Samaria Gorge

Get ready for an unforgettable journey through one of Europe’s longest and most breathtaking gorges! This is a full-day hiking adventure, ideal for nature lovers and active explorers. You’ll hike approximately 16 kilometers through dramatic landscapes, towering cliffs, ancient forests, and the famous narrow passage known as the “Iron Gates.” Along the way, you might spot the rare Cretan wild goat (Kri-Kri) and enjoy the rich, wild beauty of Crete's national park. The hike typically takes between 5 to 7 hours, depending on your pace, and ends at the peaceful seaside village of Agia Roumeli. Here, you’ll have free time to relax, enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear Libyan Sea, and have lunch at one of the charming seaside tavernas. After recharging by the sea, we board the ferry-boat to Sougia, cruising along Crete’s rugged southern coastline. At Sougia, our bus will be waiting to comfortably drive you back to Chania after a day full of adventure and natural beauty.

Samaria Gorge is the most beautiful National Park of Crete and one of the longest ones in Europe. The flora and fauna of this place is incredible. Enjoy a full day tour that will end at the Libyan sea where you can find the opportunity to enjoy lunch and a swim in the crystal clear waters.

Enjoy a challenging trek through one of the longest and most famous gorges in Europe. On this excursion from Chania you’ll marvel at natural wonders throughout the day, from the White Mountains to thousand-year-old forests and more. Samaria Gorge, the longest and likely the best-known gorge in Europe, lies 4,000 feet above sea level. Your full-day (12-hour) excursion to Samaria Gorge begins with a pick-up 6.00 a.m. from Chania and a drive to Omalos, in the heart of the White Mountains, where you can enjoy breakfast before you start the hike. The trek will take you over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees and along a river and by fresh-water springs. Along the way, you’ll have spectacular views of Crete’s most beautiful mountain range and you are likely to see mountain goats roaming in the wild. You will be accompanied by a professional mountain escort who speaks English.

Samaria gorge is the longest in Europe and one of the most impressive gorges in Greece. Follow the path through this famous gorge, marvel its natural landscape, from the White Mountains to thousand-year-old forests and the river across it. At the end of the path, you will find the village of Agia Roumeli, where people can swim, relax at the beach, or find a tavern to have lunch within full view of the Mediterranean Sea.

This is a challenging walking tour from one end of the gorge to the other (18 kms). Start  in Chania with 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.

Grab your proper shoes and get ready for the 16km hike! Get ready for a lifetime experience and be ready to have your breath taken away by the astonishing view. The descent of the gorge will start early in the morning and it will last about 5-6 hours (depending on the visitor). Along the length of the gorge you will cross a wonderful landscape with little lakes, huge rocks discovered by the bed of the torrent. All together we will get on the boat with destination the city of Sfakia the CHECKINCRETA’s bus will waiting for us to take us back to the hotel. It’s necessary to have with you a hat, sunscreen, a bottle of water and some fruits. All along the way of the Gorge, you could find water spot as well as toilets. The guide of our agency CHECKINCRETA, will follow you all along the day and will stay with the last persons of the group. Pregnant women as well as persons with health problems are not allowed to do this excursion.

Explore Samaria Gorge on this full-day sightseeing adventure tour if you search for a unique hiking experience with a local tour guide. Hiking the 16km-long Samaria Gorge, one of Europe's longest canyons, is high on the list of must-dos for many visitors to Crete. There’s an undeniable raw beauty to the canyon, with its soaring cliffs and needlenose passageways. After the long trek enjoy an invigorating dip in the cool waters of Agia Roumeli at the exit of the Gorge.

There is no better way to experience the real side of Crete, than to traverse the island's unspoiled soil, swim in its crystal waters and stroll down its traditional villages. This hiking tour of the Samaria Gorge will give you the opportunity to do all 3 and in your own pace. Samaria Gorge is one of the most scenic national parks in Europe, this gorge stretches more than 10 miles to the south coastal region and offers many hiking trails. If you search for unique hiking experience in Crete the Samaria is the place!

A true miracle that any nature lover must experience. Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe, measuring 16 km, giving you the opportunity to meet rare structures and species of the Cretan flora and fauna like the unique goat species named Kri-Kri that one can only find in Crete. Through a beautiful route among small traditional mountainous villages you reach Xyloskalo in the plateau of Omalos, the northern entrance of the gorge at an altitude of 1,250 m. As you keep walking you will pass from the “Sideroportes” (Iron doors) the narrowest point of Samaria, ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli where you can definitely rest, eat and swim. It is exactly what you need! Apart from this, during your hike there are a lot of interesting historical points like the temple of Apollo, giving you a great combination of nature and Greek History.

A unique walk through the Samaria Gorge, the largest in Europe, with a length of about 18 kilometers, will allow you not only to admire the breathtaking views and the wildlife, but also to test yourself. Samaria Gorge is located in the heart of the majestic "White Mountains", south of Omalos plateau. Tourist route begins at an altitude of 1250 meters above sea level along the trail with wooden fences, laid down the mountainside. The narrowest and probably the most picturesque place called "Portes" – gates, where cliffs rise to a height of 500 meters, while the width of the river gorge at only 3-4 meters. 47 bridges cross the river Tarraios passing through the White Mountains and the valley. You will meet with the inhabitants of the reserve – wild goats Kri-Kri or see rare species of orchids. After 4-6 hours of walking, you will get out to the beautiful Agia Roumeli beach, where you can swim in its crystal waters and have lunch. The boat will take you back to the bus.

