Discover the Samaria Gorge: the Longest Gorge in Europe

Conquering the most spectacular gorge in Greek Isles.

Photo by Adrien Antal on Unsplash

Samaria Gorge, the longest gorge in Europe, is not only picturesque. It is also overwhelmingly ranked as the best day hike in all of the Greek Isles. You see in the picture above, with the towering granite walls and its amazing ruggedness. At its narrowest, this gorge is even narrower, and is almost a slot canyon. Naturally, this is a must-do adventure for any nature lover who loves to hike.

This hike is located in the only national park at Crete, the largest islands among Greek Isles, called White Mountain National Park. This adventure starts at the small outpost of Xyloskalo on the top of the mountain, then you hike down and through the gorge, and end at the beach side village of Agia Roumeli.

Important tip — You arrive at Xyloskalo, and the entrance to the gorge/national park is right down the parking lot (there is only one parking lot there, which is where the bus will drop you off). After you bought the entrance ticket, keep this ticket since you will need to show this receipt to the clerk again when you exit the national park at the end of the hike.