Samaria Gorge path destroyed by storm, workers say reopening this year is in doubt

Staff at Samaria Gorge found extensive storm damage along the trail after entering from the northern entrance and inspecting the route up to the 4th kilometre, according to CretaOne, which cited footage and photographs from ERT.

In several stretches, the path has effectively disappeared beneath rocks, fallen tree trunks and large amounts of debris carried down by floodwater, the report said. The force of the water also swept away trees along the route.

The damage was severe enough that even experienced staff struggled to move through parts of the gorge, CretaOne reported.

Based on initial assessments, staff consider it extremely difficult for Samaria Gorge to reopen this tourist season, given the scale of the damage to the path and to multiple points along the route, according to the report. No final decision on reopening has been announced.

The gorge has already faced closures this season amid Crete’s prolonged storms; eight workers were previously reported trapped in the gorge after floodwaters blocked their exit path. Authorities have separately discussed the future management of the site, with OFYPEKA asking the Region of Chania to take over gorge operations.

Samaria is one of the most visited gorges in Crete, and its closure affects a key part of the island’s hiking season each year.