Samaria Gorge

Samaria Gorge, one of Europe’s longest(16 Kms) and most breathtaking gorges, is a top hiking destination in Crete, located within Samaria National Park in the White Mountains, in the regional unit of Chania. The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as Iron Gates, where the width is only 4m, and the height is almost 300 m.

The visitors walk down the gorge from Omalus plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, at which point tourists take ferries to the nearby village of Sougia or Hora Sfakion, where they could spend a night there. Alternatively, they take a coach back to Chania. The walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer.

Visitors to the Samaria Gorge can embark on an exhilarating trek, navigating through narrow pathways and rocky terrain while immersing themselves in the tranquility of the surrounding wilderness. Along the way, hikers encounter diverse flora and fauna, including rare Cretan species such as the kri-kri (Cretan goat). The gorge also offers refreshing opportunities to cool off in natural pools and streams.