Samaria Gorge – the longest in Europe

Ascending the White Mountains

For Samaria Gorge we are starting from your place of residence and passing through the Orange Valley, we start our ascent at the White Mountains range. We will stop at several predesigned spots in order to admire the unique view There we will enjoy a soft drink at the Omalos plateau, which is situated right at the heart of the White Mountains. A couple of kilometres later, all visitors to the Samaria Gorge are left at its entrance.

Visitors are picked up at the prearranged time from the port of Sfakia, at the southern coast of Crete. From where they are driven to their place of residence, through a route of unique beauty.

There is also the possibility for the journeyer to prearrange for an experienced guide during the Gorge crossing. As well as to hire a taxi boat to travel from the Aghia Roumeli seaside village (at the Gorge exit) to Sfakia.

The longest Gorge in Europe

The Samaria Gorge is the longest one in Europe. It is an area of stunning natural beauty. Rare flora and fauna have survived in this area and are protected. The mountains that have formed it are wild, high and steep. One will pass through forests of ancient cypresses and pines and descend between vertical cliffs.

The path starts from Xyloskalo (near Omalos) in the White Mountains at an altitude of 1230 meters. It comes to an end at the village of Agia Roumeli at the Libyan sea. Walking through the gorge usually takes anything from 3 to 5 hours (excluding the breaks).

Info

Information provided by the Chania Forest Protection Service

  • Visits to the National park are allowed from May 1 to October 15.
  • Park visiting hours are 07:00 to 15:00 daily. From 15:00 to sunset, visitors are allowed to walk a distance of only two kilometres within the park, either from Xyloskalo or from Agia Roumeli.
  • Within the park it is strictly prohibited to camp, stay overnight, light fires, or swim in the streams of the gorge.

Time Duration: 5 hours of driving (meet our clients in Chora Sfakion or Sougia)

Price: Up to 4 persons 160€, Up to 8 persons 200€

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