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Samaria Gorge Hike: Discover Unique Cretan Wildlife
4.2
11 Ratings
Rethymnon
Embark on an 18 km hike through Samaria Gorge, Crete. Discover unique flora, fauna, and stunning rock formations. End your journey in Ayia Roumeli.
Embark on an 18 km hike through Samaria Gorge, Crete. Discover unique flora, fauna, and stunning rock formations. End your journey in Ayia Roumeli.
Duration:
17 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Rethymnon - After a bus ride of approximately 3 hours, we pause for about 25 minutes so you can grab something to eat or drink and use the restrooms.
- Omalos - On our way to the Samaria Gorge, this is the last stop where you can purchase necessities for the hike.
- Samaria Gorge National Park - The largest gorge in Europe, spanning 18 km…
- Rethymnon - After a bus ride of approximately 3 hours, we pause for about 25 minutes so you can grab something to eat or drink and use the restrooms.
- Omalos - On our way to the Samaria Gorge, this is the last stop where you can purchase necessities for the hike.
- Samaria Gorge National Park - The largest gorge in Europe, spanning 18 km and taking around 4.5 hours to walk through. You’ll be accompanied by our experienced tour guide.
- Agia Roumeli - At the end of the gorge, you’ll have ample time to relax, take a refreshing swim, and enjoy lunch at one of the local taverns. A boat will then take you to Chora Sfakion.
- Sfakia - After a boat trip of about an hour, your coach will be waiting to start the journey back.
What's Included
- Gasoline
- Pick up / drop off Malia till Amoudara(Heraklion)
- Escort on coach, Samaria Gorge and boat
- Transport by air-conditioned coach
- Liability Insurance Coverage by ALLIANZ
- Tue-Thu-Sat:ENGLISH, GERMAN, FRENCH. Tue: POLISH. Thu-Sat:DUTCH
- Gasoline
- Pick up / drop off Malia till Amoudara(Heraklion)
- Escort on coach, Samaria Gorge and boat
- Transport by air-conditioned coach
- Liability Insurance Coverage by ALLIANZ
- Tue-Thu-Sat:ENGLISH, GERMAN, FRENCH. Tue: POLISH. Thu-Sat:DUTCH
What's Not Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Boat: 14€ per adult, 7 € euro per 5-12yr child to pay on the coach at your guide
- Drinks and food at the stops
- Entrance fees
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Boat: 14€ per adult, 7 € euro per 5-12yr child to pay on the coach at your guide
- Drinks and food at the stops
- Entrance fees
Additional Information
The trek, spanning 18 km, commences in Xyloskalo. Get ready to explore a rich diversity of flora and fauna, a significant portion of which is distinctive to this island, including the Kri-Kri, a feral goat native to Crete.
The constantly varying scenes, combined with the heavenly aroma of pine forest and Cretan Herbs, make this trek a splendid…
The trek, spanning 18 km, commences in Xyloskalo. Get ready to explore a rich diversity of flora and fauna, a significant portion of which is distinctive to this island, including the Kri-Kri, a feral goat native to Crete.
The constantly varying scenes, combined with the heavenly aroma of pine forest and Cretan Herbs, make this trek a splendid experience in spite of the occasional rocky sections, and well worth the effort.
The secluded, vacant village of Samaria serves as the perfect respite spot before you proceed to the ‘Iron Gates’ - a point where the canyon walls nearly meet. Marvel at the astounding rock structures and seize this unique opportunity to savor the fresh, chilly spring water.
The journey concludes in the quaint fishing hamlet of Ayia Roumeli that brims with taverns - an ideal spot for savoring a scrumptious meal and a well-deserved drink. Unwind on the beach and refresh yourself by taking a dip in the cerulean waters of the Libyan Sea.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Travel time is added on the time duration. Keep in mind that the way to Samara, and back, is a LONG drive!
- Not suitable for people with overweight
- Not for people with leg, knees, hip, back, heart problems or asthma.
Location
Rethymnon
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.2
(11 Ratings)
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Stockport_travels
Sep 28, 2025
Challenging hike through some beautiful landscapes - I really enjoyed this trip.
As we only booked it the day before we were due to go, there was a mix up with the collection from our hotel and the coach didn't turn up at the agreed time. We called the tour operator and they sent a taxi immediately to collect us and catch up with the coach further down the line. These things happen, but the operator responded very quickly and got us on our way which was appreciated.
Note this is a long day as it says in the description . The coach ride out to the start of the hike is about 3 hours including a 20 min stop off at a service station for a bite to eat and to use the facilities.
The guides on the coach provided lots of information about the hike and were friendly and professional.
