20km hike in 48 hours: The ascent to Psiloritis and the heroic exit from the Samaria Gorge (Part B)

Beep, beep, beep, beep! It’s the alarm clock on an early Friday morning… We open our eyes and barely recognise our surroundings… Our feet and eyelids feel heavy… But wait! We are in Crete! It was only yesterday that we conquered the top of mount Psiloritis (here will be a link to the previous article) and today we are about to embark on another unique excursion: One of the most famous gorges of all. The Samaria Gorge. 

We get on the bus (called KTEL) from Chania to Omalos. The duration is one hour which is enough to gather our strength for the long journey of almost 16 kilometres. The Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe (the locals call it “Faragga” from “faraggi” = gorge) and is a Cretan trademark. 

We arrive at the entrance, pay our 5 euro ticket and dive into the magic of nature. Trees and plants, rivers and running water, wooden bridges, various birds and the famous “kri-kri” compose an authentic landscape, which inspires us and makes us lose track of time. Every now and then, we stop at the springs to fill our water bottle with fresh water. 

Usually, there is noise during the hike (more than 1,500 people cross it every day) but it’s almost silent now. We meet very few people (mainly the gorge guards), as there are only a few tourists on the island, due to the effects of Covid-19. The positive thing is that the “kri-kri” are not afraid of us and are getting closer in the hopes of receiving a treat! We were fortunate enough to admire this unique creature of the Cretan land. 

Our journey will last about 6 hours and we must keep a steady pace but we need to make short stops for rest and water. 

However, we are well aware that the journey is worth it, especially while getting closer to the most impressive point of the Gorge, which is none other than the spot called “Doors” or “Iron Doors”. It is a reminder that we are only human and should feel awe before nature. The “Doors” are huge and dense rocks, more than 100 meters tall, which rise above your head and create a narrow passage that is no more than 4 meters in width! 

And… voila! We’ve reached the sea! The Libyan Sea stretches out in front of us. We are close to the big exit! Starting at 1,200 meters altitude in Omalos, we have now reached the sea of Agia Roumeli, where the only escape is by ferry boat.

Feelings of relief, joy, pride and exhaustion occur simultaneously! Relief because both “missions” were accomplished. Joy and pride because we achieved two more goals, and exhaustion for obvious reasons! 

Time to return to Athens. We board the night ship, say goodbye to Crete and a question pops into our minds: “Was it worth it?” and the answer echoes in our ears: “Yes! Definitely yes!”.

Need to know

What: 

Samaria Gorge

Where: 

The entrance is from Omalos

How: 

KTEL or car from Chania (1 hour) 

Why:

The largest gorge in Europe (14.5km)

2nd most visited tourist resort of Crete

Unique species of plants and animals (National Park since 1962) 

Opportunity for contact with the unique Ibex species called “kri-kri” native only to Crete

Natural landscape of exceptional beauty

Tips

Physical condition 

Moderate to good physical condition is essential for your smooth exit from Samaria Gorge. The road is long and you should not overestimate your strengths. The gorge is being looked after and there are many spots to rest.

Water sources

There are many springs with running water, so there is no reason to have lots of bottles. However, you should have snacks with you. There are also toilets in several places.

Keep your ticket

When leaving the gorge you must show the ticket you paid upon entering. This is a safety measure, so that the guards know how many people are still on the path.

Admire the uniqueness of nature 

The gorge of Samaria is a rare creation of nature, while also being accessible to everyone. Enjoy!