16 km Samaria Gorge hike from Rethymno: Self-paced canyon walk

Walk through Europe's longest canyon in a single day, from plateau to sea.

A self-paced 16 km hike through Samaria Gorge, Europe's longest canyon, departing from Rethymno with air-conditioned transport, insurance and a detailed map. You walk at your own pace down 1,140 meters through a UNESCO-protected National Park, spot rare Cretan wild goats, pass through the Iron Gates (a 3-meter-wide narrows), refill at mountain springs, then swim and eat lunch in the coastal village of Agia Roumeli before returning by boat and bus in the late afternoon. The hike takes 5 to 6 hours. The full day runs about 13 hours from pickup to drop-off. An English or Greek-speaking guide leads the group.

The experience

How do you know if you can handle a 16 km canyon hike in one day? The Samaria Gorge answers that question by letting you set the pace. You start with a drive up to the Omalos Plateau at 1,140 meters, then descend through the gorge on foot at whatever speed suits you: some hikers finish in five hours, others take six. The canyon walls rise 350 meters above, and the trail passes through shaded forest canopy and opens onto dramatic rock faces. You'll refill your water bottle at natural mountain springs along the way and keep an eye out for the Cretan Kri-Kri, a rare wild goat that lives only on this island.

The most famous section is the Iron Gates, where the gorge narrows to just 3 meters wide and the walls close in overhead. After that, the trail leads directly downhill to Agia Roumeli, a small coastal village where you can swim in the Libyan Sea and eat lunch at a local taverna. There's no rush. You have the afternoon to cool off and rest. In the late afternoon, a boat takes you along the southern coastline to Chora Sfakion, where your bus waits for the drive back to Rethymno. The whole day is structured around the hike itself. Everything else (the transport, the map, the insurance) is arranged so you can focus on the walk.

Pickup is included from Rethymno, and you'll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The entrance fee to the gorge is 10 euros, paid separately. If you take the boat the long way along the coast (rather than the direct route), that costs an additional 15 euros for adults, 7 euros for children aged 5 to 12. Lunch and personal expenses are on you.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle pickup from Rethymno.
• detailed map of the gorge.
• insurance coverage.
• English or Greek-speaking guide.
• boat ride from Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 May 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years): free · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 32 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 25

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bali Travel

Is this one for you?The 5 to 6 hour hike is self-paced, so you walk at your own speed and stop to rest whenever you need to. This suits anyone who wants the full Samaria experience without a fixed schedule pushing them along. The early start and long day mean you'll be on your feet for most of it, so come ready to walk downhill for hours and swim afterward to recover.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years): free; Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the actual hike through Samaria Gorge?

The hike itself takes 5 to 6 hours to walk the 16 kilometers down from the Omalos Plateau to Agia Roumeli. The full day, including the drive up, the boat ride back, and the return to Rethymno, runs about 13 hours total.

What is the Iron Gates section of Samaria Gorge like?

The Iron Gates is the narrowest part of the canyon, where the gorge squeezes down to just 3 meters wide and the rock walls tower directly overhead. It's a dramatic passage but not technical. You walk through it on the main trail at your own pace.

Can I swim after the hike in Agia Roumeli?

Yes. Once you reach Agia Roumeli at the end of the hike, you have time to swim in the Libyan Sea and eat lunch at a local taverna before the boat departs in the late afternoon.

What wildlife might I see on the hike?

The Cretan Kri-Kri, a rare wild goat found only on Crete, lives in the Samaria Gorge. Spotting one is not guaranteed, but they inhabit the canyon and hikers often see them on the cliffs or trail.

Is the hike guided or self-paced?

You walk at your own pace through the canyon. A guide in English or Greek leads the group and is there to answer questions, but you set your own speed and can rest whenever you need to.

What is included in the tour price?

Pickup from Rethymno in an air-conditioned vehicle, a detailed map of the gorge, and insurance coverage are included. The 10-euro entrance fee to the National Park is paid separately, as is lunch and any boat ticket upgrade.