The 15 Best Samaria Gorge Hikes in Crete

1.Full-Day Samaria Gorge Trek Excursion & Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,191 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $41Our pick

Join an early full-day trip from Chania to Samaria Gorge, with bus transfers, an English-speaking guide, and a 17-kilometer rocky descent through the White Mountains. Guides such as Sara and Christina help you manage the route, while the beach, taverns, and ferry from Agia Roumeli provide a welcome finish.

“So five minutes before we were supposed to start the gorge they decided to close it. This was very disappointing. However, our guide offered us an alternative option of walking Imbros Gorge instead. This was much easier but still a nice day out. It was particularly interesting to learn that Imbros was used by the allied troops to evacuate during WWII. Afterwards we were taken to Hora Sphakia which was a beautiful little town. I appreciated the organisation of the tour and the ability to pivot and offer us an alternative day trip so the day wasn't wasted.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek, Pickup & Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,610 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $37

Spend a demanding day crossing Samaria Gorge from Omalos to Agia Roumeli. You’ll walk at your own pace over rocky ground, beneath old cypress trees, beside clear springs, and through the famous narrow gorge. Guides such as Pia and George explain the route in English, German, or French, then you return by ferry and air-conditioned coach.

“Very well organised. A great day out. Enough time to enjoy the walk and the beach and town at the end. The trip ended with a beautiful sunset from the ferry.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.From Chania/Rethymno: Samariá Gorge Guided Hike with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,010 reviews · 1 day · from $37

You’ll hike roughly 16 kilometers through Samaria Gorge with an English-speaking guide, beginning in Omalos and ending beside the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli. Guides such as Ingrid, Nikos, and Silvia explain the route and help with timing. Expect steep descents, rough stones, natural springs, a swim, and a ferry to meet your return coach.

“This was an amazing hike, super easy with the hostel pick up/drop off. It was pretty busy at the start but not too bad if you get ahead of the crowds. We finished in about 3.5hrs and the ferry didn’t leave until 5pm, so we spent a while at the end - but there was a cute town and nice beach so no complaints! Would recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Samaria Gorge with Professional Hiking Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 720 reviews · 14 hours · from $37

Join guides such as Ingrid, Nikos, or Dimitris for a full-day Samaria Gorge hike from Chania. Walk 16 km through pine forests, cliffs, and the Iron Gates, then swim at Agia Roumeli before taking a coastal boat and coach home. Expect a rocky downhill route, early pickup, and a long but well-organized day.

“Easy transport from pick up point. Hike was good - mainly downhill. Hike guide was very helpful. Highly recommended 👍”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Samaria Gorge & Agia Roumeli Hiking Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 422 reviews · 15.5 - 17.5 hours · from $58

Travel from Heraklion or nearby resorts to Omalos, then hike roughly 16 kilometers through Samaria Gorge with a multilingual guide nearby. Finish at Agia Roumeli for food and a swim before taking the ferry to Chora Sfakion. Guides such as Maritsa and Maria have earned praise for clear instructions and friendly help.

“We had a brilliant day hiking Samaria Gorge! The travel is long from Heraklion but it's worth it. The bus is comfortable and the guide was very knowledgeable. We made plenty of stops on the way there and back for snacks & toilet breaks. There are opportunities to buy lunch on the way. I would recommend wearing hiking boots or trail shoes for the hike as it is very tough on your feet and legs. You won't be allowed entry to the gorge with sandals. The scenery is spectacular in the gorge - I especially recommend enjoying the mountain views at the very beginning and towards the end. I would…”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 372 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $51

Join Fantasy Travel for a full-day Samaria Gorge trip from Chania, with hotel-area pickup, bus transport, a Sougia boat ride, and an escorted hike. Guides such as Ingrid, Nicos, and Sylvia help with safety and timing, but you walk mostly at your own pace. Expect rocky downhill terrain, about six hours on foot, and time for food and swimming at Agia Roumeli.

“Long day but perfect excursion experience! Started with pick up at 6 am and returned at 9pm. Everything about meet point, stops, and the day was clearly laid out an announced on the bus ride to the national park. The hike was beautiful a lot of decent and rocky so recommend decent hiking shoes. After the exit of the hiking portion there is a road that brings you to a small town and beach area. The water is very clear and perfect after a long hike. Definitely recommended packing bathing suit, towel, any change of clothes/shoes you can carry for that to be able to enjoy it comfortably. Food available…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.From Rethymno/Chania: Imbros Gorge Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 353 reviews · 8 hours · from $30Best value

Walk roughly 8 to 9 km downhill through Imbros Gorge, passing narrow rock walls and historic landmarks with a guide nearby. Then head to Sfakia for swimming, lunch, and seaside views. Hotel pickup, transport, and an English-speaking guide are included. Bring sturdy shoes, water, sunscreen, and €5 for the gorge entrance.

“Firstly, our bus driver/Guide Spinoli, was outstanding, I would give him ten stars if I could. He was so knowledgeable and was a wonderful person, he really made the trip. We travelled to Imbros, after being collected exactly on time, with lots of interesting information shared on the way. We had a guide Minoli, who would travel with us along the gorge in case we needed anything, but walked independently, so we could go at our own pace. The gorge was incredible. We ended at a beautiful spot with a taverna lunch. Food was good here. Finally to a beach. We took Spinoli’s advice and had a swim, even though,…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.From Heraklion,Agia Pelagia,Malia: Samaria Gorge Guided Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 298 reviews · 12 - 14 hours · from $53

Set out before dawn from Heraklion, Malia, Agia Pelagia, and nearby resorts for a full-day Samaria Gorge hike. A mountain escort explains the route, waits at the rear, and handles your entrance and ferry tickets. Walk 17 kilometers through pine forest and rocky riverbeds, then swim or eat in Agia Roumeli before the coastal ferry.

