Notes:

Hiking time (approx): (D1) 6-7 hrs + stops | (D2) 5 hrs + stops

Altitude range (metres): (D1) 1250 – 0 | (D2) 0 – 110 – 150 – 0

Transfer time: (D1) 1h00 Chania (hotel)-Omalos| (D2) 1h30 Sfakia/-Chania (hotel)

Please note: this hike is suitable for hikers who have reasonable experience and are used to walking on uneven terrain for the above length of time.

Walking on: path (earth and stones), dirt track, paved stone path, rugged rocks, dry riverbed

Hikers carry: day backpack with day necessities (water, picnic lunch, personal belongings, etc)

Luggage: transferred from Omalos  – Agia Roumeli (D1) + transferred to Chora Sfakion (D2) from where we return with them to Chania.

Suitable for: anyone in good health who enjoys hiking, children over 12 yrs.

Don´t forget your: hiking boots (closed/sports shoes), sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water, snack/fruit, camera, hiking poles (advisable), swimwear/beachwear/beach shoes, warmer clothes for the evening in the mountains.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: the Samaria Gorge lies within a National Park. During the winter it is closed due to the high levels of water flowing through the gorge and due to falling rocks. At the end of April, the water level in the gorge and the state of the path is assessed by the local Forestry Authorities. Every year, it undergoes the necessary maintenance before it is opened to the public for the summer season. The exact date of the opening varies every year as it depends on weather conditions (amounts of rain/snow) during the winter. The Authorities also have the right to close the gorge any day a severe weather warning is issued, even during the summer. This is why on some days, especially at the start and at the end of the season (late April/early May and late October) the Samaria Gorge may be closed. During these periods, availability of this trip can only be guaranteed 1-2 days in advance.
Contact us for further hiking options when the Samaria Gorge is closed (during summer or winter months).

PLEASE NOTE that the full hike down Samaria gorge is a LONG hike. It takes approx. 6-7 hrs (it is 13km in the Park + 3 to the sea = 16km in total) to hike down depending on our pace (+stops) and it’s ALL DOWNHILL (starting at 1250m alt and ending at 0) so it’s quite strenuous on the knees. The path, is very well trodden but it is ALL rocky and stones can be slippery. Hiking boots are highly recommended, if you don’t have any, at least hiking shoes with a good grip underneath. I personally hike with hiking poles everywhere and I can highly recommend them for Samaria. I can provide you with hiking poles on the day if you like, this way you do not have to bring them (if you have your own). As is logical, the hike down Samaria gorge is not suitable for anyone with knee/leg/hip/mobility issues or any severe medical/health issues as there is no “exit-route” mid-way down the gorge and the whole are is very remote.