The 8 Samaria Gorge Hikes in Chania That Earn Their Price

1.Full-Day Samaria Gorge Trek Excursion & Guide

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

You’ll hike 17 rocky kilometers through Samaria Gorge with an English-speaking guide, then rest, swim, or eat in Agia Roumeli before a coastal ferry and bus return. Guides such as Sara and Christina help with pacing and safety, but you need strong shoes and good fitness.

“The tour guide and transportation were great! The gorge itself has too many people. Often, the foot path is only wide enough for one person. With so many people on the paths, some fast, some slow, it kind of sucks. Also, the bathrooms suck. For the amount of money the gorge park takes in, improve the lousy bathrooms.”

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2.Samariá Gorge Guided Hike with Pickup

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

Join an English-speaking guide such as Ingrid, Nikos, or George for Samaria Gorge’s rocky 16-kilometer descent. Pickup, bus transport, ferry tickets, and the €10 park entrance are separate. Walk at your own pace, then swim at Agia Roumeli before sailing to Sougia.

“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.”

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3.Samaria Gorge with Professional Hiking Guide

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

Join an English-speaking guide and comfortable coach from Chania for the 16 km Samaria Gorge hike. Walk past the Iron Gates, refill water at springs, then swim and eat at Agia Roumeli before a scenic boat ride to Sougia. Guides such as Ingrid, Nikos, and Dimitris help keep the long day organized.

“I try think it would be better to write hidden costs of entry fee and ferry in description prior to paying. I would have still gone”

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4.Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania with Professional Hiking Guide

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

Join a guided day trip from Chania to Samaria Gorge, descending rocky trails from Omalos to Agia Roumeli. Guides such as Ingrid, Nicos, and Sylvia help with timing and safety, while your bus, ferry, and beach stop turn this strenuous hike into a full Crete adventure.

“Amazing experience! Our tour guide Ingrid was very informative, friendly and safe conscious. Would highly recommend! Note: If you have any questions, CALL Viator or Tour directly.”

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5.Full-Day Samaria Gorge Hiking Day Trip

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

Join Io Tours for a 14-hour Samaria Gorge day trip from Chania or Kalyves. Guides such as Pari and Dafne lead you through an 18-kilometre gorge at your own pace, then you get time for lunch and a swim in Agia Roumeli before the ferry and bus ride home.

“Incredible hike, challenging and hot but very picturesque. Dafne the guide was great. Clear instructions, earned trust quickly. Wear very sturdy shoes, preferably hiking boots. Steep descent of 1,700m isn’t kind to the fittest of legs/ankles. Lots of scree, uneven ground, small river crossings and rock hopping. Plenty of clean spring water, rest areas and toilets on the way. Food at the end was incredible. Pack snacks, lunch as there is no food during the hike. Most of the hike is in shade and there was a coolish breeze comi n up the gorge which was refreshing. Agia Roumelli beach where you finish isn’t the nicest of Crete beaches but…”

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6.Full-Day Samaria Gorge Chania Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 91 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $36

Start before sunrise from Chania, ride to Omalos, and hike 16 kilometers through Samaria Gorge National Park. Guides such as Sara, Christina, Thomas, and Nikos help with timing and trail advice, while the tour handles the bus and ferry connections. Bring sturdy shoes, snacks, and money for extra fees.

“Such a beautiful gorge. You get lots of information about the gorge on the route to the starting point. Breakfast at the plateau, toilet break and then you commence the downwards hike. It's so convenient having the coach drop you off and pick you up. The end point isn't accessible by car so this is the only real way to do it unless you want to spend 5 hours walking back up at the hottest part of the day.”

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7.Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Rethymno with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $38

Leave Rethymno early for Omalos and walk 16 kilometers through Samaria Gorge, with a guide such as George, Pia, Jorgos, or Ingrid nearby. The descent takes about 5 to 7 hours, followed by lunch or a swim in Agia Roumeli and a ferry to Sfakia.

“Trekking in Samaria Gorge is tiring but definitely worth every minute. It took us around 7 hours to walk down the gorge but we stopped often to take photos because the view is really amazing. You should wear comforable shoes with non-slippery soles because the steps and stones can be very slippery. A water bottle is necessary and luckily you can refill it from the several springs during the hike. The bus arrived on time and managed to keep the schedule the whole day. Our guide (Jorgos) was very kind and helpful all day. He checked on the tourists from time to time and asked if we had any questions,…”

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8.Private Roundtrip Transfer from Chania to Samaria Gorge Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $86Top rated

Travel privately from your Chania hotel to Samaria Gorge with an English-speaking driver such as Demetrios or Demetris. Hike at your own pace, swim at Agia Roumeli, take the ferry to Chora Sfakion, then return directly to your hotel.

“Fantastic experience. Our driver arrived on time and was extremely professional and nice. We arrived right as the gorge opened and avoided the buses and crowds. We were picked up after the hike in Sfakia (note: admission to the park and ferry tickets are not included - make sure you book ferry tickets) and promptly returned to our Airbnb.”

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