Chania Samaria Gorge Hiking Tour: A Detailed Review

If you’re someone who feels that a real vacation needs a healthy dose of nature, the Samaria Gorge hike may be right up your alley, that it is a thing that many consider a must-do when in Crete, so they say. As someone who isn’t exactly a pro hiker but loves being outdoors, I wanted to share my experience with the “From Chania Samaria Gorge Hiking Tour.” You know, like to give you a feel for what it’s like and what you might expect, I want to touch on everything, well starting with booking the tour to that rewarding feeling when you reach the end.

Booking and Prep

So, the tour part was super straightforward. Most operators based in Chania, like your local travel agency or even your hotel, more or less provide access to the Samaria Gorge Hiking Tour, that there is a fair bit of competition, as far as pricing, so shop around. Typically, the cost hovers around €30-€60, almost just depending on which add-ons are thrown in, like meals or a private guide.

It might be worth it, so think of booking as that initial investment in that future story you are going to have, that you want to remember. Before you pay your money though, check what’s included. Like your standard package will almost always include your bus transport to the gorge entrance, that ferry ticket from Agia Roumeli after your hike and the park entrance fee, so no real nasty surprises.

What to bring, very though, this is where things get interesting:

Hiking boots: Very seriously though, it is not that place for your brand-new sneakers, and you’ll be thanking yourself a bit for investing in some quality hiking boots, so that you’ve broken in ahead of time. That trail, it can be rocky and unforgiving.
Sunscreen and a hat: Basically, the Cretan sun does not play around, so protect your skin. A hat is also great, for like providing shade.
Water: It can be helpful, to bring lots of it. It can get really hot. I suggest you carry at least 2-3 liters, if not more.
Snacks: I tend to be the type to bring high-energy snacks, such as nuts, energy bars, dried fruit, all great options, to keep you going.
First-aid kit: It may be needed, that small kit with blister plasters, pain relievers, and antiseptic wipes, might just save your skin at some point.
Light backpack: It might be beneficial to Have something easy, for you, to carry all of this.

Early Start and the Drive

Most tours begin extremely early, so you’ll likely find yourself bleary-eyed at your pickup point around 6:00-7:00 AM, just because you have to think about the drive. That drive from Chania to Omalos, where your gorge entrance is, anyway, the drive takes close to 2 hours. I’m being truthful, though, that it’s actually not too bad.

It can be scenic, and you’re going to wind your way through some absolutely pretty villages and the views of that countryside might be gorgeous, so you know, maybe take some snaps. I actually dozed off for a bit, so you’ll probably do the same. But hey, that sleep is probably gonna prep you for that hike.

The Hike Down

As soon as you’re at that entrance, Xyloskalo, you’re going to see just how massive the drop is. Anyway, don’t let it put you off. That beginning might be kinda steep and it could be rough, too. I guess what I’m getting at is it may just require a bit of care with where you put your feet.

Soon, you’re more or less following the path down, you should be finding that gorge opens up a bit, and things begin to even out, too. Now I will just remind you, this is a pretty decent hike, though. The Samaria Gorge, the longest in Europe, and to finish you must do 13-16 km.

Keep at it, though, that you’ll feel happy once you’re done! Some spots are fairly shaded because that sun beating down on those open areas just isn’t great! Along that way, anyway, expect that you’re going to find like fresh water springs so, more or less, fill up your bottles. All you do is listen and be careful with those uneven rocks under your feet and be sure that you have something suitable for you on your feet!

Inside the Gorge: Flora, Fauna, and Landmarks

Arguably the hike, well, it’s beautiful, that I enjoyed like the little random stuff just as much as that massive nature all around. You get to see that Cretan wild goat, so they say the Kri-Kri, that these guys seem like experts when it comes to that rocky ground.

The flowers can also be beautiful when the time comes. Then there are places, like that little church halfway down, to show you this place has stories. It seems more or less sacred. To touch briefly, though, that narrowest spot, “The Gates,” it’s mind blowing.

The light is lovely! I will say if that claustrophobia is a concern, so that part only lasts a really quick bit. Anyway, that height and all is really something to check out!

Agia Roumeli and the Ferry

Okay, let me tell you, by the time you reach Agia Roumeli, you are going to be absolutely beat, yet pretty much satisfied too! What you might see as well is that you come to what is more or less a cute seaside town.

Very importantly, though, get there as soon as you are able to because ferries tend to depart sometime between mid to late afternoon. I remember just diving into that sea immediately; something that made every single blister almost okay. You know what’s also pretty much appealing?

The town has like restaurants to unwind and get some food after. Most will tend to sell classic Greek dishes. Try some of those dishes to gain your strength again; after what you’ve just done you’ll very much deserve that food!

Anyway, so now that ferry goes from there to a bigger town and, very likely, Sfakia. What will typically follow, at Sfakia, is you get your bus transfer. That bus transfer you get on at the beginning will take you back. Get there in time, so you don’t miss it. Make sense?

Final Thoughts

Very, really, so okay, that Samaria Gorge tour coming from Chania. I can just very strongly say, go, do it. Make those plans! Just give it some thought and it requires preparation, just be certain you have everything planned. At the time I walked, I was not someone who hiked too often! I’m really thrilled to be able to have done that walk! That place and landscape were just very memorable, in a way.

Anyway, to speak now of Crete and Chania! If I was back and wanting a physical kind of test again I would consider walking it again. So why not try it and decide about this bit of Crete, very for yourself?