The gorge of Samaria is the most famous trekking gorge in Europe and a part of the European E4 hiking trail. Thousands of tourists flock here daily in the summer season to walk from the top to the bottom. For many visitors, it is the sole purpose of their visit to Crete. The length of the gorge reaches 13km and takes almost 5-7 hours to hike from Xyloskalo at Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli beach, depending on the trekking pace.
The gorge is located in the south of Chania Prefecture in the larger uninhabited area of Europe, where no roads even exist. It was created by the river flowing between the main massif of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) and the range of Volakias. There are many smaller gorges vertical to Samaria Gorge, some of which have never been crossed by humans and require canyoning equipment. One of these, Perdika, has the highest waterfall in Crete (220m).
While the gorge is officially 15km long, this distance actually refers to the hiking distance between the settlement of Omalos on the northern side of the plateau Omalos and the village of Agia Roumeli. In fact, the gorge is 13 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250m at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the South Cretan Sea in Agia Roumeli. The walk through Samaria Natural Park is 13 km long, i.e. from the ticket kiosk at Xyloskalo to the kiosk at Agia Roumeli old village, but you have to walk 1.5 more kilometres to reach the beach of Agia Roumeli, making the hike totally 14.5km.
The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as the Iron Gates (Sideroportes), where the sides of the gorge close into a width of only four meters and soar up to a height of 500 m. The gorge became a national park in 1962, particularly as a refuge for the rare Cretan ibex, which is today restricted to the Lefka Ori National Park, the island Thodorou and several more islets. There are several endemic species of fauna and flora in the gorge and surrounding area.
The desert village of Samaria lies just inside the gorge. It was finally abandoned by the last remaining inhabitants in 1962 to make way for the park. The village and the gorge are believed to take their names from the village’s old church of Mary of Egypt (Osia Maria).
A “must” for visitors to Crete is to complete the walk down the gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the South Cretan Sea. From there most visitors get the ferry to the port of Chora Sfakion and catch a coach back to Chania. The walk takes 4-7 hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer.
The problem with the gorge of Samaria is crowds. It has become one of the most popular attractions in 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 or get the first bus from Chania. You can also start walking after 12:00, there won’t be many people and you will have shade at all times, but you will most probably need to spend the night in Agia Roumeli because the last ferry will have left. However, we encourage you to do that, since staying in Agia Roumeli is quite cheap and the beach is majestic. 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.
As far as the times of the year are concerned, the best time is 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. Please give it a miss and come again at a better time.
All local tour operators in Crete provide organized tours to the gorge. These include bus transportation from your hotel to the entrance (near Omalos village), and the bus will be waiting for you to disembark the ferry in Chora Sfakion to take you back. If you are on your own, you can make a one-day round trip from Chania, Sougia or Paleochora. Note that the morning buses from Sougia and Paleochora do not operate on Sunday, but still make sure that you know the timetables. The ferries leave Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion (eastbound) and to Sougia/Paleochora (westbound) in the afternoon.
Descent in the canyon starts from the position of Xyloskalo at Omalos Plateau, at an altitude of 1200m, where you have to pay a small entrance fee for the protection of the reserve. The trail is wooded with cypress and pine trees, wide and very well discernible, while at the beginning descends abruptly. We meet drinking water and toilets very often. In about three hours we reach the old village of Samaria, at an altitude of about 300 meters, after crossing by the church of Saint George.
In Samaria there are old houses, trees offering shade, water springs and if you are lucky you will meet the endangered Cretan wild goat. From here onwards the landscape changes, becomes drier and the slope gets smooth. One hour later we walk along the riverbed for some time. There are several small wooden bridges in several places, above the river.
After one more hour, we meet the imposing Sideroportes (Iron Gates) which is a very narrow passage between two tall vertical 500m high cliffs. We soon reach the old village of Agia Roumeli which was abandoned in the mid-1900s due to a devastating flood and was moved to the seaside settlement of Agia Roumeli, about 30 minutes away.
To learn more about this beutiful gorge and what should you know before starting your hike, check out Samaria Gorge: One of the Best Walking Trails in Crete.
Get directions to Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge is a signed trail and part of the E4 trail.
Yes, there is water all year round in Samaria Gorge, thanks to the numerous springs in the area.
You can access Samaria Gorge by bus services, paved road, or boat.
Samaria Gorge is 13 km long.
