Samaria Gorge 16km Hiking Tour with Guide from Chania

Walk a river canyon from mountain plateau to Cretan sea

A full-day guided hike through Samaria Gorge, one of Europe's longest canyons, starting from Chania with pickup and drop-off included. You walk the 16km trail from Ksyloskalo down through the gorge's river bed to Agia Roumeli, then take a ferry back to the port and return by bus. The guide speaks English and Greek; the gorge entrance fee and ferry are paid on the bus in cash.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike Samaria Gorge and return

• Start hike at Ksyloskalo, Omalos plateau
• Follow trail through Samaria Gorge
• Arrive at Agia Roumeli village
• Swim and optional lunch in Agia Roumeli
• Board ferry to Sougia or Sfakia
• Bus transfer from port to Chania hotels

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Chania hotel and a drive to Ksyloskalo, the trailhead on the Omalos plateau at 1,227 meters. From there the trail follows the river bed downward through the canyon for 16 kilometers, passing through narrow passageways and under soaring cliffs. The path is well-marked with signals and signs, mostly stone and soil underfoot, and hundreds of people walk it daily during the May-to-October season. It is not considered a strenuous hike — the landscape changes as you descend, and the environment shifts from high plateau to canyon floor.

By afternoon you reach Agia Roumeli, a village at the gorge's mouth accessible only on foot or by boat. There is free time to swim in the cool waters and eat lunch at one of the local taverns (at your own cost). The village sits between wild mountains and a pebble beach on the Libyan Sea, with a genuine Cretan character and a quiet, isolated feel.

At 17:30 you board a ferry — usually heading to Sougia — and the guide provides your ticket on the bus. When you reach the port, the bus is waiting to drive you back to Chania and your hotel. The whole day runs about 14 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Chania hotel.
• air-conditioned bus transportation to and from the trailhead.
• a professional guide speaking English and Greek.
• ferry ticket from Agia Roumeli back to the port.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Io Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to walk the full canyon with a guide managing the logistics and the ferry home — the group size stays manageable, and you avoid arranging transport to the trailhead or figuring out the boat schedule yourself.

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Top questions

How long does it take to walk through Samaria Gorge?

The 16-kilometer trail from Ksyloskalo to Agia Roumeli takes most hikers most of the day. The full tour, including pickup, the hike, ferry and return drive, runs about 14 hours from your hotel.

What is the Ksyloskalo trailhead like?

Ksyloskalo sits on the Omalos plateau at 1,227 meters altitude and is where the Samaria Gorge trail begins. From there the path descends through the canyon following the river bed for the full 16 kilometers to the sea.

Can I swim in Agia Roumeli?

Yes. When you reach Agia Roumeli at the end of the hike, you have free time to swim in the sea before boarding the ferry back. The village has a pebble beach on the Libyan Sea.

What does the tour include and what do I pay extra for?

Pickup and drop-off from your Chania hotel, bus transportation, a professional guide speaking English and Greek, and the ferry ticket are all included. You pay the gorge entrance fee (10 euros for adults over 13) and the ferry fare (14 euros for adults, 7 euros for children under 12) in cash on the bus. Lunch in Agia Roumeli is optional and at your own cost.

Is this hike difficult?

Samaria Gorge is not considered a very difficult hike. The trail is well-maintained with clear signals, and hundreds of people walk it daily. It is described as a pleasant hike with many landscape changes rather than a strenuous one, and it is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

How do I get back to Chania after reaching Agia Roumeli?

At 17:30 you board a ferry from Agia Roumeli, usually heading to Sougia. Your guide provides the ferry ticket on the bus. When the ferry reaches the port, the tour bus is waiting to drive you back to Chania and your hotel.