“If like walking around new places and beautiful landscapes, then this trip it's a must. I have to admit it not easy and you should pack a lot of patience and good shoes to get through the gorge, but in the end it will all be worth it. The guide was very friendly and walked with us until the end (actually he started a bit later to be able to check on travelers who maybe had issues, but caught us close to the finish line). You shouldn't forget your sunscreen and some bottles of water. There are springs at resting spots so you can refill the bottles. You finish at…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Samaria Gorge Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 201 reviews · 17 hours · from $56

Join a multilingual guide for a full-day Samaria Gorge hike from Crete’s northern resorts. Walk roughly 15 kilometers from Xiloskalo through the White Mountains, the abandoned village of Samaria, and the Iron Gates, then swim at Agia Roumeli and take a ferry along the south coast. Bring sturdy shoes, water, sun protection, and cash for entry fees.

“The trip in Samaria Gorge was amazing. All these views were so beautiful. The road in Gorge was hard and legs hurt badly in the end, but it was worth it. I'm glad that i took this trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.From Chania/Kalyves: Full-Day Samaria Gorge Hiking Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 162 reviews · from $32

Walk the 18-kilometre Samaria Gorge from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli with an English-speaking mountain guide such as Pari or Dafne. Set your own pace, refill water at gorge springs, then swim, eat, and take the ferry to Sougia before the bus returns you to Chania or Kalyves.

“Everything was perfect and our guide Pari was excellent 👌 Definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get the best experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Sarakina Gorge, Forests, and South Coast Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 138 reviews · from $111

Ride a Land Rover Discovery through Crete’s mountain roads, visit an olive oil factory and Kritsa, walk the rocky Sarakina Gorge, eat lunch in a local taverna, and finish beside the sea. Guides such as George, Michael, Panos, and Fabrice lead groups of up to six. Bring sturdy hiking shoes for the bouldering sections.

“Had a lovely day with our guide George. We enjoyed the off road forest with pine trees, the views were amazing and it was so quiet. We went to a small village where we could look around the local shops. The Sarakina Gorge was amazing, we walked nearly to the end, there were places where there were ropes to help us up and down, but it was not too difficult using them. We went to a tavern which had lovely local food, before heading off to the coast, it was a bit cold to swim when we were there, so we had a wander around the village before heading back.…”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Imbros Gorge Guided Hike and Village Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 133 reviews · 8 hours · from $35

Travel from Chania by air-conditioned bus to Imbros Gorge for a mostly downhill 9 km walk through narrow cliffs, historic sites, and rocky trail sections. Guides such as Carolina and Ingrid share island history and manage the day, while a stop in Chora Sfakion brings time for lunch, a swim, and Venetian fortress views.

“Carolina was an excellent host. She gave lots of interesting information about the island. She was very knowledgeable friendly and helpful. There was a taverna and toilets to use before the walk. When commencing the walk the hardest part is the walk down to the ticket office. The rest of the walk is over mostly small rocks with a little scrambling required. There was a toilet (nothing special just a hole in the ground) and refreshments half way. As a family ( 13 and 8 year old) we completed Imbros Gorge walk in just over 2 hours. It was mostly shaded in the gorge for our walk in October. The…”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Samariá Gorge Full-Day Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 129 reviews · 12 hours · from $37

Join an English-speaking guide, possibly Maria or Leonidas, for a demanding 16-kilometer walk through Samaria Gorge. You’ll pass springs, forests, cliffs, and the Iron Gates, then swim in Agia Roumeli before taking the ferry to Sougia. Transport, guiding, and bus Wi-Fi are included, but park entry and the ferry cost extra.

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Samaria Gorge Hiking with transfer and expert Escort

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 125 reviews · 12 - 16 hours · from $47

You’ll hike 16 to 18 kilometers from the Omalos Plateau through Samaria Gorge, then rest at Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea before a one-hour boat ride to Hora Sfakion. Guides such as Ingrid, Nikos, Claudia, and Marcos have led this trip. Expect a long, rocky descent, an early start, and a well-organized return by bus.

“Marcos was a great guide. I was traveling alone through Greece and wanted to do this hike but did not want to do it alone for safety reasons. This tour gave me the best of both worlds. The guide follows slowly behind everyone in the group and you can hike alone (or with the people you came with) but if something happens the guide will be able to help you when he catches up to you. The hike itself is beautiful but challenging, mostly because it it downhill most of the way and very rocky. But I loved it. The bus picks you up at a central location and takes…”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Imbros Gorge & Libyan Guided Sea Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 118 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $34

Leave Rethymno around 7:30 AM for an easy, three-hour descent through Imbros Gorge, passing its narrowest point, stone arch, and rock formations. Then visit Chora Sfakion, swim in the Libyan Sea, and eat a traditional lunch. Guides speak English, French, and German, with Bea among the guides praised for clear, caring support.

“Sehr gut organisiert, von der extrem pünktlichen Abholung bis zum perfekt erklärenden Guide alles passend. Keine Beanstandung, genau wie beschrieben. Sehr gelungener Ausflug mit nahezu perfekter Organisation.”

Check availability →Read our full review