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.
How do I get to Samaria Gorge?
You can access the Gorge through two entrances– one at the north (“
Xyloskalo”
) located near Omalos plateau, and one at the South – near the coastal village of “Agia Roumeli”. Xyloskalo is accessed by car but the south entrance is only accessed by boat. The main path inside the Gorge is 13 km.
What is the famous Gorge in Crete?
Samaria Gorge
is the most famous Cretan gorge. With a length of 18 kilometres, it is known as the longest trekking gorge in Europe.
How hard is Samaria Gorge hike?
Samaria Gorge hike difficulty: It is
a medium-difficult hike
. … Length: The hike length is approx 16km of which 13 km are through the National Park and the last 3 km from the park to the village of Agia Roumeli where you will take the ferry back.
Where does the Samaria Gorge start?
Basic information about the Samaria Gorge Crete
It starts from
Xyloskalo area
with an altitude of 1200 m and continues down until the sea level in the village of Agia Roumeli and the Libyan sea.
Is Samaria Gorge worth it?
If you can’t be bothered reading through my drivel and pretentiously filtered photos then here’s the TLDR; Yes,
it’s definitely worth it
! The hike itself took us 6 hours. It’s all downhill which I suppose could be painful if you have bad knees especially as the stones can be a little slippery in places.
Do you need a guide for Samaria Gorge?
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 is the best area to stay in Crete?
The best place to stay in Crete is
Chania area
or western Crete that actually has the best beaches of the island and some of the best hotels along with the beautiful Chania town with its elegant restaurants, the picturesque Old Town of Chania, and the incredible Samaria Gorge (which you should hike).
How long does it take to hike the Samaria Gorge?
The
walk
takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. Local tourist operators provide organized tours to the
Gorge
.
How do you get to Samaria Gorge by car?
Samaria Gorge the Lazy Way
From there go up the nice road until the entrance of the National Park
. After you have paid the 5 Eur fee, proceed until the Gates. This is the narrowest and the most famous point of the Samaria Gorge. This route will take around one hour both ways and the terrain is not challenging.
What is the best time of year to visit Crete?
The best time to visit Crete is from
mid-May to June
or from September to October. May brings with it warmer waters and beautiful wildflowers that can be spotted throughout the island’s natural attractions.
How do you get from Samaria Gorge to Chania?
The only way back to Chania is either
a ferry to a neighboring town followed
by a bus ride or hike back up the trail and drive yourself back. There are two ferries from Agia Roumeli. We took the ferry for Sfakia at 5:30pm.
How many days do you need in Crete?
Crete is a large island with so much to offer. You are surrounded by stunning beaches, archaeological sites, small islands, gorges & historical towns. To see all the “top sights”, it will take a
minimum of 10 days – 2 weeks
, however, you could easily spend 4 weeks and still have more to see.
Was Samaria a part of Israel?
After the death of King Solomon (10th century), the northern tribes, including those of Samaria, separated from the southern tribes and established the separate
kingdom
of Israel. Its capital first was at Tirzah (perhaps modern Tall al-Fāriʿah) and then, from the time of Omri (876–869 or c.
What size is Crete?
Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean and the largest of the islands forming part of modern Greece. It is relatively long and narrow, stretching for 160 miles (260 km) on its east-west axis and varying
in width from 7.5 to 37 miles (12 to 60 km)
.
What is the most beautiful part of Crete?
- The best beach in Crete, Balos lagoon. …
- One of the best places to see in Crete, Samaria Gorge. …
- The must-see sight of Spinalonga. …
- The best beach in eastern Crete, Voulisma. …
- The best place to visit in Crete, Agios Nikolaos.
