Tennis shoes or walking boots are recommended. Samaria Gorge can only be hiked in the warm months of the year. The Samaria Gorge has rightly become one of the iconic hiking destinations of Europe. The length of the gorge reaches 14.5km and takes almost 5-7 hours to hike from Xyloskalo at Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli beach, depending on the trekking pace. Popular: Booked by 360 travelers! At 16 kilometers, Samaria Gorge is one of the longest gorges in Europe (some sources say the longest, others the second longest), is located in Crete’s only national park, and provides stunning views all day long. As with any long hike, you need to be prepared. The deepest gorge in Chania is the gorge of Aradaina. Free late cancellation (till 24 hours from the experience) are accepted anyway. Samaria Gorge is one of many beautiful gorges in Crete and one of the places you should visit on your Crete holidays.. While some say that the gorge is 18 km … Duration 2h 11m Estimated price 80€ - 100€ Taxi Limo Chania Phone +30 697 797 9061 Website taxilimochania.gr Radio Taxi Hermes Phone +30 698 673 1880 Website chaniataxi.gr Crete Taxi Transfers Phone +30 693 724 9486 Website cretetaxitransfers.gr. If you have slight knee or hip problems, you may want to bring, Bring a backpack to carry your water and snacks (I use a. ).-We will reach Ag. Hiking Samaria gorge (Φαράγγι Σαμαριάς) in western Crete, south of Chania, is a great activity if you want to experience the island’s raw nature. This is one of the biggest and most formidable gorges in Europe. The Samaria Gorge has been declared a national park because of the extremely rare flora and fauna. There are plenty of things to see and do on Crete. There are a number of stopping points along the route, where you’ll find toilets and drinking water. Well worth doing this walk, which we did comfortably in 4 hours with breaks along the way . Each year, about 250,000 - 300,000 visitors cross the gorge of Samaria during its operation, from early May to mid October. A hiking trip through Samaria Gorge in Chania for a amazing adventure in Crete's mountains. Get ready to be wowed by the gorge, as high limestone cliffs and quaint village create the background for a great hike. Days. Joining a Samaria Gorge tour means all the logistics are taken care of by someone else and all you have to do is enjoy the hike. Traverse it in safety with a professional mountain guide on this small-group door-to-door tour. © 2008 – 2020 GetYourGuide. At the halfway point is the remains of a more modern settlement. Quick View. Trek over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees, along a river and by freshwater springs. The walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. Just 38km from the town of Chania and we will have reached a height of 1250 meters above sea level. It’s a no-worries experiences. Dramatic gorge walls after the old Samaria village halfway down. After refueling, there are two more kilometers to the coast and the town of Agia Roumeli. The Samaria Gorge Greece is situated in the southern part of the Regional Unit of Chania (western Crete), between the main volume of the White Mountains and Mount Volakias.Most of it belongs to the Municipality of Sfakia and a smaller part to the Municipality of Platanias. Hike the UNESCO protected gorge of Crete with an expert mountain guide. I said to Rome that if the shops in Agia Roumeli were smart they would sell flip flops and bathing suits. Samaria Exterior. Samaria Gorge Lazy Way from Chania in Crete. Hotels. Nevertheless, there’s an undeniable raw beauty to Samaria, where vertical walls soar up to 500m and are just 3.5m apart at the narrowest point (150m at the broadest). Enjoy a trek in the gorge on a 12-hour excursion that begins with a pick-up in Chania and a drive to Omalos, in the White Mountains. Share. Soaking your feet in the water is the best feeling after a long hike, though beware the pebbly shore gets hot and the rocks can hurt your feet as you walk into the water. Finish in Agia Roumeli then board a boat to Sfakia, where the bus will return you home. Make sure to cover your head and bring sunscreen – the sun is very bright here. Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Samaria Gorge. If you are planning to hike the entire trail, there are two ways to get to Samaria Gorge. The only drawback is having to rush through the falling rock zone as it is hsrd going. Dragon arum flowers look like something from the Jurassic period, large and deep reddish-purple. Book a full-day Samaria gorge hiking tour or the 'Samaria lazy way'; either way, this private hiking tour in Chania will be one of the best things to do on your holidays in Crete. Samaria Gorge, one of the largest canyons in Europe, is one of the major attractions on the island of Crete and of course in the prefecture of Chania. Your home base for this loop trip is Hania, a city on Crete's north coast serviced frequently by the overnight boat from Athens. Its width ranges from between 150m to 3m at its narrowest point. Many hikers kept on walking without a second glance. Length 9.9 mi Elevation gain 9215 ft Route type Point to point Hiking Nature trips Walking Bird watching Beach River Views Wildflowers Rocky Get ready to be wowed by the gorge, as high limestone cliffs and quaint village create the background for a great hike. This was a well organized tour. $409.07 per adult. Quick View. Enjoy a challenging hike through the amazing landscapes of limestone cliffs and quaint villages as you take in spectacular views. A 12 hours full day excursion from Chania; Visit the famous around the world Samaria Gorge; Get to see the famous Cretan Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus creticus) or Kri Kri. Chania is the closest city to the Samaria Gorge trailhead which means your drive before and after the hike will be the shortest, as opposed to starting from Rethimno or Iraklion. The entrance is open May 1 through October 30. Check the Tour from Chania. After the area was converted into a national park, all human inhabitants of Samaria Gorge were relocated. It took us seven hours to hike the 16 kilometers from the Xyloskalo trailhead to Agia Roumeli. Made in Zurich & Berlin. It is the longest gorge in Greece and forms part of the E4 hiking trail that traverses Europe. Chania is the closest city to the Samaria Gorge trailhead which means your drive before and after the hike will be the shortest, as opposed to starting from Rethimno or Iraklion. The length of the Gorge is 16km (10mi), and you need 5-6 hours to walk through it. It is sure to be a highlight of your world travels and is without a doubt an epic hike. The hike through the gorge is 16km, 13km for the hike in the gorge itself and a further 3km from the exit of the park to Agia Roumeli on the southern coast of Crete. When you finish the walk at Agia Roumeli you then have to get the ferry to Hora Sfakia where you pick up a bus back to Chania. Wear good sturdy hiking shoes, a hat to block the sun, and sunscreen. If there is one thing you do when visiting the Greek island of Crete, you must hike Samaria Gorge. The walk through Samaria National Park is 13 km long, but one has to walk another two kilometers to Agia Roumeli from the park exit, making the hike 15 km long. You could easily walk all the way to Samaria if you wanted to, even if you need to catch the evening ferry out of the village. If you prefer to save a few euros and get to Samaria Gorge on your own, you can take a public bus to Samaria Gorge. It is a fairly strenuous hike but so worth it. The Samaria Gorge is one of Europe’s longest gorges. After taking a lunch break at the Samaria settlement, we continued on to where our surroundings really began to look like a gorge. At some points the gorge is only 3 meters wide and you may have to climb over boulders. The gorge of Samaria is the longest in Europe. Samaria Gorge Hiking Day Tour From Rethymno . This small-group tour to Samaria Gorge, from Chania, is running from May 2nd till October 15th. Spectacular views assured, with the knowledge that you have manned support stations along the tracks +WCs. On this full-day excursion you’ll be picked up in Chania and travel by comfortable bus to the park. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. The various terrain that you go through and the scenery is magical. Discover and book Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania … The Samaria Gorge has taken its name from the village of Samaria (abandoned today). The walking tour from one end of Samaria gorge to the other is a challenging 18 kilometers. How To Get To Samaria Gorge From Chania. The 16km canyon runs from a plateau in the shadow of Crete’s White Mountains all the way to the Libyan Sea. On this full-day excursion you’ll be picked up in Chania and travel by comfortable bus to the park. The famous Gorge of Samaria in Chania, Crete Greece: The Gorge of Samaria lies on the southern side of Chania prefecture and is a wonderful place for hikers. Until 1962, families lived in the tiny village of Samaria in the shade of the soaring walls of the gorge. You have to be physically fit to hike Samaria Gorge. Your hike begins in Omalos, as you follow the path of an ancient