Samaria Gorge Hike: Europe's Largest Canyon Trek

Embark on a thrilling hike through Europe’s largest gorge, the Samaria Gorge, and be captivated by its stunning views, diverse wildlife, and challenging terrain. Experience the beauty of the White Mountains and encounter rare species along the way. Conclude your adventure with a refreshing swim and a delicious lunch at Agia Roumeli beach.

Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Samaria Gorge - The Samaria gorge is located on a height of 1227 meters above sea level. This is the longest gorge in Europe: 18km pathway and width from 3 to 300 meters.

The walking tour begins in the early morning from Omalos plateau 43 km from the city of Chania. Walking time is about 5-6 hours, so be sure to take some water and something to eat. Before entering the gorge and at the exit there are taverns where you can dine, and throughout the whole journey you will have to be content with only your own reserves. Descenting along the picturesque mountain stream will take you to the southern coast of the island to Agia Roumeli. After relaxing and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea, you will go on a small boat along the southern coast of Crete to the port of Chora Sfakon where you will wait for the bus.

Take very seriously the decision to visit the gorge, especially if you have health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The path has to be overcome at a sufficiently energetic pace with the air temperature reaching sometimes up to thirty-odd degrees in the shade.
The duration is 12-16 hours, depends on your pick-up.

What's Included
  • Transfer with air-conditioned bus
  • Certified tour guide
  • Pick-up from hotels of the HERAKLION region (at the specific bus stops outside of your hotel)
What's Not Included
  • Ticket entrance to Samaria National Park (5 euro)
  • Ticket for the boat from Agia Roumeli (13 euro)
  • Lunch, breakfast, water, any other individual expenses.
Additional Information

A unique walk through the Samaria Gorge, the largest in Europe, with a length of about 18 kilometers, will allow you not only to admire the breathtaking views and the wildlife, but also to test yourself.

Samaria Gorge is located in the heart of the majestic “White Mountains”, south of Omalos plateau. Tourist route begins at an altitude of 1250 meters above sea level along the trail with wooden fences, laid down the mountainside. The narrowest and probably the most picturesque place called “Portes” - gates, where cliffs rise to a height of 500 meters, while the width of the river gorge at only 3-4 meters. 47 bridges cross the river Tarraios passing through the White Mountains and the valley. You will meet with the inhabitants of the reserve - wild goats Kri-Kri or see rare species of orchids.

After 4-6 hours of walking, you will get out to the beautiful Agia Roumeli beach, where you can swim in its crystal waters and have lunch. The boat will take you back to the bus.

  • If an infant does not sit on lap in the bus, It is necessary to pay a child ticket.
  • After booking we will contact you to arrange the pick-up. Please, note, if you do not provide your pick-up details up to 24 hours before the tour, we do not guarantee the pick-up. For pick-up from different location, please, contact us.
  • NOTE: It is a 18 kilometers walk along very rocky path, sometimes steep.
  • Visiting the gorge is usually recommended for children over 7 years old, who like to walk a lot. Infants only in a special carriers.
  • The tour starts at 06.00am and you will be back at your hotel around 10.00pm, depending on the pick up location.
  • Pick-up from the specific bus stops next to the hotels. From Area 1: all the villages between Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi
  • Area 2: Georgioupoli/Rethymno/Panormo/Bali/Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa/Gazi
  • Monday: English, German, French
  • Tuesday: English, German, French, Polish, Italian, Dutch
  • Thursday: English, German, French, Polish, Italian, Dutch
  • Saturday: English, German, French, Polish, Italian, Dutch
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(18 Ratings)
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Laurentc674
Jul 21, 2024
Beautiful hike - Arrival at 08:00 in the morning in Samaria from chania 01:20 drive by rental car. Parking right next to the restaurant Xyloskalos Parking 5 euros Boat from agia roumeli to sougia 15 euros/person. Sugia bus back to Xyloskalos 7 euros/person Entrance to Samaria Park 5 euros / person Hiking Sunday in July 2024 , there were people but made the quiet hike. 13km hike + 2km to reach agia roumeli. Duration hike in 06h30 in total with lots of stop. Provide water and cap and hiking shoe. Several water points on the circuit. Plan enough to regain strength, energy bars or sandwiches. Beautiful landscape and beautiful photos Boat to go to sougia is at 17:30 from agia roumeli. Bus to xyloskalos about 01h journey
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dream28533983990
May 28, 2024
Not to be missed - A wonderful day that will remain in my memories. A must do. Total change of scenery ending in a pretty little village. And a little boat trip for back to school
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristi
May 26, 2024
Beautiful but hard on old knees - Really happy to have hiked the Samaria Gorge. Beautiful hike over scrabble, rocks, roots, and boulders alongside crystal blue water. Day was sunny and hot and because we travelled in from Heraklion, we didn’t get on the trail until 11 so we hiked during the hottest part of the day. There were lots of rest stops with toilets, fresh water and ruins along the way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colleenll6821uf
Oct 13, 2023
great hike ! - the hike was amazing, for the most part you are going downhill or walking on flat sections, but it is a very rocky hike with some slippery sections. hiking boots would have been preferred for the ankle support, but my friend and i (fit, late 20s), found it was very doable in tennis shoes. the views are stunning, ending with a quick dip in the ocean and then riding the ferry was a great change after being in the gorge all day. there was drinkable water along the way, so being a reusable water bottle. also recommend eating breakfast before or bringing it with you, and pack a lunch. there is some food/drinks available right at the exit of the gorge but more options in the little village along the water (where the ferry picks you up). if you’re up for a long walk, we highly recommend this trip !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z7822xfelisad
Sep 7, 2023
Perfect - The person at the agency was really great, very kind, we were made to feel very welcome. I highly recommend this agency!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adrian_s
Oct 4, 2022
The tour and experience... - The tour and experience was absolutely mesmerizing. Very happy we did this trip and would 10/10 recommend it to anyone wanting to see the beauties of Crete. Our guide was also amazing. She went above and beyond to make sure everything ran on track and was very knowledgeable about the island.
Review provided by Viator
Aleksandra_p
Sep 27, 2022
Very satisfied - Kind personel, everyone walks their own rythm, there is a stream water at every resting point in Samaria, you can swim before the ship leaves
Review provided by Viator
Stephen_b
Jun 23, 2023
Excellent but watch your timings - Fantastic experience. The timings for the trip were wrong so around 18hours including travel. A great experience nevertheless. Challenging- not a casual stroll!
Review provided by Viator
Laurahl7504to
May 11, 2024
Not to be repeated - The good bits - the driver got us there and back safely and the guide made helpful suggestions about safety . The bad…. Why did we arrive at the site at 11 am - 4.5 hours after we started ? It left us 6 hours to do a walk when the average time taken is 7.5 hours - being told if you don’t get to the boat in time you ll have to stay piled on unnecessary pressure. It ruined the enjoyment of the walk for a number of us - we all made it back in time . we didn’t have any time to eat or go for a swim things we have done on other gorge trips. There was a Ridiculous way of allocating seats, ie first on best choice and not able to sit near family etc was unfair - sell seat numbers rather than a free for all . We were told ‘you can’t eat on the coach - but at 10 at night the bus was full of tired hungry people eating. With such a late start time I m glad that we did it when the temperature was 24 -and not 30+
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janet_b
May 30, 2024
Too few participants this time of year - The tour operator (not Viator) canceled on us. I assume they did not have enough people sign up although they did not give us a reason.
Review provided by Viator
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