Samaria Gorge Review: Crete’s Wild Heart & Agia Roumeli Guide

So, you are thinking of checking out the Samaria Gorge in Crete? That’s awesome! It’s like, not just a walk, you know; it’s an experience. Seriously, getting down into that gorge is something else. It’s like taking a step back in time and getting real close to nature. People talk about it a lot, and really, there’s a reason for that. You get this total sense of accomplishment at the end, that’s for certain. And, too, there’s Agia Roumeli. We will get to that. That, is a pretty cool reward at the end of a long day of hiking. Actually, the Samaria Gorge isn’t just a destination; it’s kind of like, a physical challenge that ends with real moments of peace, is that something you may like?

What to Expect from Your Hike in Samaria Gorge

So, alright, what is a day hiking through Samaria Gorge like, exactly? Well, first of all, just remember this: it is long. The whole path is about thirteen kilometers (around eight miles), yet that last section after you get out of the park and walk on into Agia Roumeli is long too. It tends to be all downhill, which, sounds awesome, and very, very easy, right? Well, maybe not so much on your knees and toes! You will be glad for sturdy boots! Anyway, typically it takes from around four to seven hours to hike the entire gorge, of course that will be reliant on your fitness and the number of stops you will make along the route.

Alright, getting down into the gorge can be very steep right at the beginning, with switchbacks made out of rocks. Then, that trail winds along next to the riverbed (usually dry by the end of spring), right past towering cliffs, rock formations that appear a bit odd, and through forests of old Cyprus trees and pine, so it feels nice and sheltered even in the middle of summer. Water springs appear every couple of kilometers, too. That, means you can refill your water bottle, very handy indeed!

There are, actually, a number of rest spots, too, along the way, many with simple bathrooms. If you have to, then you will have to! Just a little tip for you! Typically the gorge becomes quite crowded during peak season (mainly between June and August), and so you might like to get there early to, that, will allow you to take advantage of thinner crowds and some cooler conditions. Very likely you will come across some of the gorge’s permanent residents, the Kri-Kri goats (Cretan goats), that tend to be usually pretty unafraid of humans, too it’s almost funny.

Reaching the Starting Point: Omalos

So, how does one actually get to the top of the Samaria Gorge in the first place? Many folks start in Chania, yet, there are options from other towns. Actually, typically, that easiest way would be taking an organized bus trip, which includes your transport both to Omalos (that is, the trailhead) and then from Agia Roumeli back to Chania once the hike has been completed. Usually, this means a very early start (like 6 AM!). That can feel, is that something you may agree on?, quite harsh while on holiday, that might be completely worth it, given the alternative means hours driving winding mountain roads yourself.

Yet, you, that is the experienced driver, can actually make the trip independently to Omalos. Drive right to the village of Omalos, that tends to be on the edge of the gorge. There is parking available near the entrance, although it might get full fast in summer months. If you go this route, just plan very, very carefully to find the logistics for after the hike; really the only way from Agia Roumeli will be catching a ferry to either Chora Sfakion or Sougia and so grabbing a bus from either of such villages to take one back to Omalos may turn into a pretty serious operation. Consider pre-booking your ferry/bus if you don’t like stress and have definite timelines in mind!

Hiking Through the Gorge: Highlights and Landmarks

Right, now it is time for the exciting stuff! On the Samaria Gorge hike, each stage of the hike provides different views and some little spots to stop, that make the walking something interesting. Like your route takes you down a varied landscape, there is almost something really beautiful to observe pretty constantly.

One of the very iconic spots inside Samaria Gorge is “The Gates” or “Iron Gates” (that’s “Sideroportes” in Greek), which really is the gorge’s narrowest spot. That, point is very spectacular since the rock walls close to about only four meters apart, while climbing up to heights reaching 300 meters! Most people pause at that narrow part, just so they can snap some pics and maybe take a quick break.

Alright, another very great location along the gorge turns out to be the deserted village Samaria, that the gorge got named after. Up until 1965, the town’s very last inhabitants got relocated in order to conserve that national park. Right now, several buildings continue to be preserved, and it really offers such a haunting reminder of a former, but vanished way of life. People sometimes see Kri-kri wandering right in town here as, usually, this really is one spot that rangers keep a look out for animals so it turns out a, a good rest stop also!

Agia Roumeli: The Coastal Village at the Gorge’s Exit

Okay, after all of those kilometers walked downhill through Samaria Gorge, can you visualize the blue-green Libyan sea suddenly coming into view as you leave the park, finally?! Agia Roumeli acts like, that coastal escape situated at the southern end point of the gorge and this really is only accessible by ferries or just hiking since there is actually no roads for transport.

Just take it that your feet have taken one down over 13 kilometers of rough trails by that point you are probably eager to go and then sprawl onto one of the village’s inviting beaches to start soaking up the Mediterranean sun rays. Yet you might feel a need to first visit one of its classic tavernas. People, that have made it there on the walking trail from Samaria Gorge love celebrating with an icy drink (particularly fresh squeezed orange juice or a chilled Mythos beer) whilst re-energizing. Yet very really any of that food which you grab here typically happens to tastes good given you made a hard day of just trekking it right through the gorge!

Just as a final, quick mention – if by chance you’re just not quite done, or feel just more energetic, at that time it will be alright to, walk along from Agia Roumeli on over to this abandoned Turkish fortress standing atop a little headland. To walk here only is just a bit (thirty to forty mins) so really isn’t actually to exhausting but you are getting very rewarding spectacular ocean view plus a nice glimpse of some old times.

Practical Information and Tips for Hikers

Before setting off along through Samaria Gorge there tends to be some tips to bear just at heart so your day remains as smooth as, that is practical! You really need great hiking boots that got broken-in to avoid just getting blisters. Taking along loads of water or just other hydration drinks stays completely just basic because, by the close season, just not too much fresh stream might appear right in rivers as, mostly that has probably, usually already ran completely dry up. Obviously putting that on, is always good, sunblock will give some help because even if some trail might well lie shrouded right under shadows of cliffs as the day proceeds just having sun cover helps prevent burns for sensitive exposed locations.

Wear some kind of clothes you’ll stay so relaxed in and pack snacks giving extra vigor during extended trails really. People also can discover such strolling stick beneficial because they can aid stability around jagged slopes (in particular for lower joints as ankles or the knees).

Eventually simply be aware that usually the gorge will stay entirely start from early May by October provided perfectly great heat patterns but also provided which has had practically, is that right, almost no rains during days, however such precise intervals could often alter depending on climate, so checking just to confirm from close locals will prove generally valuable beforehand.

Right now a bit important details… Keep some funds. Entry will costs a bit (that is at present just five euros); ferry trips taken between Agia Roumeli on to places just like Sougia perhaps Sfakia comes around near ten euros or thereabouts so factor those prices into trip spending plans. Plus never go forget just leaving those bag/plastic refuse far off – because usually there will really be almost literally little waste-bins right through Samaria’s hiking place therefore almost anything you bring, so will people keep safe right back there! Finally, have just loads experiences!

Actually, getting through Samaria Gorge appears almost tough; however, the sense of really obtaining fulfillment by reaching somewhere near that edge renders everything just genuinely memorable, actually! Taking that trip requires very appropriate physical ability not to forget adequate organizing; despite everything provided really will usually provide you opportunities, literally literally literally right through, when admiring unspoiled wonders within probably perhaps even just really hidden landscapes during old days throughout beautiful Greek Islands of, like your dreams. Cheers to good experiences!

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