samaria gorge hike

There are a lot of drinking water spots to refill, I certainly didn’t need to bring 3L of water like I did. Gygilos with its lunar landscape. Magnifiques paysages, pas une multitude de touristes (visiblement les gens préfèrent la plage) et tant mieux! The beach is free and renting a chair is 7 euro. My three children were 6,9 and 11 and they all loved the walk. But lots of stations along the route and possible to drink from the streams. Still absolutely worth it though. The Samaria Gorge hike is a favorite among walkers and a must-do for adventurers in Crete. Leave all the rest to us! Everything we wanted and more. More than a quarter-million tourists choose hiking the Samaria gorge every year from May to October. The various terrain that you go through and the scenery is magical. It is a fairly strenuous hike but so worth it. Stunning views. While tens of thousands of people trek down the Samaria Gorge each season, it is not danger-free and fatalities have occurred in the past. Park authorities might even close the park if it is too hot outside. The gorge of Samaria is the gem of the White Mountains! Your Trip to Copenhagen: The Complete Guide, Your Guide to Crete Including Maps, Weather, and Things to See, Here's Everything You Need to Get Ready for Trekking in Nepal, Ten San Francisco Beaches You Won't Want To Miss, Learn the Real Meaning of the Greeting "Yasou" in Greek, Everything You Need to Know About Visiting a Nude Beach in Greece, A Guide for First-Time Hikers in New Zealand, Tips for Hiking the Samaria Gorge in Greece. Le sentier longe une rivière et sa difficulté est évaluée comme difficile. Length 9.9 miElevation gain 9215 ftRoute type Point to point If possible, wear well-broken-in shoes and test them first by going down a steep hill and see where any unexpected pinch spots seem to be. Nous l’avons faite tranquillement avec des pauses de 10h00 à 15:30. From there, you can walk up to the gorge and reach the Iron Gates in about thirty minutes. Hiking boots optional. The Samaria Gorge hike was the highlight of our week on Crete! The hike was a straight descent. Multiple water stations along the way so you really don't need to bring all your water with you. Did the Samaria Gorge hike with Io Tours, and it was definitely the highlight of my 3+ week trip throughout Greece. At 16 kilometers, Samaria Gorge is one of the longest gorges in Europe (some sources say the longest, others the second longest), is located in Crete’s only national … Easy enough walk but you are occasionally sharing the trail with donkeys. A few things to keep in mind I didn’t know going in: Enjoyed a nice lunch and relaxed on the beach for a bit; as an FYI, the west part of the beach appeared to be quite nude! There are few tricky sections and one short uphill section, but for the most part it is very manageable, especially when you're prepared for a long hike. An absolute must-do if you are a hiker and want to experience Crete in it's mountainous glory. Stayed In sougia, took a €50 taxi to the entrance, for a 730am start. The E4 European Path: Palaiochora to Lissos, The E4 European Path: Lissos to Poikilassos, The E4 European Path: Poikilassos to Domata, The E4 European Path: Domata to Agios Pavlos, The E4 European Path: Agios Pavlos to Chora Sfakion, The E4 European Trail: Chora Sfakion to Frangokastello, The E4 European Path: Chora Sfakion to Petres, The E4 European Path: Petres to Argyroupoli. Even on a weekday in the end of September, it’s tough to get away from the crowds. Total walking time 5 hours. I did this hike in my train running shoes, and felt totally fine as a decently active regular hiker. It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours to complete the … The Samaria gorge hike is 16 km (about 10 miles) long and in the summer you will be feeling the power of the sun’s rays with very little in the way of shade. Hiking boots are not necessary for most people walking the Samaria Gorge. There is an early morning bus from Chania bus station to Xsiloskalo, the enterance of the Samaria Gorge. In the gorge, there is a variety of several rare endemic species as well as many species of flowers and birds. With all the busses dropping off the tour groups it begins very busy but after the first few miles each team sets their own pace and the slack opens up. Beach is dark pebbles so bring the water shoes or flip flops (or get a pair at the local shops). The Samaria Gorge is a favorite trail for hikers on Greece's Island of Crete, which can be completed in 6-8 hours. Walk through a deep ravine that’s bathed in sun yet shaded by trees. It is a fairly strenuous hike but so worth it. That said, scenery is spectacular and I don’t regret walking down. Gorgeous the entire way!!! Hidden in the south part of the Chania district, it is the biggest gorge in Europe, covering an area of 18 kilometres in length. Samaria Gorge hike difficulty: It is a medium-difficult hike. The steepest, most accident-prone section of the Samaria Gorge is right at the beginning, at the so-called "Xyloscalo" or "wooden staircase", which is actually a series of shallow terraced steps. It has been a National Park of Greece since 1962. The gorge is protected by Samaria National Park, which was set aside by the Greek government in 1962. We were on one of the first busses to arrive. The 300,000 visitors that visit