Samaria Gorge Hike from Heraklion region

Overview

Available languages

German

English

Italian

Polish

French

Dutch

12 hours

Mobile ticket

A unique walk through the Samaria Gorge, the largest in Europe, with a length of about 18 kilometers, will allow you not only to admire the breathtaking views and the wildlife, but also to test yourself.

Samaria Gorge is located in the heart of the majestic "White Mountains", south of Omalos plateau. Tourist route begins at an altitude of 1250 meters above sea level along the trail with wooden fences, laid down the mountainside. The narrowest and probably the most picturesque place called "Portes" - gates, where cliffs rise to a height of 500 meters, while the width of the river gorge at only 3-4 meters. 47 bridges cross the river Tarraios passing through the White Mountains and the valley. You will meet with the inhabitants of the reserve - wild goats Kri-Kri or see rare species of orchids.

After 4-6 hours of walking, you will get out to the beautiful Agia Roumeli beach, where you can swim in its crystal waters and have lunch. The boat will take you back to the bus.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Specialized infant seats are available

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

If an infant does not sit on lap in the bus, It is necessary to pay a child ticket.

After booking we will contact you to arrange the pick-up. Please, note, if you do not provide your pick-up details up to 24 hours before the tour, we do not guarantee the pick-up. For pick-up from different location, please, contact us.

NOTE: It is a 18 kilometers walk along very rocky path, sometimes steep.

Visiting the gorge is usually recommended for children over 7 years old, who like to walk a lot. Infants only in a special carriers.

The tour starts at 06.00am and you will be back at your hotel around 10.00pm, depending on the pick up location.

Pick-up from the specific bus stops next to the hotels. From Area 1: all the villages between Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi

Area 2: Georgioupoli/Rethymno/Panormo/Bali/Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa/Gazi

Monday: English, German, French

Tuesday: English, German, French, Polish, Italian, Dutch

Thursday: English, German, French, Polish, Italian, Dutch

Saturday: English, German, French, Polish, Italian, Dutch

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Transfer with air-conditioned bus

Certified tour guide

Pick-up from hotels of the HERAKLION region (at the specific bus stops outside of your hotel)

Ticket entrance to Samaria National Park, Child up to 15 years - free of charge

Ticket for the boat from Agia Roumeli to Hora Sfakion

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

The Samaria gorge is located on a height of 1227 meters above sea level. This is the longest gorge in Europe: 18km pathway and width from 3 to 300 meters. The walking tour begins in the early morning from Omalos plateau 43 km from the city of Chania. Walking time is about 5-6 hours, so be sure to take some water and something to eat. Before entering the gorge and at the exit there are taverns where you can dine, and throughout the whole journey you will have to be content with only your own reserves. Descenting along the picturesque mountain stream will take you to the southern coast of the island to Agia Roumeli. After relaxing and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea, you will go on a small boat along the southern coast of Crete to the port of Chora Sfakon where you will wait for the bus. Take very seriously the decision to visit the gorge, especially if you have health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The path has to be overcome at a sufficiently energetic pace with the air temperature reaching sometimes up to thirty-odd degrees in the shade. The duration is 12-16 hours, depends on your pick-up.

Options

Pick-up Area 1

From Heraklion East region:: Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi
Pickup included

Pick-up Area 2

From Heraklion West region:: Georgioupoli/Rethymno/Panormo/Bali/Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa/Gazi
Pickup included

