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Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Crete - 1 May 2023

By Mario & Melissa Saliba

May 15^th, 2023

“Leave the road, take the trails.”

It was an unplanned trip during our short stay in Crete between April and May 2023.

The Samaria Gorge is a popular tourist destination in the southwestern part of the Greek island of Crete. It’s considered one of Europe’s longest gorges and is renowned for its natural beauty and hiking opportunities.

We were fortunate to visit the Samaria Gorge with Mystical Crete Tours on the very first day of its opening on May 1, 2023. That morning we left our hotel in Chania early at 6.45 am to our meeting point in front of Alpha Bank. Our coach arrived sharply at around 7 am and left for Osmalos, where we stopped at a local tavern for breakfast. It started raining and was getting cooler as the weather forecast had predicted, getting everyone concerned, but the tour leader reassured us that it drizzled rather than rained in the area during this time of year.

In the meantime until the rain lessened, the tour leader briefed us about the walking trail, that is what to expect, and also where to meet at the end of the Samaria Gorge. The Samaria Gorge is approximately 16kms long and from Xiloskalo it leads you to Agia Roumeli, which is a small village in the South of the Gorge. Agia Roumeli has no car access, so we had to take the last ferry to Sougia scheduled at 17.00, where we would then find our coach waiting for us to take us back to Chania.

Finally, though still raining lightly, the group made it to the entrance in a parade of umbrellas, bonnets and waterproof raincoats, but no one turned back. We had made it so far, and we wanted to make it to the end, and see the Samaria Gorge of the pictures in person.

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

A PLUNGE INTO THE CRETAN WILDERNESS

The hike starts at the village of Xyloskalo in the Omalos Plateau with a 2 to 3 km descent down a rocky footpath facilitated through the placing of a wooden railing, and which allows you to appreciate the lush vegetation and the majestic view of the Cretan White Mountains. While trekking through the gorge, the meadows alternate with forests of pines, cypresses, oaks etc, and are also interrupted at intervals with streams or the occasional waterfall. Around mid-walk, there are the ruins of the deserted village of Samaria, which is now often used as a stop for hikers, and where we stopped for some light refreshments.

By then, despite the intermittent light showers and feeling warmed up, we got lost in the landscapes while simultaneously paying particular attention to loose rocks and several slippery boulders while walking.

We particularly enjoyed the latter part of the hike known as the ‘Gates of Samaria’, which has you walking alongside the river Tarraios and across stones and bridges while flanked on both sides with towering cliffs and breath-taking rock formations of almost 300 meters in height, to then end up at the shores of the Mediterranean.

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

NOT A WALK FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED

The hike is considered moderately difficult, and the average time to complete the hike is between 4 to 7 hours, depending on your pace and the amount of time you spend exploring or resting along the way.

Good physical fitness and sturdy footwear are recommended.

It’s advisable to wear comfortable clothing, bring sun protection, sufficient water, snacks, and a camera to capture the beautiful scenery along the way.

Remember to check the weather forecast and any safety advisories before starting your hike.

Note: Luckily, we had the umbrellas, and hats, and good shoes. Otherwise, had not planned for bad weather, even though used to the erratic weather during the spring season, as come from another island in the Mediterranean ourselves; but still enjoyed the trip to the fullest.

As mentioned above, there are rest areas and drinking water points along the trail where you can take breaks and refill your water bottle. Additionally, there are toilets and a small cafeteria at the entrance of the gorge in Xyloskalo. In Agia Roumeli, you'll find taverns, cafes, and accommodation options for relaxation after completing the hike.

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Further information, regarding Samaria gorge, entrance fees and the tour of the gorge offered by Mystical Crete tours can be found in the links below:

Samaria Gorge Website

Mystical Crete Tours Website

On a final note, though exerted physically and suffering from leg pains the following day, as the six-hour-long walk-through wild terrain can be taxing even to the fittest amongst us; yet time spent in nature is never time wasted, and the hike of the Samaria Gorge offered an appropriate hiking adventure and a break from life as we know it.

Exploring the Samaria Gorge

Footnotes

Special thanks to my wife Melissa for editing the content of this blog

FootNotes

Special thanks to my wife Melissa for editing the content of this blog

© 2026 Mario & Melissa Saliba

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