Crete: Samaria Gorge Hike
This is the Samaria walk for anyone staying on the Heraklion coast rather than in Chania. Tourline collect from sixteen points between Sissi and Lygaria, drive across the island to Xyloskalo, guide the 16.5 km descent to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, then bring you back by ferry to Sfakia and coach from there. The day runs 17 hours from €48, with a 4.51 rating across 210 reviews.
What this hike actually does
The day is long because the island is wide. Four stages.
First is the pick-up round along the north coast and the drive west, several hours before the walking starts. Second is the gorge: from Xyloskalo you follow the route of the ancient Taras river between the walls of the White Mountains, past caves that sheltered Cretans in wartime and now shelter kri-kri, through the abandoned village of Samaria, and finally the Iron Gates where the gorge narrows to its tightest point. Third is Agia Roumeli, where you meet the guide again, swim and eat. Fourth is the ferry along the south coast to Sfakia and the coach back to your pick-up point.
The walk itself is 16.5 km and reviewers report 4.5 hours at a good pace, 5 to 5.5 with stops for photographs.
Places this tour visits
The route crosses the island and finishes on the south coast.
- Samaria Gorge, the walk runs the length of Samaria gorge, Europe’s longest canyon.
- Agia Roumeli, the hike ends at Agia Roumeli beach, where the gorge reaches the Libyan Sea.
What’s included and what isn’t
The €48 covers everything except the gorge ticket and your food.
Included:
- Round-trip transfers from Sissi, Malia, Stalis, Stalida, Hersonissos, Piskopiano, Koutouloufari, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Karteros, Heraklion centre, Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia and Lygaria
- Air-conditioned coach and experienced drivers
- Live tour guide
- Insurance
Not included:
- Samaria Gorge entrance ticket
- Food and drinks
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this as the practical way to walk Samaria from the wrong end of the island. Everyone staying around Heraklion faces the same problem: the gorge is 150 km west, the walk is one-way, and the exit is a village with no road. Tourline solve all of it in one booking, and they operate the tour directly rather than reselling it.
The guiding is what reviewers rate highest, at 4.5 out of 5. A Polish guest named their guide Athina for information delivered with humour on a 34-degree day. A Belgian visitor called theirs the best guide of the whole holiday. A Greek reviewer praised the organisation specifically, everything happened on time, exactly as described.
The scale of the thing is the other reason. A German guest called it very strenuous but said the scenery is priceless. A French reviewer called the hike unmissable and splendid while making clear it is a hike, not a health walk.
Three honest caveats, and transport is the theme.
The coach is the weakest part, scoring 4.2 out of 5. A Greek reviewer who otherwise rated the day five stars said the shuttle had minimal legroom. A Dutch guest said the air conditioning was not noticeable, which on a Cretan summer afternoon matters. A second Dutch reviewer found the pick-up round tedious, with stops at hotels seemingly every few metres.
Seventeen hours is a very long day for four and a half hours of walking. Most of the rest is road and ferry. Know that before you book.
The beach at the end divides people. A German reviewer found the gravel at Agia Roumeli disappointing after the walk. It is a pebble beach, not sand.
This is also not a family walk. A French reviewer stated plainly that with large stones throughout and a lot of climbing, it is not suitable for children.
CreteLocals insider tips
Wear real boots, carry cash and water, and pick your seat.
- Wear proper hiking shoes with grip, which four separate reviewers raise, large stones, slippery rock and a long descent.
- Carry cash for the gorge ticket and lunch, since neither is included and Agia Roumeli is a small village.
- Refill your bottle at the springs in the gorge, which several reviewers depend on in the heat.
- Take the earliest pick-up point you can reach, because the collection round adds significantly to an already 17-hour day.
- Pack sunscreen and a cap, since long stretches of the gorge are fully exposed.
- Allow 4.5 hours walking at a steady pace, or 5 to 5.5 if you want to stop for photographs.
What to know before you go
Transfers run round-trip from sixteen named points between Sissi in the east and Lygaria in the west. The return is by ferry from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia and then by coach.
Bring hiking shoes, a backpack, sunglasses, a cap, sunscreen, plenty of water and food. The walk is one-way and there is no exit part-way.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Samaria Gorge day trip from Heraklion?
The day runs about 17 hours door to door, of which roughly 4.5 to 5.5 hours are the walk itself.
How long is the walk?
The gorge is 16.5 km, descending from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea.
Where does pickup cover?
Sixteen points from Sissi to Lygaria, including Malia, Hersonissos, Gouves, Heraklion centre, Ammoudara and Agia Pelagia.
Is the gorge ticket included?
No, the entrance ticket is paid separately, as is all food and drink.
How do you get back?
By ferry from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, then by coach to your original pick-up point.
Is it suitable for children?
Reviewers advise against it. The route has large stones throughout and a lot of climbing, and demands real fitness.
Check dates and prices for the Samaria gorge day trip from the Heraklion coast.
Location
Samaria Gorge Hike is located at Agia Roumeli. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
