The Samariá Gorge is a National Park of Greece since 1962 on the island of Crete – a major tourist attraction of the island – and a World's Biosphere Reserve.The gorge of Samaria is situated in the National park of Samaria, in the White Mountains in West Crete. This majestuous gorge is considered one of the great attractions of Crete and many tourists want to visit it. But you must realise that it is a long (5 to 7 hours) walk on rough terrain so you will need to have a certain degree of fitness and walking experience in order to enjoy it.
After admiring the mountain views atop the trailhead, you’ll descend a steep switchback built in Ottoman times and bordered in the steepest parts by a handrail. You'll pass the tiny Agios Nikolaos chapel. The hairpin turns last for almost two-miles, at which point your knees will be thankful because the gradient eases and the valley merges into the gorge proper.
The trail now goes over the river, which is usually reduced to a stream by early summer months. It’s a good place to rest and enjoy a snack. A short way down you’ll reach the abandoned settlement of Samaria, whose inhabitants were relocated after the park’s creation in 1962. Today the stone structures serve as a medical clinic and lodgings for researchers.
