Hiking Samaria Gorge is a must-do if you are visiting the Greek island of Crete in the late spring or summer months. It’s not too hard to see why it gets 5 stars…

Introduction to Samaria Gorge

Samaria Gorge is a stunning corridor in Crete’s Lefka Ori (White Mountains) where being out in nature takes on a spectacular new meaning.

I’m talking dramatic rock walls, crystal clear waters, pretty flora unexpectedly emerging from the riverbed and a Cretan creature called “Kri-Kri” that loves to roam wild in these parts. 

Where is the Samaria Gorge in Crete?

Samaria Gorge is located in the southwest of Crete. The gorge trail starts in Xyloskalo, near the village of Omalos, and ends in the coastal village of Agia Roumeli by the Libyan sea.

Before going on the hike, there are a handful of key logistics to consider – especially where transport to this location is concerned.

I’ve whipped up a comprehensive guide addressing all of the questions I remember having prior to going on my Samaria Gorge hike.

I’ll first share my top tips to help make the day as enjoyable as possible for you. Hopefully this can be a handy resource as you plan your Crete itinerary.

Tips to enjoy a day trip to Samaria Gorge

Tip #1: Choose your hiking day wisely. Think twice about hiking here in the peak summer months of June, July and August. I’m saying this from experience – I suffered from severe heat exhaustion days prior on the nearby Paleochora to Sougia trail. If you’ve ever been to Greece in the summer then you get it. That heat is no joke. And if you haven’t, well you’ve been warned!

Tip #2: Plan the ferry trip. Putting a bit of thought into your ferry planning is well worth it. Make sure to check ferry schedules prior – especially if you do not plan to stay in Agia Roumeli after you’ve completed the hike. 

Also, be sure to book a slow ferry if you are prone to seasickness. It’ll be a slower but thankfully much less dramatic ride!

Tip #3: Wear hiking shoes. I’ll say this one twice: make sure you are wearing proper walking shoes! Having a good grip underfoot is essential as you will encounter loose rocks and scramble over smooth stones during several stages of this walk.

Tip#4: Wear a hat. Having protection from the sun is key – especially as you get closer to southern end of the gorge where there is no shade.

Tip #5: Bring energy-boosting snacks. Continuing on my theme of how to beat the heat, be sure to walk with protein-rich snacks plus water or electrolyte drinks. Food is not sold within the gorge.

Tip #6: Spend a night in Agia Roumeli. If you overnight in Agia Roumeli you won’t be strapped for time and can hike though the gorge at your desired pace without the persistent worry of making it back in time for the last ferry. Who wants to be panicking about “Will I make it back on time?” while on such a epic trail?

And to state the obvious –  it’s really nice to relax on the beach before or (especially) after your hike and not to have to monitor time.

Now, let’s move on to all of the questions that are undoubtly on your mind if you are currently planning to include the Samaria Gorge hike on your Crete trip itinerary.

When is the best time to go hiking in Samaria Gorge?

The best time to hike through Samaria Gorge is during the months of May or in September / October due to the cooler weather conditions. On days with extreme heat or rain, the park will be closed.

The gorge is open from the beginning of May until the end of October from 7am. Last entrance is at 1pm.

How long does it take to walk the Samaria Gorge?

The full 16km hike can take anywhere between 5 to 7 hours to complete depending on your trekking pace.

How hard is the Samaria Gorge hike ?

The hike itself through Samaria Gorge is not difficult however it is demanding due to the length of the gorge. (It’s the second longest gorge in Europe.) It’s important to have a decent level of fitness.

Also key to know is that this terrain can be treacherous for your ankles as there are loose stones all over. Be careful and watch your step!

What is the best part of the gorge?

The “Iron Gate” (or “Portes”) in Samaria Gorge is definitely the star of the show. It’s both very cool to look at and to trek through.

The Iron Gate is the narrowest passage in the entire gorge at only 3 meters wide.

Just look at those imposing high walls. This is clearly a modesty-free zone.

Also on the topic of intriguing sights…I can’t forget to mention a mysterious cave house.

Be on the lookout for the cave house built in the mountain face, appearing just before the ticket booth in Agia Roumeli.  

Can you hike Samaria Gorge without a guide?

Yes. I skipped the organized guide tour option and did this hike as a couple.

My recommendation would be to go hiking in Samaria Gorge accompanied by someone else or in a group. If you are a solo hiker, time your entrance with other hikers. (Not a difficult task as the hike is so popular)

Yeh, we all want the magical experience of having the place all to ourselves but, there’s a flipside here. Between the risks posed by the heat and loose rocks across the gorge, your safest bet would be to make sure people are around when you go.

What should you wear to Samaria Gorge?

Wear hiking shoes, bring a hat and make sure to apply sun cream all over your body. I read one hiker’s trip report from over 20 years ago that said:  “We saw one girl who had missed the backs of her legs and you could have fried eggs on them”. Yikes! (what a visual, huh)

How do you get to Samaria Gorge?

The main entry point to Samaria Gorge is at the Xyloskalo entrance near the village of Omalos. You can also access the gorge from the southern entrance, by the coastal village of Agia Roumeli.

The best way to arrive at the gorge and leave is via the combined bus (public or private) and ferry journey.

There is parking at the Xyloskalo trailhead if you have a car, and you can get back there via a well-timed ferry and bus return. (but after a long day of hiking this seems like a hassle to me.)

Getting to Samaria Gorge from Chania by bus: To get to the trailhead in Xyloskalo, take the public bus (Chania to Palaiochora route) from the central KTEL bus station in Chania. After passing the village of Omalos, the bus will drop you right by the starting point. The journey will be around an hour.

Be sure to check the KTEL website for the latest bus schedules.

Getting to Agia Roumeli for Samaria Gorge: Take the KTEL bus from Chania or Palaiochora to either Sougia or Sfakia . Once you arrive at the coastal town, get the ferry to Agia Roumeli where you can walk to the gorge’s southern end.

If you’re wondering why I included the second option, it’s because that’s the alternate route I took. While most start from the trailhead in Xyloskalo, I opted to start from Agia Roumeli and was glad I did. I’ll explain why in a minute…

How much does it cost to enter Samaria Gorge National Park?

The entrance fee for Samaria Gorge National Park is 5 Euros for adults and children up to the age of 16 are free. Tickets can be booked in advance online.

Final thoughts: Is it worth hiking the Samaria Gorge?

Hiking Samaria Gorge is definitely the best thing to do in Crete for active travellers. It was certainly the highlight of my trip.

I’m especially happy that I did the alternate trek that started and ended in Agia Roumeli. I chose to do a partial hike instead of the point-to-point trek knowing that I wanted to enjoy the gorge at leisure vs. exert myself over 6 hours of point-to-point walking. Despite the shorter distance, I left feeling like I’d gotten the peak experience as the best sections are towards the southern end.

Whichever route sounds more appealing, this is a beautiful hike which you should 100% consider including on your Crete trip itinerary.