Samaria Gorge

Samaria Gorge in Crete, Hiking in Samaria gorge

map showing the location of Samaria gorge in Crete

Every tourist visiting Crete is soon going to hear about Samaria Gorge. This is the longest gorge in Europe, its length being 18 km and is descending from Omalos Plateau at 1200m high, all the way down to sea-level to Agia Roumeli village.

Samaria Gorge, Flora and Fauna

kri-kri, the wildgoats of Crete inside Samaria gorge Flora and Fauna are at their best inside the National Park of Samaria gorge.

There are unique species of animals and plants and they are all protected by law; in fact you are not allowed to remove anything from the gorge, not even cut a flower.

Very famous is the Cretan wild goat ( Kri-Kri). You may meet some of them in the village of Samaria inside the gorge; sometimes a few of them come close to the last houses of the village.

The Samaria village

old houses inside Samaria gorge Samaria is an old village whose inhabitants were relocated in 1962 when the gorge was declared a national park.

The old houses still exist and they serve as houses for the guards. The village is a good opportunity to see the traditional architecture and rest for a while.

When you get to this point you are almost halfway and the time is perfect for a sandwich (if you are carrying any with you).

Samaria gorge hiking, tips and equipment

Samaria map

The trail along the gorge is very well-signed . There is drinkable water in many locations as well as public toilets.

IMAGE: map of Samaria gorge. This map is printed on the back side of the ticket you will buy at Xyloskalo, the entrance to Samaria.

huge rocks in Samaria gorge

Samaria gorge is not an easy stroll. If you are not used in hiking and you don' t have any serious health problems you will walk it succesfully but be ready for sore legs for the next couple of days.

A proper pair of shoes is essential as well as a hat.

The most tiring part of the hike are the last 3 km when you exit the national park; it's noon or early afternoon (too hot) and there is no shadow.

However there is a great beach in Agia Roumeli where you can cool-off before you take the ferry to Loutro, Hora Sfakion or Sougia and Paleochora. You may even stay in Agia Roumeli, as there are plenty of rooms and restaurants.

Iron Gates, the most narrow part of the gorge

Walking the whole distance will take 4 to 7 hr at a reasonable pace. However if you don' t feel fit enough then there is an easier approach: the "lazy" way.

You start from Agia Roumeli and walk up to Sideroportes (Iron Gates) which is the most narrow part of the gorge; you almost touch both sides of the rock walls at the same time while these walls rise 1000 ft up. It still is a way to see a part of the gorge but it's a bit boring one as there is no interest in the first 3 km of the route.

When is Samaria gorge open?

Samaria gorge is open from late April to October 31, depending on the weather conditions. It is not rare for it to be closed until May.

The river inside the gorge may prove really dangerous if there is a heavy rain in spring or autumn (in 1993 a number of walkers were killed and washed out to the sea).