General information

Samaria gorge

Samaria National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the White Mountains of Crete, draws tens of thousands of visitors per year to hike the spectacular gorge at its center. While it's not the only gorge in the area, Samaria Gorge is by far the biggest—in fact, it's Europe's second-largest gorge overall.

The 10-mile trail starts at the top of the gorge, taking visitors past towering cliffs, sweeping views, and uniquely Cretan flora and fauna, eventually ending at the Libyan Sea in the town of Agia Roumeli. At its narrowest (and most dramatic) point, known as "the Gates," the gorge is only 13 feet wide—and nearly a thousand feet high.

Itinerary