annually the 18 km long gorge are usually not aware of its historical and mythical significance. Beautiful views, the old settlements were a wonderful diversion from the trail. Much of the lower trail is on rounded river rock, and good hiking shoes seem to handle these better than boots. Would rate as moderate as the trail itself is very easy, just long. Wonderful hike- absolutely gorgeous. Because of popularity it is a very busy trail (at least when I hiked mid-August). Personally, I find this detracts significantly from the hiking experience but the beauty of the hike and the beach make it worth it anyways. Listen to your body. Thousands of tourists flock here daily in the summer season to walk from the top to the bottom. Impassable in winter, it opened for the 2018 season at the start of May. Get up early!! It was a gift to my self. The terrain is rocky which may make it challenging for those not used to those conditions. Hopefully this review is helpful. Since it's a long hike, you will want to have some food with you to keep your energy up. The Samaria Gorge on Crete is one of the most beautiful places in Greece, weaving legends and guarding secrets throughout the centuries. Journée longue mais à ne pas rater si vous aimez marcher. The Samaria Gorge National Park is a truly natural wonder and offers the ultimate hiking experience, beginning deep in the mountains and ending up practically on the shores of the Libyan Sea. Those mountain roads are killer! The gorge is in southwest Crete in the regional unit of Chania. The first section of the walk is by far the most difficult one because it descends steeply. The 18 km hike through the Samaria Gorge begins at Xyloskalo on the Omalos plateau 1200 m. high. Easy downhill trek. - there is significant water gathering opportunities along the way. Samaria Gorge, Europe’s deepest and longest gorge, is a great gash in the White Mountains of Crete. The ancient Greek site of Tára, is on the left (east) hill as you exit the gorge. You can bring your own snacks or buy a sandwich from the lunchroom at the top of the Samaria Gorge. Make sure to pack your bathing suit and take a dip on the Mediterranean Sea! The mountainous scenery and the cliffside vistas are truly spectacular! That said, scenery is spectacular and I don’t regret walking down. Very nice trail. Cafe at the end of the hike before the beach. Hike the UNESCO protected gorge of Crete with an expert mountain guide. I would recommend proper hiking boots though the majority of walkers wore running shoes. Take plenty of snacks and enjoy the walk x. Amazing trail. The walking tour from one end of Samaria gorge to the other is a challenging 18 kilometers. Stay tuned and… stay safe! If you find yourself on the region of Sfakia, or on the south coast of the prefecture of Chania, don't miss the chance to get the ferry to Agia Roumeli and from there to walk the opposite direction within the Samaria gorge, up to the famous Gates 1 , which is the narrowest point in the gorge.This is known as the Lazy way to Samaria gorge or the easy way to Samaria gorge. Absolutely stunning. © 2020 AllTrails, Inc. Tous droits réservés. - be careful driving on the mountain roads on Crete. Well kept and fun to run ! If I came back I would hike one of the other less crowded gorges. Beautiful trail, not too busy on October 22nd. From Chania, Crete you can take a bus ride that will get you to the trail head in the morning. I hiked this alone for my 40th birthday. It’s mostly downhill and this is gonna test your knees. Most beautiful is the “Iron Gate,” the narrow section near the bottom. Water packs for all is essential plus sturdy footwear. If you head out of the state park and walk (or catch a van ride down) 3km to the port, there is the most gorgeous water I’ve ever seen. Some people also put petroleum jelly between their toes or wear double socks, which can also help. Many points during the day we were in standstill from a constant traffic jam. The rim of the gorge, where you begin your hike, is 4,000 feet above the village of Ayia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, where you end your hike. This trail is not difficult, but it is very long. If you have a choice, a well-ventilated hiking shoe may be useful to you, especially if it's hot. Dramatic gorge walls after the old Samaria village halfway down. Book a full-day Samaria gorge hiking tour or the 'Samaria lazy way'; either way, this private hiking tour in Chania will be one of the best things to do on your holidays in Crete. Bottoms of your feet may hurt tomorrow if you do! Really cool terrain hiking down a famous gorge in Crete. The walking tour from one end of Samaria gorge to the other is a challenging 18 kilometers. Didn’t have another way to get to the trailhead and shot myself in the foot with this one. Would recommend hiking boots due to walking on rocks for a large part of the way. Walk carefully and don't lean too much on the guard rail. • The hike ends at Ayia Rouméli, where you can catch the ferry to Hóra Sfakion. I knocked a star off for the shear number of people. Expect to be stepping on/between rocks the whole time. If you are not up for the hike, but still want to see the famous Iron Gate, where the pathway enters an opening only about nine feet wide, many tour companies offer the option of bussing to Skafia and taking the ferry to Agia Roumeli. There are some washrooms along the way, and For many visitors, it is the sole purpose of their visit to Crete. Available EVERY DAY ! 