Route through the Samaria Gorge

The starting point for the gorge route is located at about 1,260m altitude in Xyloskalo and is also the entrance to the national park. The name Xyloskalo means "wooden staircase", which, however, is a stone path that winds steeply downwards in the first 2 km with a wooden railing.

After about 1.7 km you reach the first rest area and the Neroutsiko spring, which lies in the shade of large plane trees. From now on the descent becomes a little less steep, eventually you reach the valley floor and then the rest area Agios Nikolaos. There you can find drinking water from spring fountains as well as toilets. At this ancient site there used to be an Apollo temple, the cypresses there are said to be over 2000 years old (4km).

From Agios Nikolaos to Samaria (3.5 km) you cross the river several times and pass two springs where you can refill water bottles with cool water from the fountains. After some time you then reach the village of Samaria via a wooden bridge on the left.

Samaria is the main rest area; there is shade, benches, water, a guard post and a first aid station. With some luck, you can also spot the "Krikri", the Cretan wild goats. They are accustomed to humans and therefore not shy.

About half an hour later, the path leads back to the riverbed. This is the actual beginning of the gorge. At the spot where you descend to the riverbed, you see a sign "Beware of falling rocks." The danger from falling stones (from several hundred meters height) is very real, especially if there is strong wind in the mountains or it has recently rained. Even though it is very unlikely, you should not rest under steep walls and should not scare the wild goats by loud shouting.

In the next hour, you mostly walk in the riverbed and cross the river several times on stones or improvised bridges. The steep rock walls rise on the left and right, undoubtedly the most impressive part of the route.

At kilometer 11 you reach the shaded clearing Christos, where the last spring for refilling water bottles is located, and then the 'Gates', the famous and very narrow gorge section. At this point, hikers often come from the opposite direction, who do not walk the gorge completely from top to bottom but have taken the ship to Agia Roumeli to only visit what is considered the highlight of the gorge.

After the Gates, the gorge widens again and after another 2 km, you reach the exit where a map ticket must be handed in for control. There is also the first shady taverna. Afterwards, you reach the old village Agia Roumeli. However, it was destroyed by a flood wave in the 1950s and mainly consists of dilapidated houses.

From then on, the path is flat, paved or cobbled, but also without shade. After a short time, you reach the new village Agia Roumeli with many tavernas, a small beach and the harbor, from where you can leave the gorge by ship again towards Chora Sfakia.