Samaria Gorge

Starting our bus tour early in the morning, we drive to the west, towards Chania. Outside Rethymno, at the village of Skaleta, we have our first stop for a quick bite or a coffee. Then, we continue on to Omalos Plateau, an impressive landscape, located on the top of Lefka Ori (White Mountain), a few meters away from the entrance of Samaria Gorge. Here we prepare ourselves, for the hike in the most popular gorge of Crete. Our descent into Samaria Gorge begins from Xyloskalo, and comes to an end, at the village of Agia Roumeli.

Samaria gorge, in southwestern Crete, at an altitude of 1250 meters, is the longest in Europe, some 18 km (11 miles), and varies from 2-40 meters wide, with a depth of 250-600 meters. The favorite hike of many walkers, through the magnificent gorge, usually takes 6-7 hours. Samaria is an area of stunning natural beauty, with ever-changing views and wonderful rare species of flora and fauna, such as the famous wild Cretan goats Kri Kri, that have survived through the centuries.

The stony path follows the route of the ancient river Taras, with its sparkling waters, and gets you through forests of ancient cypresses and pines. Midway you come to the ancient village of Osia (Santa) Maria, or Samaria, with the stone huts, and passing the churches of Afendis Christos and Agion Nikolaos, you move on through fantastic wild, high, steep vertical cliffs, you taste the fresh cold water from the numerous springs, and finally you get to the narrowest passage of Samaria Gorge, called Sideroportes (Iron doors), 300 m high but only a few meters wide.

Once through the Gates, you are out of the Samaria National Park, and after a 4 km walk you end up in the small fishing village of Agia Roumeli. Here you can enjoy a meal in one of the local taverns, or relish a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea. In the afternoon you board the boat to Chora Sfakion, where you get your coach for the trip back, through the scenic route of Imbros Gorge and the Plateau of Askifou.