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Category: CretanWebSiteInfo

Published on Tuesday, 20 December 2011 23:35

Written by Nick Janes

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Samaria Gorge

It would be a missed opportunity to visit Crete and not to walk through the Samaria Gorge. The gorge is in the heart of the White Mountains and was created by surface water wearing away an 18 kilometre long ravine over millions of years. The gorge is recognised as one of the most beautiful and spectacular in Europe if not the world.

Walking down the gorge from the Omalos Plateau to Agia Roumeli on the coast one encounters a variety of wild and sometimes awesome scenery. The walk begins with a flight of wooden steps followed by a twisting path descending rapidly amongst plane and pine trees. There is a viewing platform with an impressive view of the ravine between rock walls which rise to more than 2,000. The path continues down the gorge partly following a stream which is mostly dry during the summer months.

Half way down the gorge is the deserted village of Samaria. Shortly after the village there is the narrowest section of the gorge where the distance between the 300 metre high rock walls is no more than 2 or 3 metres (see picture above). Eventually the path reaches the sea at Agia Roumeli where there are some restaurants and a ferry service to Sfakia. Due to unpredictable winter weather the Samaria Gorge is only open to visitors from May to October.