Samaria Gorge

The longest gorge in Europe is Samaria Gorge

Samaria Gorge is 43 km away from the city of Chania, this is the longest gorge in Europe, measuring some 18 kilometers and renowed for its awesome beauty. At some points the passage is just 3 meters wide and at times the steep sides rise to a height of 600 meters. The gorge is cut by a stream which flows between the highest peak of the White Mountains and Mt. Volikas. Hiking down the gorge is permitted from May to the end of October, depending on the wheather.

At the entrance to the gorge, at Xiloskalo there is a tourist pavillion with a view of majestic Mt. Gygilo (alt. 2,083 m.). On leaving the gorge one encounters the village of Agia Roumeli, where one can take a launch to Hora Sfakion and catch a bus back to Chania.

The road from Hania to the entrance of the gorge traverses picturesque lowland and mountain villages.