Samaria Gorge has a difficulty rating of 7 out of 10.
It takes approximately 6 hours to hike Samaria Gorge.
The altitude difference in Samaria Gorge is 1200 meters.
Samaria Gorge has received 1 reviews with an average rating of 5 out of 5
Find below the list of things to do near Samaria Gorge:
Embark on a full-day guided trip to the Samaria Gorge from Chania. Arrive in Omalos in the heart of the White Mountains, and enjoy breakfast before trekking along the longest gorge in Europe, 4,000 feet above sea level.
After breakfast, enter the Samaria Gorge. Walk at your own pace with your English-speaking guide at the end of the group to help out if you need them.
Hike over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees and along a river, passing by fresh-water springs along the way. Enjoy views of Crete’s most beautiful mountain range and see mountain goats roaming in the wild. Feel the exhilaration of challenging yourself with a long hike.
At the end of the trek, visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars, and shops. Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. A meeting point will be arranged so you can collect your ferry tickets from your guide.
Late in the afternoon, you’ll board a boat that will take you from Agia Roumeli to Sougia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the starting point about 7.30 PM.
Take a day trip from Rethymno to set out on an outdoor adventure into Samaria Gorge National Park. Hike at your own pace with a guide over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees, along a river, and by fresh-water springs. Keep an eye out for mountain goats roaming in the wild.
Begin your full-day excursion to Samaria Gorge with pickup and a drive to Omalos, in the heart of the White Mountains, where you can enjoy breakfast before you start the hike. Challenge yourself with 18 kilometers of walking over rocky terrain.
Be accompanied by a mountain escort who speaks English, German, and French. Get briefed about your hike and get your tickets for the entrance and ferry boat from your escort. These fees have to be paid to the guide upon arrival.
After breakfast, enter the Samaria Gorge. Walk at your own pace as your guide will be at the end of the group to help out if you need them. At the end of the trek, visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars, and shops.
Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. A meeting point will be arranged so you can collect your ferry tickets from your guide. Late in the afternoon, board a boat to go from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the pickup point.
Embark on a guided hike in the Samariá Gorge on a day trip from Rethymno or Chania. Get your daily dose of exercise, enjoy the panoramic views and take a swim.
Discover the longest gorge in Europe, an area of stunning natural beauty. See its many flowers and herbs and the crystal-clear spring waters that flow from the mountains.
Following an early morning pickup from the nearest point to your accommodation in Rethymno or Chania, travel through the mountains passing the plateau of Omalos.
Arrive at some wooden stairs at the start of Samariá Gorge. You can opt to start the walk straight away or get some breakfast at the taverna before you begin. Hike for approximately 6-7 hours and experience the magnificent landscape on a 16-kilometer walk.
Once you have finished the hike, there will be ample time for a swim and lunch at a taverna in Agia Roumeli.
Through this route we will discover the wild side of southern Crete and end up at one of the best beaches of Crete with crystal clear waters
Our first stop is the Minoan Farm where we will have the opportunity to learn how Cretan honey and Cretan olive oil are produced as well as to get to know Cretan herbs up close. Our stop really fills us with Crete.
Then we arrive at traditional village of Archanes where we will have about 40 minutes of free time to be enchanted by the architecture of the houses, the narrow streets of the village and to relax under the plane trees
Then through a beautiful route we reach the foot of the constellations and climb to an altitude of 850 meters
This is where the wild side of Southern Crete begins to appear and the landscapes are truly beautiful and dreamlike
Crossing the beautiful gorge we find ourselves at one of the best beaches of Crete with crystal clear waters
Here we enjoy a wonderful meal and take a bath
On our way back through a beautiful route we end up at the Monastery of Epanosifi with the Byzantine churches and we will get to know the life of the Cretan priests
With what better images we end up at the hotel
This route will imprint deep in your mind the best memories from Wild Unknown Crete !!!!
Find below the list of hotels near Samaria Gorge:
Mike Omalos Houses features lake views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Omalós, 5.1 km from Samaria Gorge.
The holiday home provides guests with a terrace, mountain views, a seating area, cable flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, and a private bathroom with shower and a hair dryer. A toaster, a fridge and stovetop are also featured, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Mike Omalos Houses offers a picnic area.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy hiking and bike tours nearby, or make the most of the garden.
Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete is 22 km from Mike Omalos Houses, while Limnoupolis is 36 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 52 km from the holiday home.
