Samaria Gorge

Hike through the longest gorge in Europe, from the Omalos plateau down to the Libyan Sea. A full-day adventure through towering canyon walls and ancient cypress forests.

An early start takes you across the island to the Omalos plateau at 1,200m. The descent begins at Xyloskalo and winds through ancient cypress and pine forests before entering the gorge proper. The trail narrows dramatically at the Iron Gates, where the canyon walls rise 300m on either side and the passage is barely 3m wide. The hike ends at the seaside village of Agia Roumeli, where you can swim in the Libyan Sea before boarding the ferry.