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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.
Get directions to Klados Gorge
Find below the list of things to do near Klados Gorge:
Stop to purchase a hearty breakfast in Rethymno on this full-day Samaria Gorge excursion. Begin your trek at Xiloskalo, where you’ll enter the vast, 18-kilometer canyon.
Hike along a path that follows the route of the ancient Taras River. Admire the caves that formed a natural shelter for the Cretans in war times and now are home to wild goats.
See the abandoned village of Samaria before reaching the Iron Gates, 3 kilometers before the end of the gorge.
Rest and enjoy lunch (at your own expense) at the small fishing village of Agia Roumeli. Cool off with a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea before boarding the ship that takes you back to the village of Sfakia.
Intro:
A national park since 1962, a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO, the longest gorge of Crete and one of the longest in Europe, the gorge of Samaria is the adventure everyone has to take upon when visiting Crete.
Full Description:
The pick up starts very early in the morning and you will be greeted by our friendly driver. The drive may be long but your exceptional tour guide will make this time worthwhile, explaining all there is to know about the island and the places you will pass by.
The bus takes us to Omalos Plateau. There you can buy supplies from the local market like water and small snacks to carry with you before our big adventure.
The walk begins from Xiloskalo that is the entrance of this magnificent 18km long gorge.
On the way we will admire the indigenous plants, flowers and bird species and the unique view of the landscape left untouched by human intervention. The rock formations will leave you speechless.
The gorge is nowadays a natural habitat for the protected wild goats of Crete commonly known as Kri-kri, giving you the chance to spot them as well.
Halfway through the gorge, we arrive at the abandoned village of Santa Maria that takes its name from the old church that is located there.
Last but not least, a few km before the exit, we come across the “Iron gates” or Sideroportes in Greek, where the gorge closes in to a width of no more than four meters, making it the narrowest point of the walk!
After we exit the canyon, we arrive at the small village of Agia Roumeli where you have time to have lunch in one of the traditional taverns or relax and have a swim at the beach.
The boat then takes us to the village of Sfakia where our bus driver will be waiting for us to drive us safely back to your hotels.
Take a hike through Samaria Gorge with pickup in Malia and Heraklion. Trek through this impressive gorge, known for being the longest in Europe. Make a stop at the Plateau of Omalos, admire the mountains of the gorge, and take an unforgettable journey through Cretan nature.
Get picked up in the morning from your designated pickup point and head towards Omalos. Once there, make sure you have all the equipment and take the chance to buy some supplies before entering into the gorge.
Begin the trek, and feel the impressiveness of the longest gorge in Europe. Take in the surrounding views of the White Mountains, admire the small river that runs through it, and catch sight of the Cretan wild goats, commonly known as Kri-Kri.
At the exit, find yourself by the Libyan Sea in the village of Agia Roumeli. Explore this beautiful and isolated village, nestled between huge rocks and the expansive sea. Enjoy a relaxing and refreshing swim at the beach, and have some lunch in a small local tavern.
Later, embark on a boat that takes you back to Chora Sfakion. There, catch the bus that returns back to the resort.
The Samaria Gorge is the jewel of the White Mountains; hidden in the southern part of the prefecture of Chania, it is the largest gorge in Europe, with a length of 18 kilometres, and the most visited trail in Greece.
The gorge trail starts at Ksyloskalo (Omalos plateau, 1,227 metres above sea level) and, after following the river bed, ends at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli.
It is a very pleasant walk, not strenuous, with many changes of scenery and a varied environment, and it is excellently equipped with signals and signposts that eliminate the risk of getting lost. It is important to remember, however, that although the whole route is not difficult, there are certain sections that require more attention.
Your day starts after we pick you up from a designated pick up point (which can be outside your hotel or as close as possible). We then drive to the Omalos plateau and stop for breakfast (optional).
After breakfast we drive to the entrance of the Samaria gorge called Xyloskalo and start the walk.
The walk usually takes 4 – 6 hours and you will be able to admire extraordinary rock formations, many endemic plants, flowers and animals, the most famous of which is the Cretan wild goat called “Kri – Kri” (or Aegagros as it is called in the local dialect). Everyone will walk at their own pace without the need to keep up with a group, if you need anything feel free to ask your guide – mountain escort who will also enter the gorge with you.
At the end of the walk you will find yourself in the remote village of Ag. Roumeli, where you can cool off and enjoy the beach. You will also be able to sample the local cuisine by having lunch in one of the local taverns.
The tour ends after taking the ferry from Ag. Roumeli to Sougia and board our busses back to your hotel (or the designated pick up point you had in the morning).
Find below the list of hotels near Klados Gorge:
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
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.
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.
The petite Keratida gorge, filled with pine trees, begins just past the village of Koustogerako. After a challenging two-hour hike, it intersects with the coastal E4 trail that links Sougia and Agia Roumeli. Initially, the route runs alongside the gorge. However, the descent is quite steep and requires caution, as the gorge can be quite unforgiving. The route concludes near the sea, in close proximity to Agios Antonios beach (also known as Charei). From Agios Antonios, it takes an additional two hours to get back to Sougia.
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.
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