Travel Guide Samaria

Located in one of the most savage places of Crete, in the heart of the White Mountains, the Samaria Gorge is certainly the most extraordinary natural site throughout the island. These are the deepest gorges in Europe (16 km), which wind in a magnificent setting, protected since 1962 by a national natural park (originally created for the preservation of kri-kri). The maximum width of the gorge is 150 m and the minimum passage of 2,50 m at Doors. During the summer season, attendance is particularly important (2 000 people per day). They are generally open until mid-April, a few times in early May, depending on time, and until October 15. The malins come the day before and sleep in sleeping bags near the entrance to start the first at 6 am and really enjoy the beauty of this exceptional site, solo (if not, at the height of the summer, up to 3 000 people per day are hiking… sometimes to the tail leu leu). Many agencies offer organized excursions, it takes approximately 20 to 25 € for a departure from Chania (but also from most places in Crete), without the ticket ticket to the gorges or the boat in Agia Roumeli… Therefore it is at the same price to take the public bus from Chania, Sougia or Paleohora, and to get down the gorge to reach the end of the season. the beach of Agia Roumeli before 16 h. At this hour the ferries leave either towards Hora Sfakion or to Paleohora. However, doing the journey with a guide can also be interesting, if you are not very sure or your physical condition leaves to be desired… Because the downhill is not so easy and requires a minimum of equipment. Finally, the main interest of the tour is that the agency handles your bags that you get at the end of the journey. Otherwise, as it is impossible to walk with a large backpack, you will have to leave it at your starting point (Hania, Paleohora or Sougia) and recover it in the evening (or another day) in Paleohora or Sougia, accessible by boat, and the next day for Hania. In short, if you lack time, the agency can simplify your logistics…