The National Park of Samaria, in the Western part of the Greek island of Crete, covers an area of 4,850 ha (12,000 acres) and it’s one of the best places to visit in Crete.
However, before embarking on this adventure, you need to take a few things into account. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know before hiking Samaria Gorge.
How To Get To Samaria Gorge: Rental Car Or Bus Tour?
The trail starting point is 42 km (26 miles) away from Chania, around an hour’s drive. Most people just go there on a full-day tour from Chania and then come back in the evening. You’ll find several local tour companies that sell tours inclusive of transportation and guide. But needless to say, prices are higher than if you get there independently. So if you’re planning to rent a car during your stay in Crete, I’d recommend you opt to take a self-guided tour.
If you decide to drive there on your own, you’ll have to get to the starting point, just a few miles away from a town called Omalos (exact location here), and pay a parking fee of €5. Make sure to keep reading because you’ll have to take a few things into account if you get there in your own vehicle.
Hiking Samaria Gorge
What To Know Before The Hike
Fisrt of all, you must know that it’s not a circular route and it’s extremely important to allow sufficient time. This means you’ll need to start in the early morning. As mentioned above, the trail starts just a few miles away from Omalos, and ends at Agia Roumeli beach, which is only accessible by boat. The trail spans 16 km (10 miles): 13 km (8 miles) inside the national park and another 3 km (around 2 miles) before you reach the beach. From this point, you’ll have to take a boat to Sougia harbor. A bus will be ready at the harbor to pick you up and take you back to the parking lot where you parked in the morning.
Right by the parking lot, there’s a bar where you can purchase snacks and use the toilets (note that these are not free, so unless it’s an emergency, I recommend waiting to use the free toilets inside the park). You can also buy your boat and bus tickets at the bar. It’s highly advisable to purchase them in advance rather than waiting until you’re about to board the boat.
Bear in mind that both the boat and bus service operate only once a day. So if you miss one, you’re in trouble. My recommendation is to get to the gorge no later than 8am, which means leaving Chania at 7am at the latest. Depending on your physical condition and how many breaks you take along the route, it will take you between 4-7 hours to get to the end point. We – two young people in their late 20’s walking at an average pace – spent 6 hours totally, stopping a few times along the way.
The boat to Sougia departs from Mashali Beach, 650 meters (0.4 miles) away from Agia Roumeli. It leaves at 5pm (approximate time, I recommend you double check before your hike, as schedules often undergo changes). Once you arrive in Sougia, a bus will be waiting to take you back to the parking lot, a ride that takes about an hour.
Samaria Gorge Hike: Difficulty
While you don’t need to be in perfect physical shape and the route is generally not too challenging, it’s important to note that the hike is quite tiring and mostly downhill, which can be tough on the knees. I don’t recommend it for children or the elderly.
First, you’ll need to pay the national park entrance fee of €5 per person. Make sure to keep your ticket, as you’ll need to show it when you exit the park. You can pick up a map of the route at the ticket booth. The map includes 10 intermediate stops, showing the distance and approximate time between each point.
In the initial part of the hike, you’ll descend several stairs on terrain similar to what’s shown in the photo. Trees block the views in this section. That’s a shame but, at least, you’ll be in the shade the entire time, which is a huge plus (trust me!).
As I mentioned earlier, there are 10 stops along the route. Each stop has picnic areas, restrooms, and fountains with drinking water where you can refill your bottle, which you will definitely appreciate. However, no food is sold inside the park. Remember to bring your own!
Throughout the hike, you’ll pass by some rivers and bridges. The highlight, though, comes at the end when you reach the «Iron Gates,» where the gorge narrows to just about 3 meters wide and nearly 300 meters high. It’s undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sights of the entire journey.
Lastly, when leaving the park, you’ll continue downhill for another 3 kilometers to reach Agia Roumeli Beach. You can also take a bus for €2 per person (tickets can be purchased on-site) for this final stretch. At the beach, you can enjoy a well-deserved swim and treat yourself to a refreshing beer at one of the local beach bars as a reward.
What To Bring
Here’s my list of essentials for the hike:
- Sportswear. You’ll definitely break a sweat.
- Comfortable footwear, preferably hiking boots. You’ll be walking on rocky terrain most of the time.
- Water bottle. Don’t worry about carrying 5 liters of water. You can refill your bottle at several points along the route.
- Food, as there are no places to buy inside the park.
- Sunscreen and a hat. Although the first part is shaded, the rest of the route is under direct sunlight.
And, of course, a camera to capture the spectacular landscapes. Only if you want to, of course!
How Much To Budget
While I’ve already covered the prices of some of the items throughout the post, here’s a summary (2021 pricing):
- Parking: €5€/vehicle
- Entry fee: €5/person
- Boat to Sougia: €11/person
- Bus from Sougia back to the parking lot: €4.80/person
- Bus from the park exit to the beach (optional): €2/person
Visiting Samaria Gorge: Is It Worth It?
I’m not exactly passionate about hiking (though I’ve been enjoying it more and more recently), and although it was challenging considering the heat and distance covered, I found the route very beautiful and would recommend it as long as you’re physically up for it. Besides, aside from visiting Crete’s spectacular beaches, it’s an alternative plan to enjoy on the island.
I hope this post has helped you organize your day in Samaria Gorge!
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