National Park
Samaria was designated a national park in 1962 and is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The White Mountains support endemic plants and wildlife, including the Cretan wild goat, or kri-kri.
← Back to Southwest CreteSamaria.
Adventure
Samaria.
The remote south.
This is the serious day: a protected national park, a long mountain descent and a finish on a coast where roads do not reach every village.
Why go
One of Crete’s defining landscapes.
Samaria Gorge cuts through the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea and has been protected as a national park since 1962. The classic crossing begins at Xyloskalo on the Omalos plateau and ends at Agia Roumeli on the south coast.
Natural & historical context
Protected nature with a lived history.
The crossing
The full visitor route to Agia Roumeli is roughly 16 km. It descends from the high plateau through forest and rock, passes the abandoned settlement of Samaria and reaches the famous narrow “Gates” before the southern exit.
Agia Roumeli
The coastal village at the exit is not connected to Crete’s road network. Access is by foot or boat, which is why ferry timing is part of the day rather than an optional detail.
What to do
Plan the logistics before the hike.
Confirm the park
Check official opening status, weather, entry rules and ferry connections before leaving Paleochora.
Hike steadily
Start early, use proper footwear, carry food and follow ranger instructions and the marked central trail.
Agia Roumeli + ferry
Swim or eat after the hike, then use the south-coast ferry connection for the onward journey.
IMPORTANTThis is not a casual sightseeing stop.
Heat, rockfall risk, weather, physical condition and ferry timing all matter. Do not rely on an old timetable or assume the gorge is open simply because it is summer.
Check before travelling
Official Samaria information
Opening status, safety restrictions and access can change. For Samaria, always use the official sources below before setting out.
IMPORTANTCheck same-day status
OFFICIAL · NECCASamaria National ParkCurrent visitor information, safety rules & ticketsCheck official status / tickets ↗
OFFICIAL · NECCAProtected Area ManagementSamaria National Park management informationOpen NECCA information ↗
OFFICIAL TOURISMVisit GreeceSamaria Gorge visitor overviewOpen official tourism guide ↗