SAMARIA GORGE

Hiking at SAMARIA GORGE – TAKES PLACE DAY*

• Experience a challenging trek in Samaria Gorge
• Admire the stunning natural beauty on the drive to the White Mountains
• Swim in the refreshing cool waters of Agia Roumeli at the exit of the gorge
• Witness extraordinary rock formations
• Learn all about indigenous rare plants, flowers, bird species
• See the famous edangered Cretan Goat “Kri-Kri”

Must Have

• Proper footwear and socks
• A hat, sunglasses , a light jumper for the morning
• Sunscreen
• Bottle of water (you can refill from springs inside the gorge) and light
  snack
• Swimsuit and beach towel (extra socks is not a bad idea)

this hike is NOT suggested for: people facing
health problems, or suffering from conditions
affecting their lower extremities, pregnant women,
the elderly

Indicative Time-Table

• 05:15-6:30 Pick up from your hotel
• 7:40 Arrival to Omalos plateau(optional breakfast)
• 8:15 Arrival to Xyloskalo (entrance of the gorge – start hiking)
• 14:00-15:00 Recommend exit time from the gorge
• 16:00 Meeting time with the guide to give you boat tickets
• 17:30 Departure from Agia Roumeli by boat to Sfakia or Sougia (the guide will inform you)
• 18:30 Arrival to Sougia or Sfakia -boarding to the bus for the returning
• 20:00-21:00 Arrival to Chania

* the schedule may be subject to change

General Information 

The gorge of Samaria is the gem of the Wite Mountains; Hidden in the south part of the Chania district, it is the biggest gorge in Europe, covering an area of 18 kilometres 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. The trail of Samaria is the most visited trail in the whole of Greece. It is excellently equipped with signals and signs which eliminate the danger of getting lost, it is comfortable and very well cared for, mostly with stones and soil. It is not considered a very difficult hike, a vivid proof of which is the fact that hundreds of people cross it daily from the opening (in May) till the closing of its visiting season (in October). It is a very pleasant hike, not a stenuous one, with many landscape alternations and a versatile environment. One should always keep in mind, however, that though the trail as a whole is not tricky, one should be more careful during some parts of the trek.

Please note that the following are prohibited inside the
gorge: radios, singing, excessive noise, disposal of rubbish
in place other than those provided, smoking anywhere
other than the rest points, consumption of alcohol.

More Info:

• Drink plenty of water (you can refill your bottle from springs inside the gorgre)!
• Go slow in the first 2km of the walk & avoid stopping for a rest just below high cliffs
• Avoid resting for more than 15 minutes (especially if you are not used to this sort of walk) because your muscles will start to stiffen up and you will find it pretty hard to get going again.
• Whilst in the village of Samaria take a quiet walk around it, you will probably catch a glimpse of the “kri-kri’s” . The young ones get used to seeing people every day and are not that shy.
• Always look where you are heading. When you want to look around, make sure you don’t block the path and then look.
• Halfway down the gorge lies the old village of Samaria.The village of Samaria has a telephone for communication with the police, a pharmacy and two mules to transport injured people.