Samaria Gorge

Published: September 10, 2019
Municipal Unit of Sfakion, Sights

The gorge of Europe and also the most famous is located in the Prefecture of Chania and is the Gorge of Samaria. During the summer months, thousands of tourists cross it every day, while for many it is the only purpose of their visit to Crete. Its length is 18 km and its descent takes about 4-7 hours, from Omalos to Agia Roumeli.

Its creation is due to a small river that flows between the White Mountains and the Volakias Mountain. There are many other gorges in Samaria, perpendicular to the main gorge but they require special equipment to cross them.

It starts at an altitude of 1,250m. at the northern entrance, and ends at the shores of the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli. The course in the National Park of Samaria is 13 km, but you will have to walk another 3 km to Agia Roumeli from the exit of the Forest, making the total route 16 km.