Samaria Gorge Hike 2026: Opening Dates, Tickets & Ferry Out

The Samaria Gorge is a roughly 15 km, one-way, almost entirely downhill hike in Crete, descending from the Xyloskalo trailhead at about 1,227 m to the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli. The park authority, NECCA, gives the route as about 15 km and says the main path may be open from 10 April to 31 October, with the exact opening date set each year. The entry ticket is €10, and because Agia Roumeli can only be reached by boat you must take a ferry to Sougia or Chora Sfakion and a bus back. Allow about 6–7 hours of walking plus boat and bus connections.

Samaria is the most famous day hike in Crete and a major tourist attraction of the island. It is achievable for most reasonably fit walkers, but the one-way logistics and the relentless rocky descent catch a lot of people out. Here is everything you need to plan it for 2026.

When is the Samaria Gorge open?

Under the park regulations the main path of the Samaria Gorge may be open to visitors from 10 April to 31 October each year. The exact opening date is set annually by the park authority, NECCA, once the yearly maintenance of the path is finished; in 2025 the gorge opened on 6 May. Entry for the full route, or any part of it, is allowed between 07:00 and 13:00. After 13:00 you may only walk the first 2 km from either entrance, and everyone must be out of the park by 18:00. The gorge can also close at short notice, a decision NECCA usually takes the afternoon before. The old samaria.gr site is no longer updated, so confirm the current status on the official NECCA ticket site for Samaria National Park before you travel.

What is the best time to hike Samaria?

May, June, September and early October are the best months. Spring brings flowing streams and wildflowers, while September offers warm sea water at Agia Roumeli for a finish-line swim. July and August are walkable but brutally hot in the rocky lower gorge, so summer hikers must start at first light and carry extra water. Whatever the month, begin early: entry starts at 07:00, the bus from the central bus station in Chania to Omalos takes about 60 minutes, and an early start beats both the heat and the tour-group crowds.

How much does the Samaria Gorge cost?

The entry fee is €10 per adult, bought online or at either entrance (Xyloskalo or Agia Roumeli); children under 18 and adults over 65 enter free. On top of that, budget for the round trip from your base: the bus from Chania to Omalos, the mandatory ferry from Agia Roumeli, and a connecting bus back. Check the current bus and ferry fares with the operators before you go. Keep the additional ticket you are given at the entrance — it is checked again at the exit so the park can monitor how many people have entered and left the gorge each day.

How do you get out of Agia Roumeli?

This is the part first-timers miss: there is no road out of Agia Roumeli. From the village at the gorge exit you must take a ferry along the coast to either Sougia or Chora Sfakion, then a KTEL bus back to Chania or your base. Afternoon sailings are few: the ANENDYK timetable for 7 September to 31 October 2026 lists 17:30 as the last departure to Chora Sfakion every day and to Sougia on most days — miss it and you are stranded overnight. Check current ferry times with ANENDYK and bus times through the Chania KTEL bus service, and plan your walking pace around the boat you intend to catch.

How hard is the Samaria Gorge?

Samaria is rated moderate. There is almost no uphill — the challenge is a sustained descent of about 1,227 m over loose rocks and timber-and-stone steps that hammers your knees, ankles and feet over roughly 15 km. The narrowest point, the Gates (Portes, often called the Iron Gates), squeezes to about four metres between walls almost 300 m high. Trekking poles dramatically reduce the pounding on the downhill; our downhill technique guide and trekking poles roundup explain how to save your joints. Because it is a single day, a light daypack is all you need — the Salomon ADV Skin 12 or the larger Salomon ADV Skin 20 carry water and snacks without bouncing on the rocky path.

What will you see along the Samaria Gorge?

The walk packs a lot of scenery into about 15 km. The upper section drops steeply from Xyloskalo, and the path stays in forest for the first 7 km. Around the 7 km mark you pass the abandoned village of Samaria, left by its last inhabitants in 1962 to make way for the national park, which is a refuge for the rare kri-kri, the Cretan wild goat. From there the route follows the rocky riverbed. The undisputed highlight is the Gates, where the canyon narrows to about four metres between walls almost 300 m high. The final stretch opens onto the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli, where a swim in the sea is the traditional reward for finishing.

What should you pack for the gorge?

The essentials are water, sturdy trail shoes with grippy soles, sun protection and a swimsuit for the beach finish. The park authority says there are several springs inside the gorge where you can refill, so you do not have to carry the full day's water from the start. After the village of Samaria the path leaves the forest and follows the rocky riverbed, so a sun hat and a UPF shirt matter — see our sun hoodie guide. A compact, low-volume pack such as the Zpacks Bagger Ultra 25L is plenty for the day and keeps weight off your shoulders during the long descent. Combine the gorge with a multi-day trip and our best hikes in Greece guide shows how it pairs with Mount Olympus and the Menalon Trail.

How does Samaria compare to other Greek hikes?

The Samaria Gorge is the most accessible of Greece's signature hikes and a perfect single-day classic, but it is very different from the country's mountain and multi-day routes. Unlike Mount Olympus, which ends in an exposed scramble to the summit, Samaria involves no real climbing and no overnight — just a long descent. And unlike the village-to-village Menalon Trail, it is over in a single day with no accommodation logistics beyond the ferry. If you have time for more than one walk, the gorge pairs well with a high-summer Olympus climb or a relaxed Menalon traverse in the shoulder season, letting you sample alpine, coastal and village hiking on one 2026 trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hike the Samaria Gorge?

The park authority puts an average walk at about 6–7 hours, including stops, for the roughly 15 km from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli. The route is almost all downhill, so the time is governed by careful footing on rocky terrain rather than steep climbing. The distance is about 13 km on the main path plus about 2 km from the park's southern entrance to the village, so plan to catch the afternoon boat.

Can you hike the Samaria Gorge uphill?

You can: the park lets you start from Agia Roumeli and finish at Xyloskalo, but it means a climb of about 1,227 m with the steepest part at the end, and the park authority recommends staying overnight in Agia Roumeli and starting early in the morning. Walkers short on time can do an out-and-back from Agia Roumeli to the Gates, which are about 1.5 km from the Agia Roumeli outpost.

Is the Samaria Gorge suitable for children?

There is no age rule, but the park authority does not recommend taking small children: the path is long and rocky, and minors may only enter with an adult. Carry extra water and snacks, start early to avoid the heat, and be realistic about your child's stamina, as there is no exit until Agia Roumeli.

Do you need to book the Samaria Gorge in advance?

No, you can buy the €10 entry ticket at either entrance on the day or online through the NECCA ticket site, so no advance booking is required for the hike itself. Check your return ferry and bus connections in advance, however, as strong winds can stop the boats from sailing to and from Agia Roumeli even when the gorge is open.