SAMARIA GORGE

Not within the definite boarders of the Municipality of Chania, however it would be a great miss if we did not mention the most famous gorge of them all, across Crete; the Samaria Gorge. Samaria Gorge is the largest gorge in Greece, the longest in Europe measuring 18km in length and the most visited gorge in Crete. Hiking down the trail will take up to 4-7 hours depending upon your stamina and experience. Its widest point measures 150m wide, whereas the narrowest near the exit called ‘Doors’ measures just 3m with rock formations that reach 600m in height! Starting from the Omalos plateau on the White Mountains at an altitude of 1200m, the gorge leads all the way down to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli.

Samaria gorge and its surrounding area have been declared a National Park protected by the UNESCO Travel Network of Biosphere Reserves because of the rarity of many, unique in the world, endemic species that live there. Endangered flora and fauna species create a unique ecosystem that is strictly protected and visitors are strongly recommended to respect and do not disrupt in any way this unique environment. The human factor has left its footprint along the descent, revealing the passage of mankind through time in this particular location. Byzantine chapels, ruins of ancient cities, old Christian graves and Venetian fortresses are a living testimony that the Samaria Gorge fascinates timelessly.