Greece · Hiking

10-Hour Samaria Gorge Hike from Chania with Agia Roumeli Visit

34 Hours Round trip from Chania Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Hike through Samaria Gorge on a day trip from Chania
02 See the rich flora and fauna of Europe's longest gorge
03 Walk the beautiful Xyloskalo wooden steps beneath the White Mountains
04 Reach Agia Roumeli village with free time to eat, drink, and swim

Sign up for this ultimate hiking adventure to Samaria Gorge, situated on the Omalos Plateau in the White Mountains. Pass through the beautiful Xyloskalo wooden steps, walk past the Iron Gates, and reach the impressive village of Agia Roumeli. Along the way, take in the rich flora and fauna of Europe's longest gorge and keep an eye out for the Cretan kri-kri mountain goats in the wild.

Along the way, take in the rich flora and fauna of Europe's longest gorge and keep an eye out for the Cretan kri-kri mountain goats in the wild.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 34 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Chania, Samariá Gorge

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Samaria Gorge Hike to Agia Roumeli Village

05:20-06:10: Connect with your tour guide, who will pick you up from your hotel to start the tour.
07:30: Make the first stop at the Omalos Plateau.
08:00: Begin hiking through the Xyloskalo wooden steps (1,200 m). Witness the beauty and serenity of the massive Samaria Gorge, shadowed by the White Mountains.
Then, come across the church of St. Nicolas, built on the ruins of an ancient temple.
Afterwards, you will reach "Portes" or "Iron Gates", the narrowest pass of the gorge.
14:00: End the trek at Agia Roumeli Village (time depends on how fast you walk). Have some free time to eat, drink, and swim.
16:30: Meet your guide at Agia Roumeli and receive the ferry boat tickets to Sougia.
17:00-17:30: Depart from Agia Roumeli to Sougia.
20:00-20:30: Arrive back at your hotel.

Tour ends.

Where this trip takes you

Samaria Gorge, Xyloskalo wooden steps, White Mountains, Agia Roumeli Village

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Chania 2 cities · 34 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop-off
English-speaking local tour guide

What's Not Included

Please note that the gorge entrance fee (5 EURO) and boat ticket (11 EURO) are not included and must be paid on the spot in cash.

What to bring

Sun cream, sunglasses, and a hat
Long-sleeved shirt for sensitive skin
A light jumper for the morning
Good hiking shoes
Bottle of water and a light snack (fruits, etc.)
Swim suit and a beach towel

Know before you go

Drink plenty of water (you can refill your bottle from the springs inside the gorge).
Go slow in the first 2 km of the walk and avoid stopping for a rest just below high cliffs.
Avoid resting for more than 15 minutes, especially if you are not used to this sort of walk, because your muscles will start to stiffen up and you may find it hard to get going again.
Whilst in the village of Samaria, take a quiet walk around it - you will probably catch a glimpse of the kri-kri. The young ones are used to seeing people every day and are not that shy.
Always look where you are heading. When you want to look around, make sure you do not block the path, and then look.
Halfway down the gorge lies the old village of Samaria. The village has a telephone for communication with the police, a pharmacy, and two mules to transport injured persons. The trip is not recommended for any person with a history of knee problems, high blood pressure, cardiac and pulmonary problems, pregnant women, and anybody who suffers from vertigo or fear of heights. If still interested, please check "Samaria Easy Way".

Logistics