stop below high cliffs ( to avoid any stone falling) Leave a Comment
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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. Leave a Comment Directions: You catch a bus in Chania terminal early in the morning which will drop you at the entrance of the park. In Agia Roumeli catch the ferry to Chora Sfakion. In Sfakia, you catch the bus back to Chania.
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 by Pavlik_NLLeave a Comment
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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. Leave a Comment Directions: South-West Crete
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 by LochlainnLeave a Comment Other Contact: Even in summer it can be quite c
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