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. Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe. Les Gorges de Samaria est un sentier de point à point de 15.9 kilomètres modérément fréquenté situé près de Palaiá Agía Rouméli, Crète en Grèce. Being the largest gorge in Europe and arguably the most spectacular, the Samaria Gorge offers a spectacular 18km walk with a starting point on the plain of Omalos at 1,000 m above sea level. A nice day hike, and if you can, overnight in Agia Roumeli after the hike. Un ferry à la fin vous emmène à Sougia pour reprendre un bus où vous avez garé votre voiture au départ de la rando. To the south is a majestic view of Mt. Catch the earliest bus from Hania to Xyloskalo to beat the heat and midday crowds. Don't take the ferry back to Sougia or … There’s an undeniable raw beauty to the canyon, with its soaring cliffs and needlenose passageways. Entrance fee is €5. Une fois la trail complétée, nous avons mangé chez Rousios (Taverne), excellent et ensuite loué un parasol et 2 chaises (7 euros) pour une sieste en attendant le traversier de.17:30. pas besoin de guide:). Watch out for goats! Welcome to Samaria Gorge Hiking the 16km-long Samaria Gorge, one of Europe's longest canyons, is high on the list of must-dos for many visitors to Crete. Hiking in Samaria Gorge The hike commences at Xyloskalo the famous location of the Omalos plateau (1.250 m above sea level) where there are several local taverns, hotels and a museum dedicated to the Samaria Gorge. Someone in my group had standard running shoes (Nike) and her feet were painful by the end. - I had a pretty bad tour bus experience with KTEL. It’s an experience you will carry with you forever. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/HappyTravellerYT This is our video from our hiking in Samaria Gorge. If you do choose to take a tour bus, try to book your stay in Crete in Chania or somewhere closer to the trailhead so you won’t spend as much time traveling. Walked it a hot summer day, so got pretty hard. Bonus to this hike is that it ends at a beach so you can jump in the water to cool down. The view once you’ve climbed done into the Gorge is incredible. Their corpse-like scent attracts flies who fertilize the flowers like bees. Took us 5.5 hours including breaks. • Ayia Rouméli Ayia Rouméli is a small coastal village that you reach after walking through the Samaria Gorge. In ancient times, the Gorge was home to a famous oracle site which attracted pilgrims from as far away as Libya and the giant gray mountain at the beginning of the Gorge, Giglio, or Sapimenos, was thought to be the throne of Zeus on Crete and also the location he used to conduct horse races. Beaucoup de cailloux, privilégiez les chaussures montantes. Be on lookout! While ridiculously congested in the height of summer, the 10-mile hike through the Gorge of Samaria can be a Cretan highlight. We did this walk in August. the entrance of the Samaria Gorge Basic information about the Samaria Gorge Crete: The gorge is situated in the Samaria National park, within the White Mountains in West Crete. Beautiful hike in Crete. With your expert guide, you will escape the crow I left early so that it wouldn't be too crowded (in August). Amazing and breath taking. It’s a gong show the crowd trying to get on the 5.30 ferry! Our guide Linda was so enthusiastic and informative we learned a lot about the region and its history. Samaria National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the White Mountains of Crete, draws tens of thousands of visitors per year to hike the spectacular gorge at its center. The gorge is closed to the visitors from the end of October to May. It is home to over 450 species of plants and animal, many of them can only … Finished by 1pm. Most people are total amateur “hikers” who seem mildly offended when you want to pass them, even if you ask nicely (keep in mind most people wont speak English as their first language so asking nicely is not straightforward). Be aware of the donkeys on the trail and make way for them as they pass by pressing yourself against the wall. SAMARIA GORGE. - the terrain is very rocky almost the whole way through. Certainly a bucket-list-worthy hike. Did the Samaria Gorge hike with Io Tours, and it was definitely the highlight of my 3+ week trip throughout Greece. Add to this time to rest, to stop and look at the scenery, take photographs and you can count about 6 or 7 hours to cover the entire distance. There are some washrooms along the way, and natural springs where you can fill your water bottle. Would recommend avoiding them if possible. Def recommend, but it is a long one! As described, this is all downhill so if you’ve got knee issues, this will hurt. There are a number of stopping points along the route, where you’ll find toilets and drinking water. If I came back I would hike one of the other less crowded gorges. Especially getting to the seaside and diving into crystal clear water. It’s the longest gorge in Europe and is located in west Crete, in the White Mountains. The Samaria Gorge is a favorite trail for hikers on Greece's Island of Crete, which can be completed in 6-8 hours. At the top of the gorge, temperatures will