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Two hikers walking along the stony riverbed between tall rock walls in Samaria Gorge

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White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Crete, Greece · Greece

Samaria Gorge trek: grade, cost & permits

A one-way walk of about 15 km (13 km of gorge plus 2 km to the village) down from the Omalos plateau to the Libyan Sea, losing 1,227 m on the way. The first 7 km zigzag steeply through pine and cypress forest to the abandoned village of Samaria; then the path follows the riverbed to the Portes ('Iron Gates'), where the walls close in to a few metres apart about 1.5 km before the southern exit. Allow 6-7 hours with stops. It is busy in high season, but the logistics are what make it different: one bus in, a boat out of a roadless village, a bus home. You can also walk up from Agia Roumeli, or just walk the first 2 km from either end in the afternoon. Our cost is per person for the ticket, buses and boat from Chania; food is extra.

Photo: Lapplaender · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · source

GradeModerate
Duration1 day
Highest point1,227 m
SeasonOnly while the national park is open: legally 10 April to 31 October, but the actual opening date is set each year by NECCA after path repairs (in 2026 it opened late, after winter storm damage). Late spring and autumn are cooler; mid-summer brings real heatstroke risk.
Cost from base₹4,000per person
BaseChania, about 1 hour by KTEL bus from the Xyloskalo trailhead at Omalos

A one-way walk of about 15 km (13 km of gorge plus 2 km to the village) down from the Omalos plateau to the Libyan Sea, losing 1,227 m on the way. The first 7 km zigzag steeply through pine and cypress forest to the abandoned village of Samaria; then the path follows the riverbed to the Portes ('Iron Gates'), where the walls close in to a few metres apart about 1.5 km before the southern exit. Allow 6-7 hours with stops. It is busy in high season, but the logistics are what make it different: one bus in, a boat out of a roadless village, a bus home. You can also walk up from Agia Roumeli, or just walk the first 2 km from either end in the afternoon. Our cost is per person for the ticket, buses and boat from Chania; food is extra.

Good for soloGood for couplesGood for groups
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Forecast for the trek's map point. It is usually colder and windier at the top.

Step 2 of 7Next: Route

The route

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On the map

Samaria Gorge · Open in Google Maps ↗

The climb

1227 m630 m525 m420 m260 m105 m0 m Start · 1227 mEnd · 0 m 1,227 m

How to reach the start

Fly into Chania. KTEL buses run from Chania bus station to Omalos/Xyloskalo every day in season (05:00, 07:45 and 08:45 on KTEL's timetable; a 2026 guide quotes about €7, ₹650). Walk down to Agia Roumeli on the south coast, which has no road. ANENDYK boats leave Agia Roumeli at 17:30 for Chora Sfakion (€17, ₹1,580) or Sougia (€17), and KTEL buses wait for the boat to take you back to Chania (from Sfakion about €9, ₹840, per the same guide). Strong winds can cancel the boats, so check ANENDYK on the day.

Directions to the trailhead ↗Open in Google Maps ↗
Step 3 of 7Next: Permits

Permits and rules

Permit: An entry ticket is mandatory, issued online through NECCA's official Samaria e-ticket portal (Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency, under Joint Ministerial Decision ΥΠΕΝ/ΔΔΦΠΒ/6396/146, Gazette B' 392/06.02.2025). Prices: individual €10 (₹930); family €6 per person; organised club groups over 10 €8 each; annual pass €25; free for under-18s, over-65s and other listed groups with ID. Free for everyone on 21 March, 21 May and 5 June. Walking in without a valid ticket risks a fine of ten times the ticket price.
GuideNot needed
Seasonal closureSeasonal: open at most 10 April to 31 October, exact opening set yearly by NECCA. Daily entry 07:00-13:00 for the full crossing; everyone must be out by 18:00. NECCA can close it with a day's notice or on the day for storms, wind, heat or fire risk. As of 11 October 2026 the NECCA portal says the gorge is closed from both entrances until further notice, pending inspections, so it may not reopen before the 2026 season ends on 31 October.
Travel adviceNo FCDO warning against travel to Greece. FCDO flags high wildfire risk April-October and extreme heat; lighting fires is illegal.

Official permit or booking page ↗

Rules change. Check the park office or official booking system before you travel.

Step 4 of 7Next: Gear

What to carry

Step 5 of 7Next: Cost

What it costs

Your group, from the base₹8,000
Couple · from Chania, about 1 hour by KTEL bus from the Xyloskalo trailhead at Omalos
Per person₹4,000

Covers local transport, permits or entry, a guide where needed and food on the trail. Getting to Chania is extra.

Step 6 of 7Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How hard is the Samaria Gorge trek?

