How difficult is Samaria Gorge hike?

How difficult is Samaria Gorge hike?

Samaria Gorge hike difficulty: It is a medium-difficult hike. It’s mostly downhill and this is gonna test your knees. The most challenging part is right at the beginning of the walk, in the first 6km of the trail, with a couple of steep downhills followed by two demanding hikes.

Can you swim in Samaria Gorge?

At the exit of the gorge of Samaria, you will have walked 13km. You need to walk 3 more in order to get to Agia Roumeli village. Head straight to the beach and have a refreshing swim in the Libyan sea. Most people need somewhere between 4 to 8 hours to walk the gorge of Samaria.

How much does it cost to explore the Samaria Gorge?

Samaria Gorge entrance fee To enter the Gorge of Samaria there is an entrance fee that costs five (5) euros. Children under 15 years old have a free pass. The entrance fee is the same regardless you wish to enter the Gorge only for a few kilometres or for the entire route.

Where is the Samaria Gorge located?

island of Crete
The Samariá Gorge (Greek: Φαράγγι Σαμαριάς or just Φάραγγας) is a National Park of Greece since 1962 on the island of Crete – a major tourist attraction of the island – and a World’s Biosphere Reserve. The gorge is in southwest Crete in the regional unit of Chania.

Do I need hiking boots for Samaria Gorge?

Hiking boots are not necessary for most people walking the Samaria Gorge. Much of the lower trail is on rounded river rock, and good hiking shoes seem to handle these better than boots. Since it’s a long hike, you will want to have some food with you to keep your energy up.

Is Samaria Gorge safe?

The gorge will also be closed on rainy days (when there is a danger of rock falls). In winter, high water makes the gorge of Samaria dangerous and impassable.

Can you drive through Samaria Gorge?

You can drive your own car to the samaria gorge, park it at the entrance, hike, take ferry back to where the buses pick everyone up, then take a taxi back to your parked car.

Can you hike Samaria Gorge without a guide?

You need to be physically fit to hike the whole gorge, as the first few kilometers descend steeply and can take a toll on the knees. If you’re not in the best shape, or only want to hike a short distance, you can take the ferry to Agia Roumeli and hike two miles up the final portion of the trail on an easy gradient.

What do you wear to Samaria Gorge?

Wear a white T-shirt, a hat and don’t forget your sunblock. Especially after passing Samaria village, there are no trees along the trail to protect you from the sun. Wear soft sneakers with notched soles. They are essential so as not to slip on the steep path.

Where does the Samaria Gorge start?

The Samaria Gorge hike starts at the Xyloskalo trailhead at an altitude of 1,250 meters in the midst of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori). From the top, we saw sheer mountain slopes still covered with patches of snow. At our feet was a steep trail winding its way down the mountain into the depths of the gorge.

What is the famous gorge in Crete?

The Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is the longest trekking gorge in Europe and also the most famous of all. Thousands of tourists flock here daily in the summer season to walk from the top to the bottom. For many visitors, it is the sole purpose of their visit to Crete.

How long is Samaria Gorge hike?

8.9 mile
Samaria Gorge is a 8.9 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Lakki, Crete, Greece that features a river and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

What is the Samaria Gorge?

The Samaria Gorge is the focal point of the national park. The gorge stretches across a distance of 9.9 miles (16 km) while the entrance to the park adds another 1.24 miles (2 km). It is recognized as the longest gorge in Europe. The gorge is nestled between the Lefka Oril of the White Mountains and Mount Volakias.

Where is Samaria National Park located?

Samaria National Park is located on the southern side of Crete along the central part of the island. The Greek park encompasses the Samaria Gorge accounting for an area of approximately 28.9 square miles (75 sq km) creating the only national park on the island. The Samaria Gorge is the focal point of the national park.

How to get to walk the gorge in Crete?

Day tours to Walk the Gorge are offered from all capital cities of Crete, which makes a very full day, or take the local bus and you may catch the boat out of Agia Roumeli, stay in either Chora Sfakion, Sougia or Paleohora or take the bus back to the capital. We hope you will enjoy this true paradise in the heart of Crete.

Where are the gorges of Chania?

The entrance to the gorge is 70 km from the town of Chania to the south of the fertile Omalos Plateau. This gorge really is one of the paradise areas of Crete, and deserving of all the attention it gets. We love the rugged mountains and their gorges, as tough and independent as the Cretan character.