Activity

Samariá Gorge

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Trail photos

Photo ofSamariá Gorge Photo ofSamariá Gorge Photo ofSamariá Gorge

Author

FullerRL
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Trail stats

Distance
12.97 mi
Elevation gain
6,837 ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Elevation loss
9,760 ft
Max elevation
4,060 ft
TrailRank 
37
Min elevation
-28 ft
Trail type
One Way
Moving time
5 hours 8 minutes
Time
8 hours 2 minutes
Coordinates
3299
Uploaded
June 6, 2023
Recorded
June 2023
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near Samariá, Crete (Greece)

Viewed 21 times, downloaded 3 times

Trail photos

Photo ofSamariá Gorge Photo ofSamariá Gorge Photo ofSamariá Gorge

Itinerary description

Well maintained often crowded trail. Rocky with a steady decline. Fantastic views down to the famous Iron Gates then it is just okay. Used tour company to arrange transportation. Expert hikers may want to hike to the Iron Gates then turnaround and go back uphill for a challenging 20 mile hike. This would avoid headaches with the ferry and buses (which added 3+ hours of waiting and drinking beer).

Waypoints

PictographIntersection Altitude 4,158 ft
Photo ofUpper Entrance

Upper Entrance

Parking lot nearby. Often a cue to get tickets. A ticket to enter, another to hand in at lower entrance.

PictographPhoto Altitude 4,116 ft
Photo ofTrail Map

Trail Map

Several places with WCs and places to fill with famous mineral water. Bring 1 small bottle to fill.

PictographPhoto Altitude 3,697 ft
Photo ofPine Tree Forest View Platform

Pine Tree Forest View Platform

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,106 ft
Photo ofAgios Nicholas Chapel

Agios Nicholas Chapel

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,955 ft
Photo ofWater Crossing

Water Crossing

First of several crossings. Easy to hop on rocks without getting wet.

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,153 ft
Photo ofGorge Bottom

Gorge Bottom

River is usually underground at this point. It will reappear later.

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,084 ft
Photo ofBridge / Resting Stop

Bridge / Resting Stop

Crossing over to the abandoned town of Samaria. Major resting stop with WC, water, picnic tables, benches in shade.

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,069 ft
Photo ofRuins of Samaria Town

Ruins of Samaria Town

PictographPhoto Altitude 757 ft
Photo ofNarrow Gorge Scene

Narrow Gorge Scene

Not the famous Iron Gates, but I think is more scenic photo.

PictographPhoto Altitude 648 ft
Photo ofSmall Bridge Crossing

Small Bridge Crossing

River is bigger so there are small bridges like this to make crossings easy.

PictographPhoto Altitude 469 ft
Photo ofChristos Rest Station

Christos Rest Station

Last WC area before exit.

PictographPhoto Altitude 393 ft
Photo ofIron Gates

Iron Gates

Famous narrowest part of the canyon. If you are a slow hiker or start late, there may be a cue to go through.

PictographPhoto Altitude 331 ft
Photo ofLarger bridge crossing

Larger bridge crossing

PictographIntersection Altitude 314 ft
Photo ofCheckout / Lower Park Entrance

Checkout / Lower Park Entrance

Hand in ticket. You are not done. Either take a shuttle bus into town or continue hiking into town. Road is as rough as the trail.

PictographPhoto Altitude 189 ft
Photo ofRoad to town

Road to town

PictographIntersection Altitude 99 ft
Photo ofBeginning of town

Beginning of town

Many tavernas to have a beer or a meal while waiting for the ferry to Souga

PictographPhoto Altitude 21 ft
Photo ofKiosk to get ferry tickets

Kiosk to get ferry tickets

Only one ferry to Souga that was at scheduled for 5:30. A lot of time to relax or eat while waiting.

Comments

    You can or this trail