Welcome to Samaria Gorge
Hiking the 16km-long Samaria Gorge, one of Europe's longest canyons, is high on the list of must-dos for many Crete visitors. There’s an undeniable raw beauty to the canyon with its soaring cliffs and needle-nose passageways. The hike begins at an elevation of 1230m just south of Omalos and ends in the coastal village of Agia Roumeli. It's also possible to do it the 'lazy way' by hiking a shorter distance, starting at Agia Roumeli. The only way out of Agia Roumeli is by taking the boat to Sougia or Hora Sfakion, which are served by bus and taxi.
Top experiences in Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge activities
Samaria Gorge Tour from Chania - The Longest Gorge in Europe
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Samaria Gorge National Park, Sfakia, Chania Prefecture, CreteUp into the White Mountains to the omalos Plateau and the entrance to the gorge.Duration: 6 hours
Full Day Samaria Gorge 10-Mile Walking Tour from Chania
Take the time for a hike in the Samaria Gorge: this guided 10-mile (16-km) walk takes you to a place of stunning natural beauty. You’ll be picked up in Chania by a comfortable bus and then prepare to be wowed by the gorge, as high limestone cliffs and quaint villages create the background for a great hike.The challenge is a walking tour from one end of Samaria gorge to the other (18 kms). This is a rough, rocky, uneven track through the gorge. On route there are many stopping points where you can find toilets and drinking water. At some points the width of the gorge is only 3 m wide and you may have to climb over boulders. You will reach the end of the gorge at Agia Roumeli where we take a break and you can get a bite to eat (food not included)!This hike is not suitable for the un-fit or for clients with heart problems, high blood pressure, or pregnant.We return by boat to Chora Sfakion where we are collected by the coach.
Imbros Gorge from Rethymno
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Imbros Gorge, CreteA natural beauty, not as well known as the Samaria gorge, is the magnificent gorge of Imbros. It is 7 km and easier to walk through. It’s almost parallel to the Samaria gorge and it takes almost 3 hrs walking. The bus will be waiting for you at the exit of the gorge at the village of Komitades. Our next stop is at a beautiful beach where you can swim or enjoy a meal at the local taverns. This walk is suitable for children.Duration: 6 hours
Luxury Jeep Safari - Private Tour
Most people visiting Crete think of beautiful beaches and bright sun waiting in this beautiful corner of the Mediterranean. But, are you aware that the true soul of Crete is hidden in the mountains? During this 9-10 hours guided safari tour- in private - you will see firsthand what life is like for the Cretans away from urban landscape.Here's your chance to explore the mainland of Crete and to visit unique picturesque destinations, not accessible by rentals. The local drivers - escorts will pick you up from your hotel/villa and will drive you through dirt roads to the authentic part of Crete.Just a few minutes from Chania city you will begin to get a sense of the Cretan landscape and to enjoy yourselves close to olive, lemon, orange and avocado grooves. High mountain tops stand stately in endless blue sky and may appear rough and unfriendly, but in the mountains an ancient tradition is passed from generation to generation for over thousands of years. Animal herding in Crete was a popular profession at one time, today animal herding is still important.You will discover where the shepherd's live, and what challenges they face.Feel the warmth and the friendly environment of the most popular mountain refuge in White Mountains, named " Kallergis Refuge". Let your look, sail South from Samaria gorge to the Libyan Sea and North to the Aegean Sea. Take photos at Samaria National Park entrance, enjoy a Cretan snack accompanied with a cup of local mountain tea with honey, or a cup of coffee. Your delicious lunch will consist of a traditional Cretan flavor with Cretan salad, wine and dessert.After your luch time we visit a local winery and olive mill where you will enjoy a professionally guided tour of the facilities and learn how they produce olive oil. While here, enjoy some extra virgin olive oil with oregano and lemon juice on warm, freshly baked bread. Over in the wine section of the facilities you will discover their wine making processes and sample the results as well as a taste of a local alcohol named tsikoudia, or raki.From the winery you will ride to the charming village of Ano Vouves to see the world's oldest living olive tree, still producing its precious liquid some 3,000 years later. Tour the small museum and learn the challenges involved in ancient olive oil production before your return ride back to your hotel/villa.Accompanied by your local, friendly and knowledgeable driver - guide, this tour will open your eyes to so much more than the average excursion as you will be provided with a glimpse into a culture's long, rich history.Book this private full-day tour today and get ready for a fun taste of the authentic Crete.
Walk through Samaria Gorge
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Summit of Gingilos, Omalos, Chania Prefecture, CreteThe plateau of Omalos is an area of 15km, found 38 Km on the south of Chania, in the center of the Cretan mountains named Lefka Ori (White Mountains). The highest mountain of this mountain range, is Pachnes at an altitude of 2452m.Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Samaria Gorge National Park, Sfakia, Chania Prefecture, CreteXyloskalo is 5 kilometers from Omalos plateau, the northern most entrance of Samaria gorge at an altitude of 1230m.Samaria gorge is 16 Km long but an extra 2 Km walk is needed until we reach the south coast end of Agia Roumeli. The width of the gorge is 150m at its widest point and 3m at its narrowest, not to mention up to 700 meters deep. The cliffs reach heights of 350 meters. The first 4 kilometers of the walk, is by far the most difficult ones due to the steep descend. Once we reach the bottom of the gorge, things are getting easier, although a long way to go. Halfway of our walk, we will find the actual village of Samaria, an old village whose inhabitants were relocated in 1962, when the gorge was declared a national park. The old houses still exist and they serve as houses for the guards of the forest police. Rest for a while and you might have the chance to see a "Kri Kri" trying to catch some food. A little further down is the church of Osia Maria, from which the name Samaria comes from. At the rest point of Christos, a shaded clearing, you will find the last spring in the gorge. A few minutes later we will reach the “Gates”, the narrowest and highest part of the gorge. After 2 km further, we will reach the guard post, marking our initials out of the National Park by entering the old village of Agia Roumeli. The path is considered very easy from this point, however there is no shade. We will soon see the sea ahead in which minutes later will enter the new village of Agia Roumeli and the cooling sea.Duration: 6 hoursPass By: Chora Sfakion | Hora Sfakion | Χώρα ΣφακίωνThe tour is completed by our return sailing trip from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, followed by the bus tour heading to our way back.