K
Buyer beware!
Wow! Much longer, harder and intense than I anticipated. I’m in good shape but I’ve never done hiking quite like this. Make sure this is for you before you sign up.
Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide
+10 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Price from
- $46 / person
- Location
- Chania, Greece
- Rating
- 4.5 / 5 · 407 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 50
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Fantasy Travel
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.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 6:00 AM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 14
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $46
- Youth (ages 13–17)
- $46
- Child (ages 5–12)
- $23
- Infant (ages 0–4)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Omalos
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.
Samaria Gorge National Park
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
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.
What's included
Included
All Fees and Taxes
Air-Conditioned Luxury Bus
Hiking Escort
Full Liability Insurance
Not included
Personal expenses, extra beverages or meals
• Boat Fare: 15 euros //Up to 12,99 yrs : 7,50 €
Entrance fee: EU CITIZENS: 0-17FREE/ 18-64(10,00 €)/ 65+ (FREE)
Entrance Fee: OTHER NATIONALITIES: 0-4FREE/ 5-64(10,00 €)No discount for 65+ (10,00 €)
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
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.5
407 reviews
How it compares in Chania
- No. 5 by number of reviews among 393 tours in Chania
Excurgo comparison of 393 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
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
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide lasts about 14 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $46 per person for this Chania experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 6:00 AM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 5–12 pay from $23, adults from $46. Infants go free.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. 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 Pickup points include Castalia Apartments, Hotel Splanzia.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 50 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 407 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Fantasy Travel.
Reviews(407)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
C
Highlight of our trip!!...
Highlight of our trip!! Bus drive to the start was super easy and we had a beautiful sunrise. The hike was challenging, as expected, but totally manageable. Take your time and enjoy the views. Absolutely recommend!
J
Our guide was Nikos and...
Our guide was Nikos and he made this a very seamless experience. Started off with a shuttle to the top, stopped at a nice cafe/tavern, and hiked for about 10-11miles before reaching the beach. We took our time and had plenty of time to relax and have fun by the beach. Would recommend wearing at least a thick sole shoe as it is really rocky and unstable grounds.
L
Poor experience due to booking failure
The operator cancelled our original booking, then "rebooked" us on another day. When the bus arrived, they refused to pick us up because our name was not on the list. We then could not contact anyone via the numbers given. Very disappointing.
M
It's worth it!!!
My husband and I were a bit apprehensive to book after hearing how crowded and long this hike would be, but we are SO glad we booked this tour. It's very rocky/slick for a portion of the hike, so wear some shoes with grip. We both wore sneakers because we didn't want to pack our hiking boots, but they definitely would've been more helpful. Absolutely recommend renting at least one hiking pole from the guide when offered to help navigate the steeper sections. Despite being sore for a couple of days after, we were so happy with our experience. The views are worth the long day!
X
Early start but so worth it
As first timers to Crete me and my husband wanted to explore. We saw this pop up as a day out and it didn’t disappoint. Our guide Dimitrius was brilliant he was very informative and helped us know what to expect. He even gave us the QR code for the tickets so you can skip the line. The price was very reasonable for both the whole excursion and the admission to the park and the ferry back. It was all very well organised. It is a very early start time but it’s so worth it. On the way to the gorge you get to see the sunrise while on the coach. You do need to make sure you wear proper hiking boots or very comfy and sterdy trainers as the ground is very rugged and you have to watch your step a lot. There are places to stop and take a moment to re fill water or just have a break also a nice little stop point to have a food break (take a packed lunch) this is at the old settlement. The beach stop point is definitely worth it and well needed time to cool off I suggest you take beach shoes as the pebbles are VERY hot Overall we loved it Views are amazing and scenery is just beautiful
E
Take it easy!
The pickup went well, no problems encountered. The walk itself was fine to do, if you are not fit it is also doable. The delivery was a bit annoying. If you finish the walk too early, you must wait until 5:30 PM for the (only) boat trip back to the "civilized" world. Take it easy then! The guide, Nikos, was very friendly and made jokes. All the previously provided information was clear, only the information regarding the boat was not...
A
Amazing trip, highly...
Amazing trip, highly recommend to anyone interested in hiking the Samaria Gorge! The views were fantastic and you get to hike the trail on your own pace. After all the hiking you get to relax on the beach and eat at the local restaurants. Our guide Nikos was great and very helpful too.
L
Wow stunning and fun
Medium difficulty, very ro ky, wear good sturdy shoes, stunning views, well organised, be prepared, spring water available regularly.
S
Book it without hesitation!
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💖
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide | 14 hours | 4.5 (407) | $46 | |
 Chania: Samaria Hiking Tour (with local guide) | 10 hours | 5.0 (3) | $51 | View |
 Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide | 12 hours | 4.6 (60) | $33 | View |
 Full-Day Samaria Gorge Hiking Tour from Chania | 14 hours | 4.0 (6) | $45 | View |
 Full Day Samaria Gorge Hiking Adventure from Heraklion Areas | 12 hours | — | $51 | View |
 Full-Day Beginner's Hiking Route Tour to Samaria Gorge | 14–15 hours | 3.3 (7) | $45 | View |
 PRIVATE Hiking Walking GORGE nearby Hersonissos CRETE | 4 hours | 5.0 (14) | $125 | View |
from$46
4.5(407) Free cancellation