Featuring pool views, Villa Aeolus with private overflow, endless, heated pool offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 23 km from Samaria Gorge. This villa has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa with a terrace and mountain views features 3 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 2 bathrooms with a bath. Towels and bed linen are featured in the villa.
The villa offers a picnic area.
Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete is 36 km from Villa Aeolus with private overflow, endless, heated pool, while Limnoupolis is 41 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 58 km from the accommodation.
Located 60 metres from the beach of Agia Roumeli, the quietly located Artemis Studios offers split-level, self-catering accommodation with side sea view towards west, garden or mountain views from its balcony. It features a family-run restaurant.
The air-conditioned studios of Artemis have an open-plan kitchenette with seating and dining area. Each is equipped with a fridge and cooking hobs. The private bathroom comes with shower and free toiletries. Free WiFi is offered.
Guests can start their day with a continental breakfast served daily at the Artemis Restaurant, where traditional Cretan dishes can also be enjoyed at discounted prices for lunch or dinner.
Mini markets can be found within a short walk from the property. The village of Agia Roumeli is accessible either by crossing the Samaria Gorge or by ferry from Sfakia, Sougia or Paleochora. Guests have the chance to participate in a 4-day activity programme at Samaria Gorge.
from
€56
/night
Calypso Hotel is located just 20 metres from the beach, in Agia Roumeli village. It features rooms with air conditioning and a furnished balcony with Libyan Sea views. The on-site café-restaurant serves breakfast.
Calypso rooms are fitted with tiled floors and wooden ceilings and include a refrigerator. Free Wi-Fi access is offered in all public areas.
Sun beds and umbrellas are available on the beach at an extra charge. Staff can provide information on organized excursions, such as a hike of the Samaria Gorge.
Calypso Hotel is 75 km from Chania. Nearby Sfakia and Loutro are accessible by boat. Free public and private parking are available.
from
€65
/night
Villa Zourva is a self-catering accommodation located in the traditional village of Zourva. It offers unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains from its balconies. Chania Town is 23 km away.
Including beamed ceilings and stone-built features, accommodation will provide you with a satellite, flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a fireplace. There are also a full kitchen with cooking equipment, and a bathroom with a bath and hairdryer.
At Villa Zourva you will find BBQ facilities. A restaurant is just 20 metres away.
Souda Airport is within a distance of 40 km. The owners can help with car rentals. Parking is possible on site.
Located in Sougia, 33 km from Samaria Gorge, Monastery Estate Retreat provides accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a concierge service, along with free WiFi. The property is allergy-free and is set 46 km from Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a shower. All rooms come with a kettle, while some rooms are equipped with a patio and others also offer pool views. At Monastery Estate Retreat each room is equipped with bed linen and towels.
A continental breakfast is available daily at the accommodation.
Monastery Estate Retreat offers 3-star accommodation with a sauna and spa centre.
The nearest airport is Chania International, 68 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Tripiti, the second largest gorge in proximity to Samaria gorge after Klados gorge, can be reached from Omalos plateau via the Gigilos peak trail that intersects Linosseli spring. However, caution is advised due to a precarious pathway where massive landslides could occur, potentially trapping you. It is strongly recommended to be accompanied by an experienced hiker for safety.
As one of Crete’s longest gorges, Tripiti necessitates a two-day journey since no roads lead directly to its entrance. The adventure begins on the first day from Plateau Omalos (elevation 1200 meters), climbing towards the formidable Gigilos peak (2080m). The path crosses the Linoseli spring (1,400m), then ascends to a mountain ridge at 1700m where the Koustogerako trail intersects with the Gigilos trail. From this ridge, the descent to Tripiti gorge’s riverbed commences, which can be reached from Omalos in about three hours. Overnight options include staying on the ridge or continuing slightly further to the dilapidated Tzatzimos sheepfold.
The following day, continue down the trail until it intersects with the river bed at an elevation of 700m. From there, follow the bed to reach the South Cretan Sea at Tripiti beach. The journey from Gigilos to the beach is approximately six hours. The gorge is a spectacle with towering, often cavernous walls (Tripiti’s name derives from the Greek word for caves, “tripes”). It’s not uncommon for hikers to encounter the endangered Cretan ibex amidst the lush flora and pine trees.
