Where are the Samaria Gorge?
Located in south-west Crete, in the heart of the Samaria National Park in the White Mountains, these gorges are among the longest in Europe. The canyon is 16km long and has a vertical drop of 1,230m!
If you like hiking, this breathtaking site, recognized and protected by Unesco, is sure to please! It is one of Crete’s most visited tourist sites.
Hiking in the Samaria Gorge and its panoramic views
Allow between 5 hrs (for very good walkers) and 8 hrs (with young children and a few breaks). This hike is for good walkers.
The hike begins at Xyloskalo (meaning “ wooden staircase “) with a 4km long descent. You have to be careful not to slip, but the view at the start is magnificent! Knees and ankles are put to the test right from the start! We descend stairs made of pine roots. The path is very well signposted in a shady forest, but it can get crowded in summer on some of the narrower stretches.
Along the way, you’ll cross wooden bridges and meet the wild Cretan goats (Kri-Kri) for which the gorge is famous. They look like ibexes and are easy to spot.
Cross the riverbed several times and admire the church of Agios Nikolaos, a stone church built on the ruins of an ancient temple, or the church of Ossia Maria. In several places, springs gush out of the mountain and their water is drinkable. The walk takes place among umbrella pines, plane trees and cypresses, which is very pleasant.
In the middle of the gorge (at km 7), we pass through the village of Samaria, closed since 1962 when the region was designated a National Park… You can still find some old houses here, as well as an infirmary and a guard post. This can be very useful in the event of injury or heatstroke. It’s the perfect place for a picnic break.
An old olive mill also serves as an information office.
After the village, the landscape of the gorge is different. High cliffs loom all around, and we now walk on stones… This part of the hike is magnificent!
We finally arrive at the famous iron gates (Sideroportès), 300m high and 3m wide. The scenery here is breathtaking and magical! (11th km).
Leaving the gorge, it’s another 3km to Agia Roumeli, but the path is easier (a shuttle bus is available if you’re exhausted, for €2 per person).
Some tips and practical information for your hike in the Samaria Gorge
How do I fit out?
We recommend that you bring comfortable hiking boots or sneakers, a hat, sun cream and a small jacket for the early morning departure, as it can be very cool! (You’ll be at an altitude of 1230m).
You’ll also need to bring water and a picnic lunch .
Don’t forget a bathing suit and towel for a swim at the end of the hike, and a first-aid kit in case of a fall. A must!
Timetables
The Samaria Gorge is open from May to October, 7am to 5pm. Just in case, check the West Crete website for timetables the day before your trip.
If you leave after 2pm, you will only be able to cover the first 2km and return to the starting point.
In winter, the site is not accessible due to dangerous weather conditions.
Rate
- 5€ per adult
- Free for children under 15
- You’ll be asked for your ticket when you leave the park.
Our advice
We did this hike as a family and everyone loved it. However, while not inadvisable for children, the length of this tour can be very tiring for the little ones, and you may have to carry them several times. You also need to be in good physical health and accustomed to long walks. Young and old alike had aches and pains for several days!
We advise you to book your boat and bus tickets before your excursion to avoid queues, but you can also buy your boat ticket at a kiosk in Agia Roumeni.
Important information if you have a dog: they are accepted on site and on the boat, but often refused on the return bus. Having experienced it myself, the only way to get back is to hitchhike from Sougia!
How do I get to the Samaria Gorge?
Most departures to visit the Samaria Gorge are from Chania. From here, you can reach the gorge by public transport or by car.
By car
This was the option we had chosen. It’s best to leave very early in the morning , as the return journey can only be made by boat, and temperatures are more pleasant.
– You can leave your car in Sougia and take a bus to Xyloskalo near Omalos (start of the gorge), but the bus leaves at 7am!
On the way back, you take the boat to Agia Roumeli (end of the Gorges) and return to Sougia at 5.30pm.
– You can also leave your car at Xyloskalo. Several parking lots are available (€5 per day*). In the evening, you’ll have to take the boat back to Sougia and a bus back to the Xyloskalo parking lot.
The bus journey takes 1h20 and costs €4.90*.
The boat trip takes 40 minutes and costs €11* per person.
From Chania, it takes around 1h15 by car to reach the entrance to the gorge.
By bus (KTEL site)
Departure from Chania towards Omalos to Xyloskalo from the bus station (3 buses per day). Check the timetable on the site, but departures are generally between 6am and 9am. The journey takes about 1 hour. The trip costs €7.50 per person*.
You can also return by boat before 5.30pm, either to Chora Sfakion or to Sougia, where buses will take you to Chania.
Boat: Duration: 1 hour and €12.50 per person *
Bus: 2 hours and €8.30 a ticket*.
By boat
It’s also possible to do the hike from the bottom if you don’t feel like doing the whole thing. In this case, you take the boat to Sougia and have to walk 2km from Agia Roumeli to reach the entrance to the gorge. You’ll be going in the opposite direction to the other hikers. Start with the Iron Gates!
The circuit is 8km round trip to the Iron Gates, but the price is the same.
The advantage is that you can turn around whenever you like and pick up your car after taking the boat.
With a guide: one-day trek in the Samaria Gorge
For added convenience, you can opt to hike as part of an organized tour.
We haven’t tested it personally but we’ve had good feedback from one-day trek organized by Get Your Guide.
Advantages:
- Affordable price: €30 per person*.
- Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel
Inconveniences: no English-speaking guide.
Other excursions to the Samaria Gorge can be found on the Get Your Guide website:
- a hike with a guide departing from Rethymnon with pick-up from your hotel, 100% cancelable and refundable
- this low-cost tour departing from Rethymnon or Chania
Where to sleep?
You can stay on site in Omalos for an early morning departure. There are 3 hotel-restaurants in the small village which organize a free shuttle service. See our selection of hotels in Omalos.
You can also spend a night in a hotel in Agia Roumeli. There’s little accommodation, but it saves hours of commuting after the hike and can be a good option for a leisurely start the next day. See our selection of hotels in Agia Roumeli.
What to do after your hike?
After walking for several hours, we recommend a swim in the Libyan Sea on Agia Roumeli beach. Despite the pebbles, it’s the perfect opportunity to relax aching feet.
If you arrive well in advance of the boat’s departure, you can enjoy a drink in a local tavern on the harbor. After long hours of walking, we particularly enjoyed this moment!
Thanks to Christelle D. for this beautiful article!
* 2020 prices