The hike itself is a challenging one. Almost all down hill but over rocky terrain. You start off high in the mountains and it was a little cold but once we got going the sun came out and it was baking hot. The walk took us about 5 hours to complete, and was about 12 miles in total but the terrain made it tough. The views are stunning though.
Top tips - wear layers and comfortable footwear, take a water bottle (there are natural springs on the route), sun cream and cash for a well earnt beer at the end.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Magdalena_i
Jul 13, 2025
Unforgettable experience - Amazing and unforgettable experience, wonderful views. Be prepared for a hard work on your holiday, this is not for faith hearted but highly recommended
Review provided by Viator
Paul_h
Jul 30, 2023
Brill day and stunning place - Thank you so much for a truly stunning day the tour guide was fabulous so knowledgeable and help myself personally as I fainted in the heat she deserved so much credit I just wish I remembered her name as you can imagine I was very discombobulated thank you again
Review provided by Viator
Maatthewp11
Oct 13, 2022
Superb scenery - worth the blood sweat and tears! - Fabulous scenery in a beautiful gorge- it isn't an easy walk but well worth the effort. We are fit 50 somethings and nearing the end of the walk we were tiring...still have aching calves 2 days later! It's an unaccompanied walk- you basically go at your own pace until the end. Take lots of snacks etc
The guide Maritza gave lots of information on the coach about timings of where to be on the walk in order to finish and ferry timings...it was all a bit chaotic at the port as she had bought the ferry tickets but didn't distribute until 10 minutes before the ferry left! You can buy your tickets to the gorge on line which saves time joining the long queue. There are a couple of stops on the way which offer food at reasonable prices and clean toilets. The toilets in the gorge are 'ling drop' and not for the feint hearted!
We joined the tour at 04.30 in sissi and arrived back at our hotel at 23.10!! Bare this in mind....it's a very long day
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cecile_e
Sep 26, 2021
Splendide - It's a amazing experience.the beautiful place. The wall is a little hard but worth it . The guide is excellent.
Review provided by Viator
Hollywood_9
Jul 25, 2021
Wonderful experience - Absolutely fantastic service provided by this company facilitating my hike through the wonderful Samaria gorge. Our guide for this trip was Manos and I could not have been more happy with the service he provided me. All in all I cannot recommend this company highly enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrego5
Sep 13, 2023
Endurance test - but worth it! - Where to start!! It needs a warning! This is not a “walk” (don’t think it’s a gentle amble in a Gorge). It’s a trial, it’s hard and the whole day is an endurance. Having said that, it’s an achievement. We were picked up at 04:40, then proceeded 5 hours of pick ups and travel. Once you arrive at the Gorge it’s down hill for several km (which sounds ok, but the pressure on your calf and toes is tough), not a single step is without potential slip or accident, you can’t really look about as every step has to be considered due to rocks, uneven ground, gorge edge). Each stop for photos is as quick as possible, due to time pressures. If you don’t get to boat on time there’s no other way back. Saw 2 injuries dealt with by park rangers sited along the route. We walked steadily and without break for 5-5 1/2 hrs. (We had a hour and a half time grace before boat deadline - well done us!). Boat trip pleasant (good to see other hobblers and not feel like the only non pro hiker ). Back for 4-4 1/2 coach trip home. Stop at same pit stop for a €3 pitta. A tip to organizers - we had upset passengers over coach seating. If you want them to keep their seat for duration of trip - tell them!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariia
Sep 3, 2023
Stunning views - Stunning views. It definitely worth to go. In general I liked it, made amazing photos. It was a bit hot downside the george, so it's importnant not to forget to refill the bottle.
+Nice nature. There is a beach after walk, where you can swim, if you finish a bit earlier.
-Guide perfectly speaks at least 5 languages.
-I would prefer if a guide would be with us during the whole walk. Sometimes I felt lost and couldn't enjoy the beautifulness of George. Personally I went to tour, not on my own, because I travelled alone.
-We couldn't find the guide after the walk, although we had to take our boat tickets. She came just 10 min before the boat left.
-Guide said us we would be able to buy some food when we stopped, but it's only sandwiches. I would take some food with me for the walk. After the walk there are good taverns where you can buy good food.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
829arnaudd
Jul 7, 2023
Nice place to see but not from Heraklion - Very nice place. Lots of stones on the way and almost all is done downhill.There are. Approximately 5 hours walk in all. The problem is that we came from too far away and we had to spend more than 6 hours by bus back and forth. Otherwise the guide was more there to frame the exit than to guide anyone. I advise against for my people who are based east of Heraklion because too much road.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ymantas_b
May 4, 2023
Zero co-operation from... - Zero co-operation from tour provider. It has no intention to solve the problems which happened or is happening starting from the booking.
Review provided by Viator