river through rugged mountain landscapes. Get ready to be wowed by the gorge, as high limestone cliffs and quaint village create the background for a great hike. The Samaria Gorge hike starts at the Xyloskalo trailhead at an altitude of 1,250 meters in the midst of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori). A must for the visitors of Crete is to complete the walk down the gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, from where tourists either sail to the nearby village of Sougia or Hora Sfakion (where they can spend a night) or catch a bus back to Chania. You can admire the beautiful nature and take a lot of photos. The gorge has a length of 16 km, starting at an altitude of 1,250 m., in Xyloskalo and ending on the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli.It is quite long (4 to 6 hours hiking), so you should be prepared for a quite rough route. A few guests had an interest in doing a hike there, having heard about a previous hike from Hotel Director Ryszard. Get your trekking fill in the Samaria Gorge, the White Mountains, and parts of the southern coast before exploring local towns only accessible by foot or boat. Its length is 18km. Enjoy a trek in the gorge on a 12-hour excursion that begins with a pick-up in Chania and a drive to Omalos, in the White Mountains. For more information, read our, Enjoy a hike through the stunning Samariá Gorge, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Learn about the history of the area from an expert local guide, Take in views of high limestone cliffs and quaint villages, The terrain in the gorge is rough, rocky, and uneven and the hike is not suitable for anyone who has heart problems or is unfit, or for pregnant women, Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, The free transfer service is only available in certain areas of Crete due to the size of the island, An additional charge will be payable at the time of booking for the transfer service for customers staying outside of this area. You’ll reach the end of the gorge at Agia Roumeli, and stop for a break and a bite to eat (the price of the food is not included). This Samaria Gorge Tour starts from Rethymno very early in the morning, with a very similar route as the one from Chania. Once in it felt great. Samaria Gorge "The Lazy Way" View The Lazy Way to Samaria Gorge in a larger Google map If you find yourself on the region of Sfakia, or on the south coast of the prefecture of Chania, don't miss the chance to get the ferry to Agia Roumeli and from there to walk the opposite direction within the Samaria gorge, up to the famous Gates 1 , which is the narrowest point in the gorge. If you prefer company, just meander with the majority. Did the Samaria Gorge hike with Io Tours, and it was definitely the highlight of my 3+ week trip throughout Greece. When you’re hiking Samaria gorge, you cross the river 20-30 times, mostly via stepping stones, as you descend. Sure enough, when we got into town, we found a shop selling those very things. The most difficult part of the hike is the first couple kilometers that are extremely steep. Just because this is a tour does not mean you’ll be walking with a large group of people. Sheer cliffs and mighty peaks surround the fertile highland plain of Omalos where ancient olive trees still grow. Samaria Village — this is the main stopping point of your hike, situated in the middle of the gorge. per person. Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania What makes Samaria Gorge epic? Quick View. $43.39 per adult. Be sure to take a peek into the open churches. The gorge of Samaria is counted among the top-destinations of the Chania district and a journey to Chania can never be considered complete, unless you visit the gorge… you should therefore venture a visit there and believe us when we say that its beauty will not let you down… I bought a cute pair of blue and white Hellas flip flops as a souvenir and threw my shoes into a plastic sack. While everywhere else you’ll want to go on the island of Crete is accessible by car, you won’t want to go to Samaria Gorge by car if you’re planning on hiking. We highly recommend staying in Chania if hiking Samaria Gorge. Some of the flowers that can be seen growing on the plateaus are peonies, dragon arum, marjoram, anemones, white asphodels, yellow phlomis, and irises. Initially we descend from Xyloskalo to the riverbed of Samaria Gorge The gorge is locarted at the South of Chania Prefecture in the larger uninhabited area of Europe, where no roads even exist. More info. Get our latest travel stories, travel destination information, and more