Samaria Gorge National Park, Crete, Greece

5Oxfordgirl M 5:00 PM Oct 15, 2021

Excellent hiking tour from near Chania
Really excellent day out. Left the north of the island near Chania on a coach c 5:30am, started the hike as the gates opened at 7:30am. Lucky to be in the first group as apparently 1600 people did the journey that day (mid October). Beware - they will close the gorge in the event of suspected bad weather/heavy rain. The first part is hard going on the knees, but it gets easier. Being near the front we were lucky not to be too held up by people stopping much or taking photos and therefore were at the beach by midday having done it at a good pace. Note there is nowhere to buy food in the National park/during the hike but plenty of places at the end - lots of restaurants and a supermarket and a beautiful beach to have a recovery swim while waiting for the boat to take you back to Sougia (c1h, €10). There are taxis there to take you back to the start of the gorge if you drive yourself and left your car (€10). The excursion coaches will also meet you there. Beware your calves will hurt the next day!

5TEESHIRTSUNTAN 5:00 PM May 11, 2022

A proper challenge
Well, this certainly is a challenge, a 6 oclock bus to get to the gorge for approx 830, with a stop at a local taverna at 8 ish for toilet and coffee. Entrance to the gorge is 5euros but free to europeans over 64 and students so take your passport or driving lcence unlike me. Expect to take approx 6 hours to reach the end, approx 13 kilometeres. First bit is rocky downhill through an ancient forest and really tests the calves and thighs, i have big ankle supporting boots but many people simply had trainers but it is so easy to roll on ankle which at least one person did, Second bit is crossing the river , usaully by stepping stones which again, precarious and easy to fall in. Many stops available to toilet and fill water bottles, and an ancient village of Samaria for lunch but no facilities other than toilet. Last bit is down through huge rising cliffs and several wooden bridges until you emerge at the end, There is a a bus to the ferry for 2 euros but the walk is approx 2 kilometres so you decide. Several nice tavernas are here. Ferry back is approx 1 hour and then bus back to Chania is 2 hours, pretty tiring travelling at the end of the walk. If you take your car to the entrance, there is a taxi service at the end of the gorge to take you back, cost is 10 euros per person. Approx 15 hour day, you will ache for 2 days but well worth doing