Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide
Overview
Available languages
14 hours
Mobile ticket
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through one of Europe’s longest and most breathtaking gorges!
This is a full-day hiking adventure, ideal for nature lovers and active explorers. You’ll hike approximately 16 kilometers through dramatic landscapes, towering cliffs, ancient forests, and the famous narrow passage known as the “Iron Gates.” Along the way, you might spot the rare Cretan wild goat (Kri-Kri) and enjoy the rich, wild beauty of Crete's national park. The hike typically takes between 5 to 7 hours, depending on your pace, and ends at the peaceful seaside village of Agia Roumeli. Here, you’ll have free time to relax, enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear Libyan Sea, and have lunch at one of the charming seaside tavernas.
After recharging by the sea, we board the ferry-boat to Sougia, cruising along Crete’s rugged southern coastline. At Sougia, our bus will be waiting to comfortably drive you back to Chania after a day full of adventure and natural beauty.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Pick up/Drop off is conducted only is select spots in Chania. Depending on your location, you will be advised on the time and place after booking.
Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes for the trek through the gorge
It is advisable to bring the following items with you: sunscreen, sunglasses and hat
It is important to stay hydrated, so bring a bottle of water (you can refill it in the gorge's springs) and a light snack (fruits etc.)
Υou can swim at Agia Roumeli beach just after you exit the gorge so make you have a swimsuit and beach towel with you
Τhe entrance fee to Samaria as well as the boat fee are paid with cash on the spot
Half way down the gorge lies the old village of Samaria, which has a telephone for communication with the police, a pharmacy, and two mules to transport injured persons.
In the village of Samaria, take a quiet walk around and you may catch a glimpse of the endangered kri‐kri. They are usually very friendly towards people!
Upon reservation please advise the exact name of your hotel in order to send you the exact pick up time and place
Τhe trip is not recommended for any person with a history of knee problems, high blood pressure, cardiac and pulmonary problems, pregnant women and for anybody who suffers from vertigo/fear of heights
What To Expect
Omalos
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from designated spots around Chania via a luxurious bus and reach the starting point of your tour in Omalos Plateau around 7am. The panoramic view of the gorge from the plateau is a photophile's delight, so after short stop for pictures and/or breakfast, you will hop on the bus and depart for the traditional village of Sougia. It is there that you will hop on a boat and sail along the coast of Crete till you reach Agia Roumeli.
Samaria Gorge National Park
No holiday in Crete is complete without a trip through the 2nd longest gorge in Europe, the Gorge of Samaria. It is the longest and most imposing ravine in the Mediterranean. It is 16.5 kilometers in length from the position of Xyloskalo and terminates at Agia Roumeli in the Libyan Sea. We will arrive around 7 o’clock in the morning and after a short break you will start walking. Descending the 600 wooden steps you will be intrigued by the beauty and serenity of this massive gorge which is shadowed by the white Mountains. You will 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. The hike ends at Agia Roumeli.
Options
Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania
Pickup included
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
Air-Conditioned Luxury Bus
Hiking Escort
Full Liability Insurance
Personal expenses, extra beverages or meals
• Boat Fare: 15 euros //Up to 12,99 yrs : 7,50 €
Entrance fee: EU CITIZENS: 0-17FREE/ 18-64(10,00 €)/ 65+ (FREE)
Entrance Fee: OTHER NATIONALITIES: 0-4FREE/ 5-64(10,00 €)No discount for 65+ (10,00 €)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
386 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A fantastic hike!
Katherine C,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed this hike! It is challenging, but by hiring hiking poles from our guide, taking it steady and drinking plenty of water, it all went well. The scenery is fantastic!
Missed Trip
Andrew K,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00I cannot rate this trip as we got the pick up time wrong and the tour organiser tried calling my mobile but being from overseas I only had data access and no phone access. They didn’t think to use What’s App or Viber. We did ask the driver if we could catch up with the tour bus, but he said that they were driving back a different way so we’d have a problem trying to get back to our car. We ended up doing the trip on our own, as we had a car. Which actually worked out cheaper, if you didn’t count the cost of what we had already paid Viator. It’s a shame really. It would have been great if we were offered a credit or part refund by Viator or the trip organise, seeing we didn’t use their services.
Awesome experience, it...
Kevin P,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience, it was a long day and your legs will most likely be sore for days after. The Samaria Taverna at the end was fantastic, great food and great people.
Samaria Gorgeous 😍
Steve N,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Beautiful walk, but don't underestimate. The walk is roughly 10 miles long. Largely downhill for the first 1/3, then gradually becomes more undulating as you lose altitude. Top tips: 1. Footwear. Please wear good shoes or boots for hiking. 10 miles is a fair distance if you're not used to it, and you may end up with sore feet if ill prepared. 2. Food/Drink: Once you're on the trail, there's no food or drink to buy. Natural springs are dotted along the walk, but I'd recommend you take any food or drinks before. 3. Pace yourself and remember to look up. The gorge is beautiful. We completed the walk in plenty of time to have food and a few drinks down at the beach. Your feet will appreciate a dip in sea. Please remember this is a nature trial, not a tourist attraction per se, so don't expect this to be a walk in the park. Finally, you have a guide, but hopefully, you won't see him. The boat leaves at a predetermined time, so the guide leaves after everyone else. That way he can help anyone struggling. Downside is no info on route, but to be fair, we loved it and you don't want to be walking to someone else's pace. It'll either be too fast or slow for your liking.
The walk is long but...
Peter S,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The walk is long but beautiful. The town after is charming and we enjoyed relaxing by the beach. It’s a long day though.. 15 hours after all the drop offs.
The gorge is beautiful...
Derek S,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The gorge is beautiful and the lovely beach is a fantastic reward at the end. The hike is challenging but very doable for people in decent shape. The first 2km are the steepest descent of the day and there are plenty of water springs to refill your water bottle. You will need to bring food as there is nothing on the journey. Luckily your descent begins at a shop with coffee, water, and some basic food items for purchase. Our guide was very energetic and knowledgeable.
Great day walking Samaria Gorge
996garethl,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day out hiking Samaria Gorge. Fantasy Travel provided all the details we needed to have a safe, enjoyable hike - what to wear, timings, what to take etc. Everything went like clockwork exactly as they had briefed and we had a really enjoyable day. Our guide, Nikos, was excellent. Really good value trip.
Phenomenal views to be seen on this tour
tina p,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Definitely worth experiencing this hike just bare in mind the next day your leg muscles will be sore so have a chilled day planned ahead.
Do yourself a favour, get fit before you tackle this adventure
22Marmite,May 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00You can complete the Gorge if you are not fit. I did it. The difference is how much more you will enjoy it if you are fit. You can look up and enjoy the view, instead of watching and concentrating on ever footstep for fear of falling. Clambering over huge boulders, hobbling through uneven loose rocks and shiny sharp stone is no pleasure to an unfit person. The walk took me 5 and a half hours. I was utterly exhausted and in pain. I had no energy to leap into the sea at the end of the hike, and even if i did, there wasnt enough time before the boat left. This is not to mention the real pain in your thighs and calfs in the days after the trip. So, in brief, if you are fit you will have a wonderful thrilling adventure with spectacular views, ending in a refreshing swim. If you are unfit, you will hobble your way painfully watching every step, missing the views, just longing for it all to be over. Im thrilled I did it, but wish I had done it when I was fitter !!
Smooth and easy
Tomas B,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Bring a water bottle! The bus stops where you can buy breakfast. The tour takes all day, early morning to late evening.
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Operated by Fantasy Travel