Samaria Gorge
Despite the crowds who tramp through the
Samaria Gorge (28210 67179; admission €5;
6am-3pm May–mid-Oct), a trek through this stupendous gorge is still an experience to remember.
At 16km, the Samaria (sah-mah-rih-ah) Gorge is supposedly the longest in Europe.
It begins just below the Omalos Plateau, carved out by the river that flows between the peaks
of Avlimanakou (1857m) and Volakias (2116m). Its width varies from 150m to 3m and its vertical walls reach 500m at their highest points.
The gorge has an incredible number of wild flowers, which are at their best in April and May.
It is also home to a large number of endangered species, including the Cretan wild goat, the kri-kri, which survives in the wild only here and on the islet of Kri-Kri, off the coast of Agios Nikolaos.
The gorge was made a national park in 1962 to save the kri-kri from extinction. You are
unlikely to see too many of these shy animals, which show a marked aversion to trekkers.
The gorge was made a national park in 1962 to save the kri-kri from extinction. You are
unlikely to see too many of these shy animals, which show a marked aversion to trekkers.
An early start (before 8am) helps to avoid the worst of the crowds, but even the early bus from
Hania to the top of the gorge can be packed. My tipi dwellers can arrange a lift with me :)
There’s no spending the night in the gorge so you must complete the hike in the time allocated.
The trek from Xyloskalo, the name of the steep stone pathway with wooden rails that gives access to the gorge, to Agia Roumeli takes from between 4½ hours for the sprinters to six hours for
the strollers. Early in the season it’s sometimes necessary to wade through the stream. Later, as the flow drops, it’s possible to use rocks as stepping stones.
Hania to the top of the gorge can be packed. My tipi dwellers can arrange a lift with me :)
There’s no spending the night in the gorge so you must complete the hike in the time allocated.
The trek from Xyloskalo, the name of the steep stone pathway with wooden rails that gives access to the gorge, to Agia Roumeli takes from between 4½ hours for the sprinters to six hours for
the strollers. Early in the season it’s sometimes necessary to wade through the stream. Later, as the flow drops, it’s possible to use rocks as stepping stones.
The gorge is wide and open for the first 6km, until you reach the abandoned settlement of
Samaria. The inhabitants were relocated when the gorge became a national park.
Just south of the village is a small church dedicated to Saint Maria of Egypt,
after whom the gorge is named.
Samaria. The inhabitants were relocated when the gorge became a national park.
Just south of the village is a small church dedicated to Saint Maria of Egypt,
after whom the gorge is named.
The gorge then narrows and becomes more dramatic until, at the 11km mark, the walls are only 3.5m apart – the famous Iron Gates (Sidiroportes). Here a rickety wooden pathway leads trekkers
the 20m or so over the water and through to the other side.
The gorge ends at the 12.5km mark just north of the almost abandoned village of
Old Agia Roumeli. From here it’s a further uninteresting 2km hike to the welcoming seaside resort
of Agia Roumeli, where most hikers end up taking a refreshing dip in the sea.
the 20m or so over the water and through to the other side.
The gorge ends at the 12.5km mark just north of the almost abandoned village of
Old Agia Roumeli. From here it’s a further uninteresting 2km hike to the welcoming seaside resort
of Agia Roumeli, where most hikers end up taking a refreshing dip in the sea.
(Samaria Gorge was acknowledged in 2010 as one of the wildest, most virgin and unique natural parks in the world and was included in the World Network of
Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) of UNESCO).
Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) of UNESCO).
Walking Holiday
Crete Tipis is a great place to enjoy a week walking in beautiful Western Crete. From the charm of Chania’s vibrant Old Town, built around a picturesque harbour with tall Venetian houses and quaint narrow streets. Chania has numerous attractions including the
excellent naval and archaeological museums and covered markets. The wild countryside, interspersed with attractive villages, gorges and archaelogical remains; dramatic coastline tracks and lush beach paths all make for a great week’s walking. Add in the local cuisine, swimming from sandy beaches, spectacular vistas and breathtaking scenery and you have the perfect mix. |
Visiting Samaria Gorge from the Tipis
I can deliver you to the main entrance and then collect you at the end of the day from sougia following a ferry from agia roumeli to sougia.....start 9 am back at 8pm 25 euros |