The largest, most imposing and most beautiful gorge, not only in Chania but in the whole of Europe, is that of Samaria. That is why it is the best known internationally and the most visited, since over three hundred thousand nature lovers are lucky enough to cross it every year. It is a wonderful landscape, with rare geomorphic formations. A unique habitat with a unique wealth of flora and fauna and a rich mythology that reaches back to prehistoric times and a turbulent history during the difficult years for Crete. It was declared a National Forest of the White Mountains of Crete in the year 1962 and until then in the village of Samaria, in the center of the gorge, two or three families of Sfakians still lived, mainly engaged in animal husbandry and logging. An area of 48 was then covered.
The length of its route, within the borders of the Forest, is 12,800 kilometers and then the distance to the coastal town of Agia Roumeli is another 3,200 kilometers. Its crossing, with a fast walk, can be done in five hours or less, but it is preferable not to do it in less than 6 to 8 hours to allow the comfortable enjoyment of its incomparable beauty. The main species of its fauna is the world-famous Cretan Capra (CAPRA AEGAGRUS CRETICA), an unimaginably beautiful and Levantine animal, which has now been saved and lives freely only in this gorge and the three parallel ones of Samaria. Among the flora, the centuries-old huge Cypresses are famous, which since ancient times were used for shipbuilding, and by the Minoans for the columns of the palaces of Knossos, etc. In total there are 450 species of Cretan flora in the gorge, of which 70 are endemic, i.e. they grow only in it. It has many narrows that have been called "gates" but the narrowest, the "Iron Gate" is only three meters wide while the vertical height on either side reaches from 300 to 700 meters. In many places you cross over the river of the canyon with small wooden bridges. In ancient times there were well-known sanctuaries and oracles in the gorge, and in the place of Agia Roumeli the ancient city of TARA, in which part of the temple of Apollo is still preserved the "Iron Gate" is only three meters wide while the vertical height on either side reaches from 300 to 700 meters. In many places you cross over the river of the canyon with small wooden bridges. In ancient times there were well-known sanctuaries and oracles in the gorge, and in the place of Agia Roumeli the ancient city of TARA, in which part of the temple of Apollo is still preserved the "Iron Gate" is only three meters wide while the vertical height on either side reaches from 300 to 700 meters. In many places you cross over the river of the canyon with small wooden bridges. In ancient times there were well-known sanctuaries and oracles in the gorge, and in the place of Agia Roumeli the ancient city of TARA, in which part of the temple of Apollo is still preserved
It can be visited usually from May 1 to the end of October, unless there are difficult weather conditions. There are outposts of the State Service (Forestry), at the entrance of the Gorge, in the settlement of Samaria and at the exit of the Forest. The gorge also provides doctor services. There is also a heliport in Agia Roumeli.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
