The gorge of Samaria is the second most popular tourist attraction in Crete (after the Minoan palace of Knossos) and by far the most popular walk. More than a quarter million people walk through the gorge every year from beginning of May to the end of October. In the winter the gorge (located in the National Park of Samaria) is closed to visitors because of the danger posed by water and falling stones.
The reason for the popularity of Samaria may be that it is said to be the longest gorge in Europe, it may also simply be that it is an area of stunning natural beauty, passing through forests of ancient cypresses and pines, then cutting very deep between vertical cliffs through the mountains to emerge at Agia Roumeli by the Libyan sea in the South of Crete
Do not be misled by the fact that so many people walk through the Samaria gorge and think that it is just an easy stroll: the gorge is 16 km long (not 18 as is mentioned in most sources) and the path, although it is maintained and in good condition by Cretan standards, is always stony and also steep at times. If you never walk or take any type of exercise you may find it all pretty heavy going and you will certainly feel your legs for days afterwards.
The walk through the gorge
from Xyloskala (near Omalos) at an altitude of 1250 meters down to Agia
Roumeli will take you anything from 3 to 5 hours of walking time (excluding
the breaks).
For more details about the Samaria walk and how best to do it check The
gorge of Samaria.
Finally, if you are attracted by the idea of walking through this beautiful gorge but put off by the crowds there is a way around it: 99% of the people walking through the gorge of Samaria do so in the morning. If you start in the middle of the day and, walking at a leisurely pace get to Agia Roumeli in the evening you will meet only a handful of people. You can spend the night in Agia Roumeli and if you wish, return to your "base" the following day. In the summer months this will also help you avoid walking the last two kilometres which are without shade in the blazing sun. All in all and if you don't have to rely on organized tours to take you through the gorge it will be a far more fulfilling experience than walking with the masses.