Close to Tripiti beach, located at Cape Tripiti, you’ll find a water cistern, a quaint goat pen, and the picturesque chapel of Saint Nicholas. The Tripiti peninsula was once home to the ancient town Pikilasos, a port for the influential town Elyros. If no boat is available for pick-up, a 3-4 hour walk along the E4 trail to the west will take you to the coastal village of Sougia. This trail also passes by the ruins of the Turkish tower of Voukelasi and the chapel of Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elijah). On the feast day of Prophet Elijah (19-20 July), many people from Sougia visit the chapel either by boat or on foot.
For the initial part of the gorge, the riverbed has steep descents requiring canyoneering equipment. Therefore, canyoners can bypass the side trail and traverse the gorge using technical gear in the bed.
Fygou Gorge, a small yet stunning sub-gorge of the renowned Agia Irini Gorge, is situated near Sougia. This narrow canyon played a significant role in history, serving as an escape route for local rebels to the Sfakia mountains during various revolutions, hence its name ‘Fygou’, meaning escape.
In present times, many trekkers embarking on the Agia Irini Gorge trail, the second most popular gorge in Crete after Samaria, choose to commence their journey from Fygou Gorge. After approximately an hour of walking, they meet the Agia Irini Gorge.
A beautiful path winds through Fygou, weaving between a picturesque cypress and pine grove. An abandoned settlement and a Forest Service outpost can be found at the location known as Polla Spitakia. Near the point where Fygou Gorge meets the Agia Irini Gorge, the historic Hirotrypa cave is located. This site marks a tragic event from 1822 when two local hermits were murdered by the Ottomans.
Klados Gorge, located in Crete, is renowned as one of the most perilous and inaccessible gorges. The beginning of the canyon is situated at Kokkinovari, on a precipitous slope that’s about 90-100 meters high. The extremely steep and unstable terrain makes it impossible to access, even with technical gear. Thus, the only means to witness a portion of this natural masterpiece is by trekking from the stunning Domata beach or by following the riverbed for about three hours until you reach the Klados exit.
Starting from Domata, you can venture into the canyon for approximately three hours, covering a significant distance. As you proceed, the canyon walls narrow dramatically, presenting a breathtaking spectacle. However, your journey is eventually hindered by a steep drop known as Letzara, forcing you to backtrack to the beach.
From this point onwards, only a handful of seasoned climbers have managed to navigate Klados successfully, overcoming the numerous waterfalls. In the spring, when the snow melts, landslides are a common occurrence throughout the entire length of the canyon.
Situated on the western flank of the White Mountains in the Selino province, the Agia Irini gorge owes its name to the nearby village of Agia Irini (Saint Irene), a mere 46 km from Chania.
The trail of Agia Irini Gorge commences just below the Agia Irini village and concludes at the Oasis Taverna. The track, which descends approximately 500 meters, extends for 7.5 km and requires nearly three hours to navigate. It is a well-preserved and predominantly shaded path, embellished with pine trees, plane trees, and oleander bushes.
The journey from the exit of the gorge to the village of Sougia covers about 5 km along a lightly used road with scarce shade. On sweltering days, arranging transportation to Sougia is recommended. The gorge, which is open all year round, is graced with a small river, but certain sections may become inaccessible or dangerous after heavy rain. From April to October, during the tourist season, a nominal fee is collected at the entrance (or exit for those hiking uphill) of the gorge. This fee aids in maintaining the path, collecting trash, and general upkeep to ensure a pleasant experience for all visitors.
The gorge forms part of the European footpath E4. Its southern entrance is positioned 5 kilometers north of Sougia. It is included in the NATURA 2000 protected areas and has been declared a wildlife reserve by the Ministry of Agriculture. The gorge is home to the endangered Cretan ibex, agrimi, and boasts a variety of microenvironments and habitats for an array of wildlife species. The diverse flora, including trees (cypress, pine, maple, plane, oak, holm oak), shrubs, brushwoods, and fine herbs such as dittany, is of significant importance.
The gorge holds immense significance, not only for its rich biodiversity and aesthetic appeal but also for its historical and cultural significance. At the “Polla Spitakia” area within the gorge, rebels found refuge from the Ottomans. This is where the “Fygou” path begins, which served as an escape route from the gorge to the Omalos plateau. The area houses the Byzantine Church of Christ (1358 AD) and the dilapidated church of Saint George (1460 AD). The gorge, second in popularity to Samaria in the Chania prefecture, remains open for a longer duration.
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