Reviews

4.27

26 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great, quite challenging hike
ULALB,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Impressive but challenging hike! Good footwear is half the battle (ankle-high hiking boots recommended). There were also people who tried their luck with Chucks and often slipped. In general, it is certainly advantageous to be sporty and sure-footed, but with corresponding time, people with less sporty constitution seem to have made their way down (even if some seemed less than happy with their decision to go on this hike). In general, it's a great way that's fun and requires concentration. If you hike without a break, you are through in about 3.5h, with breaks and slower walking pace just correspondingly longer. I can only recommend this trip and join the recommendations to bring comfortable sportswear, headgear, sunglasses and sunscreen. Helmets can be rented if necessary (due to stonefall). Hiking poles were recommended by the tour guide. I myself found it better without, because I wanted my hands free to support with larger boulders, but there are long distances where it is certainly an advantage for some. On the way there are toilets (I only discovered standing toilets) and the possibility to replenish water at springs. But you should bring snacks and water bottle. I would do it again anytime and was very pleased in the evening. PS: Take your bathing suits! The crystal clear sea at the end is a crowning conclusion to the hike
Amazing walk! Bring cash...
Alexandra L,
Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing walk! Bring cash for the tickets you need to purchase! The host Theodora was great and so helpful.
Spectacular. For the fit, best way to see a lot of Crete in one day.
James H,
Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It is a long day. I was picked up a little after 6:00 a.m. and returned to my hotel at close to 10 p.m. or 22:00. The hike itself is demanding. I am an avid hiker and even I was feeling tired and sore at the end. But it's MORE than worth it! If you're lucky, you'll see a bright red sunrise over the Gulf of Heraklion from the bus window. Later, the ascent up to the White Mountains from Chania is epic. The hike is ~13 miles, which takes most about 6 hours, and has several unique and memorable sights. Finally, almost as brilliant as the hike itself, the open-air boat taxi along the southern coast in the Libyan Sea is stunning and also provides new perspective of the island's dramatic geology, including other gorges. The drive back to Heraklion takes a different route so that you see even more new sights of rural Crete. The operators are well-organized and provide detailed instructions in multiple languages while on the bus to ensure everyone knows the logistics.
A worthy challenge, but be prepared.
Patricia R,
Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The 16km hike is a challenge; we brought walking boots as ordinary trainers can be slippery and not provide the support you need over such rocky terrain. Our guide, Marizia, was absolutely smashing; providing knee supports, checking on us to ensure we made it on time to catch the last boat. This was the case with the tour company -accommodating in every way. It is well worth it, but I would advise boots, knee supports, or sticks as the desent into the gorge is an out of the ordinary task. I have never had knee issues, but they were troublesome that day. My teenage son adored it.
Super tour with great guide
deniselZ7599XN,
Jun 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Super Organisation. I got detailed information about the pick up in advance. On the bus ride there were exact details about the tour and the return trip was also super organized.
Must have done in your life
an s,
Jun 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very friendly guide. A friend felt her weak due to height differences along the way and fear. They gave her a drink and often asked us how it went along the way. What we didn't know is if you're late you'll miss the boat and have to spend the night there.
Second time in 25 years
Rigmor S,
May 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Nice walk when you are prepared - 25 years since my last time there! Nice breeze that day. Walking alone make you get in contact with people. Guide Theodora gave good information and guidance.
Canceled without notice!!!
Tinah Y,
May 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
There is no experience to tell. Prior to the trip, they told me it was canceled. Then 3 days before my trip, they say it's back on. Then 2 days before the trip, they said we can't do Samaria Gorge but offered Imbros Gorge instead, which i excitedly accepted. After that confirmation (which I have and they charged my card), I didn't hear nothing from them. The day of the excursion, I woke up at 5:30am, went to the meeting spot at 6:10am, pick-up time was 6:20am. I sat for 30 minutes and no one came. I couldn't call because I do not have data. I had to beg a stranger to call for me, only to be told it was canceled. NO ONE CALLED OR CONTACTED ME TO TELL ME THIS. I went to bed early the night before, while all my friends went out, so I missed out on that. I also missed out on booking something else for the day. After that I messaged to ask what happened and I have yet to hear back. They just said we will refund you within 5-7 days. No, I'm sorry for not notifying you. No, im sorryfor your inconvenience. No compensation. NOTHING!!! Its been crickets. DO NOT BOOK with this company if you don't want your holiday/vacation ruin!!!
Very good reliable travel agent
Brigitte S,
Aug 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We have booked the Samaria Gorge activity here. Excellently helped by the Owner. Good information given in advance. On the day itself we had a good Guide who made sure she was the last hiker. She also gave clear instruction and explanations in advance. The gorge itself is nice to walk but also quite tough because you always have to be wary where you put your feet. Our children of 12 and 10 have held up just fine. It is a long day because you will be picked up early (6:15 from our location) and by 21:15 you will be back. Last piece they preferred not to take a big coach through the busy street and there they had arranged a smaller van to drop us off at apartment. We had already rented a car through the travel company, but despite that the Owner also gave good information about beautiful places on Crete to go by car. While he organizes such day trips himself. Great compliment to this man by being so welcoming and helpful!
Dry Gorge, Long Hiking
lisea plt,
Aug 21, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
This hike promises to be refreshing, you will not be disappointed! In August, the gorges are dry and water appears from 10km! Anything but refreshing, fleeing the summer. The landscapes are beautiful but we spend our time looking at our feet for fear of falling (slippery stones). Do not go with people dear to you you risk losing them! On the last kilometers it is recommended by signs to run by risk of getting stones on your head. After 5 hours Point of Sale we finally find the water. But do not expect to be able to cool off because you are not allowed to swim. The water remains safe to drink throughout the ride. Leave before 10am otherwise you will miss the Check-out of the last boat.