It doesn't matter how long you're on Crete for, you must do the Samaria Gorge hike, but depending on the time you visit it could either be pretty busy or closed (rainy season). Book a trip with your local travel agent and a coach will pick you up early in the morning, convey you through the rising sun and deposit... more

My partner and I love walking, although only do a long walk once a year. We had heard about the Samaria Gorge before we visited Crete and decided to schedule a day to do it. We woke up at 6am to get the 7am bus from Rethymnon. It took nearly 3 hours to get to Omalos via Chania and was... more

My wife and I were in Crete in late May. We had read that the gorge was not to be missed so we went for it. Most folks opt for a tour, which drops you off at the top. Then you hike down, enjoy lunch at the bottom, take a ferry to the nearest seaside town with road access and... more

Our tour picked us up at 6am and dropped us off at 9pm, so be prepared! A great experience though, and very glad we did it. It is a long, somewhat challenging hike especially if it is hot out. The ride up to the gorge is very long from Hania. Bring a packback with a bathing suit because there is... more

We visited the gorge early June. The bus journey from our hotel was quite lenthy (over 5 hours). We were picked up at 4am & dropped back off at the hotel at midnight. I was so worth the visit. It was a good walk, hard on the knees though. There are natural springs along the way so you can refill... more

We have just returned from a 2 week trip to Crete and Rhodes and while in Chania we did the Samarin Gorge trip described in all the tour books. In the books it says that "if you have and extra day and a good pair of walking shoes.....do the Samain Gorge". Take it some someone that has done a fair... more

Good idea at the time, but do not attemped if you do not have an excellent level of fitness. To say the hardest part was the descent is an understatement, I took so long to finish 8 hours in total without a break , I lost all power in my legs after the descent which really slowed me down. I... more

What a special place. If you have some basic fitness and no problems with your leg muscles or joints, I highly recommend you walk the Samaria Gorge. You will need to take a tour - which will take you to the Gorge, guide you through it and arrange your ferry and drive back. I definitely recommend a swim at the... more

I did the walk a few years ago, it was an early start 5am.Once everyone was picked up we set off on what I can call the " italian job " if you remember the scene where the coach nearly goes over the edge of the road. These must be the most narrow roads I ahve been on, but well... more