Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from designated spots around Chania via a luxurious bus and reach the starting point of your tour in Omalos Plateau around 7am. The panoramic view of the gorge from the plateau is a photophile's delight, so after short stop for pictures and/or breakfast, you will hop on the bus and depart for the traditional village of Sougia. It is there that you will hop on a boat and sail along the coast of Crete till you reach Agia Roumeli.
No holiday in Crete is complete without a trip through the 2nd longest gorge in Europe, the Gorge of Samaria. It is the longest and most imposing ravine in the Mediterranean. It is 16.5 kilometers in length from the position of Xyloskalo and terminates at Agia Roumeli in the Libyan Sea. We will arrive around 7 o’clock in the morning and after a short break you will start walking. Descending the 600 wooden steps you will be intrigued by the beauty and serenity of this massive gorge which is shadowed by the white Mountains. You will come across the church of St. Nicolas, built on the ruins of an ancient temple. Afterwards you will reach “Portes” or “Iron Gates”, the narrowest pass of the gorge. The hike ends at Agia Roumeli.
Agia Roumeli is the home of one Greece's most beautiful beaches. Nestled between mountains, this beach boasts some great scenery. A small village at the exit of the Samaria gorge on the south shores of Sfakia in Crete, with unique beauty and interesting historical background.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
A day before the tour operator will send you the exact pick up point and time with a map link. Pick up will be from your hotel or close by
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Pick up/Drop off is conducted only is select spots in Chania. Depending on your location, you will be advised on the time and place after booking.
- Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes for the trek through the gorge
- It is advisable to bring the following items with you: sunscreen, sunglasses and hat
- It is important to stay hydrated, so bring a bottle of water (you can refill it in the gorge's springs) and a light snack (fruits etc.)
- Υou can swim at Agia Roumeli beach just after you exit the gorge so make you have a swimsuit and beach towel with you
- Τhe entrance fee to Samaria as well as the boat fee are paid with cash on the spot
- Half way down the gorge lies the old village of Samaria, which has a telephone for communication with the police, a pharmacy, and two mules to transport injured persons.
- In the village of Samaria, take a quiet walk around and you may catch a glimpse of the endangered kri‐kri. They are usually very friendly towards people!
- Upon reservation please advise the exact name of your hotel in order to send you the exact pick up time and place
- Τhe trip is not recommended for any person with a history of knee problems, high blood pressure, cardiac and pulmonary problems, pregnant women and for anybody who suffers from vertigo/fear of heights
Reviews(398)
This was a highlight of my Chania trip! The hike, views, and our amazing guide Dafani was the absolute best! It was truly such a good day and by the end of the long hike you get to rest and swim in a very clear gorgeous beach! Definitely recommend for solo traveling too💖
Excellent experience, the organization was extremely well put together! Breathtaking landscapes, and the hike is the same ;). Plan for good shoes and be in good health, the hike is grueling!
Really great!! Bring good shoes/boots, bathing suit, a water bottle, proper clothes, a hat, and a very little snack. There is food to be purchased at the beginning and end of the hike. I would not recommend the trip for kids under 10.
The experience is exactly like other reviewers described it. It’s a long 10.5 mi hike start to finish but gorgeous and fun. The transportation and guide was well organized and helpful. We were sore for days but highly recommend it!
We had a fantastic day. Everything was well organised and smooth. Our guide, Nikos, was super welcoming, kind, caring, efficient, professional and always looking after everyone in the group. He spoke excellent English and was always willing to help us. Our driver, Markos, was also excellent, driving safely and smoothly. We highly recommend this excursion with this company . Martial and Jean-Marc
Challenging walk but wonderful experience! Nikos was a great leader. Bus driver was excellent. Highly recommend.
This is a big group tour experience - not really my cup of tea - but this was an easy & affordable way for a family to visit the Samaria Gorge. The guide was lovely but because of the numbers, his job was more crowd control/safety than history, geology, etc. Any off road walker will be fine with the length & challenge of it - & we did it on a particularly hot day that reached 39.5 (closed the day after). A huge day out of 12+ hours - with amazing swimming at the beach after. Loved the swimming, overall really enjoyed.
The best thing I did on my solo trip! It was nice to know there was guide getting me to and from the gorge and the bus and everything was organized! I blasted ahead and spent almost all of the walk alone and then had many hours at the beach . It was the best day! Such a beautiful hike and really clear directions too
Magnificent place Top-notch organization Hike with the children, plan for good shoes and water
It was a long and demanding day but worth it if you’re able to trek 9 miles at various altitudes and terrains. Diving into the Mediterranean Sea after a 6 hour hike was remarkable. You really get to see a lot of Crete on this trip.