be more mild because of the altitude, but at the bottom, especially on a hot day, the heat can be unbearable. Samaria Gorge is in the regional unit of Chania, it is 16 km long and since 1962, it is a National Park of Greece and the only one in Crete. Samaria Gorge is one of many beautiful gorges in Crete and one of the places you should visit on your Crete holidays. The Samaria Gorge is the most famous gorge for hiking on the island of Crete. Europe’s largest gorge. The hike is all downhill, so if you need to turn back for any reason, your best bet is to keep going until you reach the ranger or medical station at the otherwise-abandoned village of Samaria and ask to be taken out by donkey. This is not a hard hike, it's downhill then flat. This hike was stunningly beautiful and the beach at the end while waiting for the ferry absolutely amazing as well. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. If you have concerns about the weather, call on the day of your Samaria Gorge hike, especially if you're doing it yourself and not as part of a bussed group. Not too difficult descent. Because of popularity it is a very busy trail (at least when I hiked mid-August). Therefore, some days ago, I decided to hike on my own. Something with a piece of plastic in the sole will help. It is quite long (4 to 6 hours hiking), so you should be prepared for a quite rough route. It has about a 3,000 foot drop and 10+ mile length. Excellent hike and beautiful! It was very cold and wet early in the morning when the bus arrived at the park entrance, though the weather quickly warmed up and it ended up being a lovely day! On a débuté a 7:35am, peu de monde. “The Samaria Gorge is in southwest Crete in the regional unit of Chania. 2k walk to the beach from there. Very rocky and the first kilometer or so is fairly steep so it’s hard on your knees. At one of the rest stops I was attacked by a baby Kri-Kri. - if you start the trail after 8:30a (ie you take a bus up to the trailhead) you’ll be trekking among hundreds of people almost the whole way through. Le sentier offre plusieurs activités et est accessible toute l'année. The 16km walk through the gorge of Samaria can be broken down into four sections of roughly similar length (if you want to be very accurate Part 1 is 3.8 km / 580 of descent, Part 2 is 3.7 km / 310m of descent, Part 3 is 3.6 km /170m of descent and Part 4 is 4.8 km / 170m of descent to sea level). Great hike with great views and such a unique landscape. Sheer cliffs and mighty peaks surround the fertile highland plain of Omalos where ancient olive trees still grow. Samaria Gorge is a paradise for biodiversity — home to 450 species of Cretan flora out of which 70 are endemic meaning that they grown only in a gorge. There are a number of stopping points along the route, where you’ll find toilets and drinking water. In this complete guide to hike the Samaria Gorge in Crete, you will find all the information needed to walk Samaria as easily as possible. If you have an opportunity to do this hike, I highly recommend it. From here a frequent boat service will take you directly to Loutró and Hóra Sfakion. The trail follows a clear creek that you can drink from and passes many Byzantine ruins. As the mountain portion ends, the remainder of the decent is following the path of a dried river bed - so lots of rocks and boulders as the terrain! We took a bus to the top and caught a ferry and bus to get back to Chania. The gorge has a length of 16 km, starting at an altitude of 1,250 m., in Xyloskalo and ending on the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli. While it's not the only gorge in the area, Samaria Gorge is by far the biggest—in fact, it's Europe's second-largest canyon overall. Starting early is key, avoids the mad rush of people and there’s more shade in the canyon than if you went through it mid day. Your home base for this loop trip is Hania, a city on Crete's north coast serviced frequently by the overnight boat from Athens. The trail end on the southern part of the island and you take a ferry and a bus to get back to Chania in the evening. Portes – the narrowest part 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. It’s not too difficult - it’s entirely downhill (don’t trust the AllTrails altitude guide, it’s way off). Bonus to this hike is that it ends at a beach so you can jump in the water to cool down. The various terrain that you go through and the scenery is magical. Je ne suis pas une grande fan des descentes mais la pente est plutôt douce après les 2 premiers km. Very steep and hard on the knees in the beginning, but the 2nd half is much flatter. It may close for bad weather, hot weather, or the occasional strike by workers. When you finish the walk at Agia Roumeli you then have to get the ferry to Hora Sfakia where you pick up a bus back to Chania. It was created by a small river running through mountains, and today it is by no means small anymore. The water here is fresh and safe to drink. Samariá Gorge Trail is a 9.9 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Palaiá Agía Rouméli, Crete, Greece that features a river and is rated as difficult. The terrain in the gorge is rough, rocky, and uneven and the hike is not suitable for anyone who has heart problems or is unfit, or for pregnant women.

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