Moderate grade. It takes 1 day and climbs to about 1,227 m. A one-way walk of about 15 km (13 km of gorge plus 2 km to the village) down from the Omalos plateau to the Libyan Sea, losing 1,227 m on the way. The first 7 km zigzag steeply through pine and cypress forest to the abandoned village of Samaria; then the path follows the riverbed to the Portes ('Iron Gates'), where the walls close in to a few metres apart about 1.5 km before the southern exit. Allow 6-7 hours with stops. It is busy in high season, but the logistics are what make it different: one bus in, a boat out of a roadless village, a bus home. You can also walk up from Agia Roumeli, or just walk the first 2 km from either end in the afternoon. Our cost is per person for the ticket, buses and boat from Chania; food is extra.

Do I need a permit for Samaria Gorge?

An entry ticket is mandatory, issued online through NECCA's official Samaria e-ticket portal (Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency, under Joint Ministerial Decision ΥΠΕΝ/ΔΔΦΠΒ/6396/146, Gazette B' 392/06.02.2025). Prices: individual €10 (₹930); family €6 per person; organised club groups over 10 €8 each; annual pass €25; free for under-18s, over-65s and other listed groups with ID. Free for everyone on 21 March, 21 May and 5 June. Walking in without a valid ticket risks a fine of ten times the ticket price.

How do I reach the Samaria Gorge trek?

Fly into Chania. KTEL buses run from Chania bus station to Omalos/Xyloskalo every day in season (05:00, 07:45 and 08:45 on KTEL's timetable; a 2026 guide quotes about €7, ₹650). Walk down to Agia Roumeli on the south coast, which has no road. ANENDYK boats leave Agia Roumeli at 17:30 for Chora Sfakion (€17, ₹1,580) or Sougia (€17), and KTEL buses wait for the boat to take you back to Chania (from Sfakion about €9, ₹840, per the same guide). Strong winds can cancel the boats, so check ANENDYK on the day. Base: Chania, about 1 hour by KTEL bus from the Xyloskalo trailhead at Omalos.

What is the best season for Samaria Gorge?

Only while the national park is open: legally 10 April to 31 October, but the actual opening date is set each year by NECCA after path repairs (in 2026 it opened late, after winter storm damage). Late spring and autumn are cooler; mid-summer brings real heatstroke risk..

How much does the Samaria Gorge trek cost?

From about ₹4,000 per person from the base, covering local transport, permits or entry, a guide where required and food. The journey to the base is extra.

What should I carry?

Proper hiking shoes (NECCA strongly recommends mountain footwear: after km 7 the path is a rocky riverbed with stream crossings), sun hat, sunscreen, food for the day (there are no shops inside), and a bottle to refill at the springs along the way. Bring any medication you need.

Step 7 of 7Next: Sources

Sources and last check

Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.

  • samaria-tickets.necca.gov.gr OfficialMandatory ticket and legal basis; price table (€10 individual, €8 group >10, €6 family, €25 annual, free categories); free days 21 Mar/21 May/5 Jun; 10 Apr-31 Oct window with yearly opening decision; hours 07:00-13:00, exit by 18:00; ~13 km + 2 km; 1,227 m to 0 m; 6-7 h; rocky riverbed after km 7; Portes 1.5 km from Agia Roumeli outpost; Agia Roumeli by boat only; KTEL bus ~60 min; unplanned closures; closed 'until further notice' notice as of 11 Oct 2026
  • necca.gov.gr OfficialNECCA management unit for Samaria; ticket requirement
  • gov.uk OfficialNo advise-against areas; wildfire risk April-October; hiking-in-heat advice
  • e-ktel.comKTEL timetable: Chania-Xyloskalo 05:00, 07:45, 08:45; ANENDYK boats 17:30 from Agia Roumeli; buses Chora Sfakion-Chania 18:30 and Sougia-Chania 18:15 after the ferry
  • anendyk.grAgia Roumeli-Hora Sfakion adult €17 (return €25); Agia Roumeli-Sougia adult €17; Agia Roumeli-Loutro €14
  • crete.directKTEL Chania-Omalos €7 one-way and Sfakia-Chania €9 (19 July 2026); its €5 entry and €12 ferry figures conflict with the official sources and were not used
  • crete.directDescent of about 600 m in the first ~3 km (used for profile point 2)
  • tovima.com2026 season: gorge did not open on 1 May after winter storm damage near Portes; reopening only after repairs and safety inspections

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 11 October 2026 · Photo: Lapplaender · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · source · Photo: C messier · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Thomas Dahlstrøm Nielsen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Luu · Public domain · source · Photo: Maesi64 · CC0 · source

From the base · —
Cost