Samaria National Park

Samaria National Park is a protected area on the island of Crete centred on the Samaria Gorge, one of Europe’s longest and most famous gorges, with the principal trail often cited as about 16 km in length. The park protects steep limestone cliffs, endemic plants and the Cretan wild goat, and is a major trekking destination on Crete.

Hiking through the gorge is the park’s primary attraction; the route typically starts at the Omalos plateau and descends to the seaside village of Agia Roumeli, where ferries connect hikers to other coastal points. The gorge contains dramatic narrow passages such as the “Iron Gates,” where the rock walls close to roughly 3 metres apart.

The area was designated as a national park in the 1960s to safeguard its ecosystems and geological features, and over time visitor management and trail infrastructure have been developed to accommodate seasonal hiking traffic. The park is located in southwestern Crete, with the city of Chania serving as the nearest major urban centre for access and services.

• Iron Gates: The narrowest section of the gorge, known as the "Iron Gates," narrows to only about 3 metres across and is one of the park's most photographed spots.
• Hiking season and logistics: Main hiking season runs from late spring to early autumn; many hikers take organized transfers to Omalos for the descent and then a ferry from Agia Roumeli onward.
• Conservation status: The park was established in the 1960s to protect the gorge's unique flora and fauna, including the wild Cretan goat (Capra aegagrus cretica), locally known as the kri-kri.

What to See #

• Samaria Gorge: A deep mountain gorge carved through the White Mountains of western Crete featuring the principal hiking route that descends from the Omalos plateau to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli; the full gorge trail is commonly cited as about 16 km long.
• Omalos plateau (trailhead): The Omalos plateau, which serves as the main trailhead on the highland side and provides access roads, parking and the starting point for most organized hikes into the gorge.
• Agia Roumeli (southern exit): The coastal exit at Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, which marks the lower end of the gorge trail and provides ferry connections to nearby coastal villages and ports.