Samaria Gorge National Park, Crete

Samaria Gorge National Park is a beautiful gorge located in the Crete mountains. It is a popular, but strenuous, days hike, starting high in the mountains descending about 17 km down to sea level, where the gorge emerges by the coast.

Photo credit: Lapplaender

Due to the gradients, distance, heat and uneven surfaces it is recommended only fit and agile people do the full trek. Sensible hiking boots or strong trail type trainers should be worn, and take a 1 litre bottle of water. There is water fountains along the trail where they can be refilled. The walk usually takes between five and seven hours to complete, so some food should be taken in your bag, as well as suncream, a hat and a small first aid kit per group is a good idea, in case a plaster is needed for a blister etc.

Take a towel as well and some swimwear as well as there is a beach & beach cafes and bars, at Agia Roumeli, a coastal village, at the end of the walk where you can relax before getting the ferry. Remember not to drop any litter, and keep all used wrappers etc in your bag and dispose of them in bins at the end of the walk. Keep Greece Tidy!

GETTING THERE & RETURN

A bus to “Omalos“. from Chania central bus station will get you to “Xyloskalo“, the northern entrance of Samaria Gorge National Park. It is 5 Euros for entry.

Once you have completed the hike, at Agia Roumeli you can get a small passenger ferry to Sfakia or Sougia or Paleochora or Loutro or Gavdos. A bus back to Chania can be taken from Sfakia, Sougia or Paleochora. The total cost of the trip will be about 30 Euros. If you do not want to walk the whole of the gorge, you can get a ferry to Agia Roumeli and walk part of the lower section and then go for a swim and have some refreshments at Agia Roumeli.

The Samaria Gorge National Park website, www.samaria.gr