Enjoy a challenging trek through one of the longest and most famous gorges in Europe. On this excursion from Rethymno you’ll marvel at natural wonders throughout the day, from the White Mountains to thousand-year-old forests and more. Your escort will be there to explain all the necessary information about your hike and provide you the tickets for the entrance and ferry boat. Entrance fee : 5€ (children up to the age of 15 years old are free of charge). Ferry fee : 13€ ( Sougia ferry). These fees have to be paid to the guide upon arrival. After your breakfast you enter the Samaria Gorge. At the end of the trek you’ll visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars and shops. Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. Late in the afternoon you’ll board a boat that will take you from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the starting point.

The gorge of Samaria is the gem of the White Mountains; hidden in the south part of the Chania district, it is the biggest gorge in Europe, covering an area of 18 kilometers in length. The gorge’s trail starts at Ksyloskalo (Omalos plateau, 1.227 meters altitude) and after following the river bed, it ends up at the littoral village of Agia Roumeli. After reaching Omalos, we stop at a traditional tavern, giving you the chance to have breakfast or drink coffee (optional) before you enter the gorge. · Subsequently, you pass through the entrance to the gorge and start your hike. In the gorge you walk at your own pace. Our escort comes in an hour after you for safety reasons, so as to follow after you. · The gorge ends up at the village of Agia Roumeli. · At 17:30 you go aboard the ferry, Sougia or Sfakia (usually Sougia) being your destination.

Put on your walking shoes for a full-day Samaria Gorge hike in Crete. Traveling with a comfortable air-conditioned coach, we head into Crete’s the White Mountains to the entrance of the spectacular gorge, one of Europe’s longest. Starting our trip to Samaria Gorge early in the morning and towards Omalos. On the bus, our guide will provide you with useful information about the place, the history, the formation of the White Mountains, the flora, the fauna, and some tips for the safety and regulations inside the gorge. During the trip, we have a short refreshment stop and then we follow the way to Xyloskalo which is the entrance to the Gorge. The hiking is free which means you can keep your own pace while crossing the gorge. Finishing the Samaria Gorge hike you will reach the amazing beachside village of Agia Roumeli which is one of the most unspoiled beaches of South Crete.

The 18 km hike starts in Xyloskalo. You will discover a wide variety of fauna and flora, much of which is unique and found exclusively on this island, and you see the Kri-Kri, the wild Cretan goat. The ever-changing view and the wonderful scent of pinewood and Cretan Herbs make this walk, which is rocky at some points, a wonderful experience and make all the effort worthwhile. The isolated, deserted village of Samaria makes the ideal place for a rest before you continue to the 'Iron Gates', the point where the canyon walls are so close that they almost touch each other. Enjoy the fantastic rock formations and take advantage of this unique chance to taste the fresh , cold spring water. The walk ends at the small fishing village of Ayia Roumeli, with plenty of tavernas for you to enjoy a tasty meal and that well-earned drink. Relax on the beach and cool off in the turquoise waters of the Libyan Sea.

Enjoy one of two journeys to the Samaria gorge with a professional guide. Choose the long option, where you will trek for approximately 6-7 hours or the easy option, where you will hike for around 4.5-5 hours. Both choices will give you time to enjoy lunch in a typical tavern and swimming in the Lybian Sea. Early in the morning we start our excursion from  North parts of Rethymno areas and from different pick up points that provide easy access from all hotels. We inform you by email by sending you the voucher with the pick up point and the time in order to there and meet your bus. You have a telephone number in case of emergency. You will have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautify natural park in the world and spend a day that you remember for ever. The Samaria gorge is the longest one in Europe.   

We will pick you up early in the morning. After a small stop to Xyloskalo we start hiking. You can walk with your pace, our guide will foloww the last one of the group. At the end og the gorge we will have time to swim in the Lybian sea. Later we will take a boat to Sougia, where our airconditioned bus will drive you at the pick up point.

Enjoy a challenging trek through one of the longest and most famous gorges in Europe. On this excursion from Georgioupolis you’ll marvel at natural wonders throughout the day, from the White Mountains to thousand-year-old forests and more. After your breakfast you enter the Samaria Gorge. At the end of the trek you’ll visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars and shops. Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. Late in the afternoon you’ll board a boat that will take you from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the starting point.

If you are tired of walking but want photos for you Insta-followers, If you do not I feel like walking today but want to admire the terrific natural environment. If you want to live a superior experience without getting tired, then this excursion is made for you! We will arrive around 7 o’clock in the morning and after breakfast, you will have the chance to photo-shoot the entrance of the gorge and admire the creation of nature. The hiking guide will give you all the necessary instructions and then he will enter the gorge with the rest of the group (you will meet again at Agia Roumeli). The driver will take you to the small village of Sougia where you embark on the boat to reach the village of Agia Roumeli which is the exit of the gorge of Samaria. You can walk until the exit of the gorge, to the “Iron Gates” or swim and have a lunch there until you meet with the rest of the group.

Explore the most majestic gorge in Europe and get ready to live a unique experience. Follow the route of the ancient river Taras and discover the longest and hottest trek on Crete the SAMARIA GORGE

Enjoy a challenging trek through one of the longest and most famous gorges in Europe. On this excursion from Panormo or Lavris you’ll marvel at natural wonders throughout the day, from the White Mountains to thousand-year-old forests and more. Your escort will be there to explain all the necessary information about your hike and provide you the tickets for the entrance and ferry boat. Entrance fee: 5€ (children up to the age of 15 years old are free of charge). Ferry fee: 13€ ( Sougia ferry). These fees have to be paid to the guide upon arrival. After your breakfast you enter the Samaria Gorge. At the end of the trek you’ll visit the village of Agia Roumeli, where you’ll find a number of taverns, bars and shops. Enjoy some free time to take a swim or have some lunch. Late in the afternoon you’ll board a boat that will take you from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia, where the bus will be waiting to transfer you back to the starting point.