Walking down the Samaria Gorge, from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli

The route

The Samaria Gorge crosses the White Mountains from north to south, from the Omalos plateau to the Libyan Sea. It is the heart of the Samaria National Park, created in 1962, the same year the village that gives it its name was evacuated. It is a biosphere reserve and one of the last refuges of the kri-kri, the wild goat of Crete.

The path starts at Xyloskalo, on the edge of the Omalos plateau, down a staircase of wood and stone that zigzags down the slope, among pines and cypresses. It is the steepest stretch: in the first kilometres you lose most of the elevation. Then the path follows the torrent bed, crosses the water several times on walkways and stones and reaches the old village of Samaria, halfway, with stone houses, the church and a rest area.

In the second half the walls close in until the Iron Gates (Sideroportes), the narrowest passage: about 4 m wide between walls almost 300 m high. Shortly after you leave the park and walk the last 2 km, now over open ground, to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli, where the beach awaits.

Distance, time and difficulty

• Distance: 13 km inside the park and about 15–16 km to Agia Roumeli.
• Elevation: about 1,200 m of continuous descent from Omalos, at 1,250 m, to the sea.
• Time: between 5 and 7 hours.
• Difficulty: demanding. Not for technical reasons, but because of the length and the loose stone and boulder ground, which punishes the knees.

It is for people over 12 who are used to walking several hours. It is not recommended with knee or heart problems.

Season and admission

The park only opens in season and closes in winter: according to the managing body, NECCA, it is closed from 1 November 2026 to 9 April 2027. Within the season, the park may close on some days because of heavy rain or the risk of floods and rockfalls.

Admission is compulsory and is obtained as an electronic ticket, with a date, on the NECCA portal (samaria-tickets.necca.gov.gr). Trekking Hellas, which includes it in its excursion, puts it at €5; confirm the price on the portal when you buy. There are water points and rest areas with wardens along the path, but you can't camp or spend the night in the park.

How to get there and how to get back

It is a linear route, so the usual plan is to go to the start by bus and return by boat:

1. Outward: in season, KTEL buses leave early in the morning from Chania station for Omalos, in a little over an hour.
2. Descent: through the gorge to Agia Roumeli, where you can eat and swim.
3. Boat: Agia Roumeli has no road. ANENDYK boats leave in the afternoon for Hora Sfakion or Sougia; you have the fares on the south-coast boats page.
4. Return: from Hora Sfakion or Sougia, a KTEL bus to Chania; check the afternoon timetable before setting out.

If you go by car, leave it in Chania: if you park at Omalos, you will have to come back for it from the coast.

With a guide

If you prefer to have it organised, Trekking Hellas, an agency in Chania, runs the guided excursion with pick-up in the Chania area: €99 per person in a group (on Wednesdays) and private on any day, with park admission included. The return boat is paid separately. It requires a minimum age of 12 and walking experience.

What to bring

Mountain boots or trainers (sandals are not allowed), a reusable bottle to refill at the water points, hat, sun cream, swimwear and a towel for Agia Roumeli, and some food. Poles if you use them.