straight into your INBOX for free. If there is one thing that people really should do when visiting Crete, it is hiking the Samaria Gorge. They work full-time in non-travel related jobs, but take every opportunity they can to travel the world during their limited vacation time. Get your trekking fill in the Samaria Gorge, the White Mountains, and parts of the southern coast before exploring local towns only accessible by foot or boat. It is mostly downhill (particularly steep in the beginning). Make sure you have good quality walking shoes and be sure to bring along your bathers and towel as your met by the Libian Sea at Agia Roumeli. MUST DO!!! The entrance of the Samaria Gorge where you enter at 08:00 . You can still find traces of previous life here as some of the old houses have been restored to house modern facilities such as the doctors office and guard point. In the gorge, there is a variety of several rare endemic species as well as many species of flowers and birds. You would also need water bottle, don’t bring a large one – you can refill on the way. It was a little chilly when we got out of the bus, but we warmed up quickly when we started walking, so I’m glad I didn’t bring a jacket that I would have had to carry. The main advantage of those tours is that you don’t have to organize anything regarding booking tickets … At this spot, in the late 1700s, there was an uprising against the Turks who were pursuing thousands of women and children hiding in the gorge. This guided 10-mile (16-km) walk takes you to a place of stunning natural beauty. Hidden in the south part of the Chania district, it is the biggest gorge in Europe, covering an area of 18 kilometres in length. Hike the UNESCO protected gorge of Crete with an expert mountain guide. Taxi from Chania Old Town to Samariá Gorge Ave. The buildings have been converted to house the forest outpost, medical center, and lodgings for researchers. It is a fairly strenuous hike but so worth it. Initially we descend from Xyloskalo to the riverbed of Samaria Gorge The gorge is locarted at the south of Chania Prefecture in the larger uninhabited area of Europe, where no roads even exist. Everyday mules pick their way along the trail in case any hikers have an accident and are unable to walk out of the gorge on their own. Visitors from all over the world attempt trekking at this gorge. It also means you’ll get there earlier than hikers coming from other cities and will therefore have a less crowded hiking trail and more time to hike. A few announcements later, enough guests and crew had signed up for another "AzAmazing" adventure! -From Chania we will drive to Omalos, the entrance of Samaria gorge (1 hr). The 138 meter deep gorge is ideal not only for sightseeing or hiking but for bunjee jumping as well. Samaria Gorge Chania, Crete. 1 review. You’ll return by boat to Sougia where you’ll be picked up by the coach. Comfortable hiking shoes (preferably with ankle support) are a must, because the path is uneven at times. Did you enjoy this article? At our feet was a steep trail winding its way down the mountain into the depths of the gorge. Although 500-1,000 visitors hike here a day, you can forge ahead and hike virtually alone. Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania. Even though it was 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon, we barely broke a sweat since most of the hike is shaded and the running water of the river cools the air. One of the many reasons people come to Chania and Western Crete is to hike down the Samaria Gorge, an 18 kilometer crack that cuts through the white mountains and ends at the Libyan Sea. With traditional villages and plenty of warm Mediterranean sunshine, the Samaria Gorge is the longest of its kind in Europe—but it’s also a challenging and rewarding hike, considered by many to be among the toughest in Crete. The Samaria Gorge trail starts with a precipitous hike downhill along a switchback path sometimes bordered by a wooden handrail. Samaria Gorge has been inhabited since the beginning of time. Experienced gorge guide; Pickup / drop off at your hotel; Description. Beautiful hike with a well-managed tour. Sometimes crossings are made by hopping from stone to stone and other times by traversing wood bridges. If I came back I would hike one of the other less crowded gorges. There is an early morning bus from Chania bus station to Xsiloskalo, the enterance of the Samaria Gorge. Enjoy a challenging hike through the amazing landscapes of limestone cliffs and quaint villages as you take in spectacular views. 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