This location is #60 on our Best Travel Destinations In Greece & Greek Islands Map!
The Samaria Gorge, located in southwest Crete, Greece, is one of Europe’s most renowned natural landmarks, stretching approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) from its northern entrance at Xyloskalo to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea. The hiking trail itself is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) long within the Samaria National Park, with an additional 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) walk from the park’s exit to Agia Roumeli’s port, making the total trek roughly 9.3 miles (15 kilometers).
The gorge begins at an elevation of 4,100 feet (1,250 meters) and descends to sea level, with its width varying from 492 feet (150 meters) at its widest to just 13 feet (4 meters) at its narrowest point, known as the Iron Gates. The trail, marked by kilometer signs, winds through steep limestone cliffs, reaching heights of up to 1,640 feet (500 meters), and features a river corridor with pools and shady plane trees, offering a mix of rugged and lush terrain.
The Samaria Gorge is celebrated for its dramatic scenery and biodiversity, making it a bucket-list destination for hikers worldwide. It’s known for the breathtaking Iron Gates, where towering cliffs create a narrow, awe-inspiring passage, and the Xyloskalo viewpoint, which offers a stunning panorama of the gorge from the Omalos plateau. The trail showcases a rich ecosystem with over 450 plant and animal species, including the rare kri-kri (Cretan wild goat), which is a key reason for the gorge’s designation as a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The hike, taking 5 to 7 hours, is moderately strenuous due to the distance and rocky terrain, but it rewards visitors with sights like ancient cypress and pine forests, water springs, and the serene coastal exit at Agia Roumeli, where hikers can relax by the Libyan Sea.
Historically, the Samaria Gorge has served as a refuge and a cultural landmark. It was named after the village of Samaria within the gorge, which was abandoned in 1962 when the area became a national park to protect its unique ecosystem and geological features. In the past, the gorge provided shelter for Cretans during times of conflict, such as the 1770 Daskalogiannis Revolt, when locals fled to its depths to escape persecution. The area also has ancient roots, with evidence of cypress timber from the gorge being exported to Egypt for Minoan palace construction. The gorge’s designation as a national park in 1962 aimed to preserve its endemic species, like the kri-kri, and its natural beauty, which continues to draw over a quarter-million visitors annually from May to October.
