Getting there
- Flights to Souda (CHQ) 30 km from the start
Treks / Greece (Crete)
Samaria Gorge
Greece (Crete) · Nearest city: Chania (also Heraklion, Athens)
TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 16 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point1,230 m
A long downhill walk through one of Europe's longest gorges, from the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea.
Fitness
Moderate
Best seasonMay to October
High pointXyloskalo trailhead
Watch out: It's all downhill, which is hard on the knees, and the gorge closes in bad weather.
Why people choose it
It's one of Europe's longest gorges, walking from the White Mountains down to a beach on the Libyan Sea.
What makes it different
- Walls up to 300 m high
- Ends on a beach by the sea
- Boat back from Agia Roumeli
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is officially not allowed in Greece. Use refuges, village rooms and campsites.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (14.5 km) Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Omalos → Samaria Gorge → Agia Roumeli
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- No bookings are needed for most people. Choose a day with a good forecast.
- Best time to go: May to October.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Chania.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: May to October
March to May
Spring
The best time for most people: green hills, wildflowers and comfortable temperatures.
Bring
- Light layers
- Sun hat
- A light rain jacket for showers
June to August
Summer
Hot, often above 30°C, with little shade. Start at dawn and rest in the afternoon. Fire risk can close paths.
Bring
- 2–3 litres of water
- Sun hat and long sleeves
- Electrolytes
September to November
Autumn
Warm sea and settled weather in early autumn, with the first storms arriving later.
Bring
- Rain jacket from October
- Light layers
- Headlamp as days shorten
Be ready for
Long descents
Long downhills are harder on your knees than the climbs. Poles, well-laced boots and slow steps make a big difference.
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
Closures
The route can close after storms or in bad weather. Check the official status on the morning you go.
What you'll see
7 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Samaria Gorge
Photo credits: Agia Roumeli by No machine-readable author provided. Duja assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Φαράγγι Σαμαριάς by C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Agia Roumeli - Kréta - panoramio by Pavel Špindler, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Soutěska Samaria - Kréta - panoramio by Pavel Špindler, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; View near Samaria Gorge by Lapplaender, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons; View near Samaria Gorge by Lapplaender, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons; Samaria gorge exit by Dkoukoul, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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