Samaria Gorge

About

Europe-famous 16 km gorge hike through a national park, from the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea.

Samaria is the most famous gorge in Crete and one of the longest in Europe. It runs for about 16 km from the Xyloskalo entrance on the Omalos plateau, at 1,230 m, down to the village of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea. The gorge is a national park and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, home to the Cretan wild goat, the kri-kri, and many rare plants.

The walk is downhill all the way and takes most people 5 to 7 hours. The first part descends steeply through pine and cypress forest, then you follow the riverbed past the abandoned village of Samaria to the famous Portes, the "Iron Gates", where the walls rise 300 m high and are only 3 to 4 m apart.

The park opens from about May to October, depending on the weather. From Agia Roumeli you take a ferry to Sougia or Chora Sfakion, where buses wait to take you back. Many people book an organised trip that includes all the transport. Wear proper shoes, bring water, food and a hat, and start early.

Getting there

Bus from Chania to Omalos (Xyloskalo). Exit at Agia Roumeli by ferry to Sfakia or Sougia, then bus back. Usually open May–October.

On the map

35.27000, 23.96000 · See on map