The Samaria Gorge (Φαράγγι Σαμαριάς) is the largest and best known of Crete’s many gorges. A hike though the 13-kilometer (8-mile) length of the gorge will take an entire day when you include travel to and from the trailhead. This is a hike, so be sure you have good hiking shoes or boots, and be prepared to be walking downhill on loose rocks for most of the trail. Most hikers start at the top of the gorge at Omalos (Ομαλός) and come out on a beach on the south coast. Excursion companies will take you by bus to the trailhead, pick you up by boat on the beach, and then return you to your starting point by bus again. But you don’t need to hike the gorge to enjoy it. You can view the gorge from the trailhead at Omalos without entering the gorge itself. Find information about the Samaria Gorge here.
If you aren’t hiking the gorge but just want to take a peek at where the trail through the gorge begins, you might also enjoy spending a bit of time in Omalos, a small village about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the entrance to the Samaria Gorge. Sited on a large plateau, the village has tavernas and serves as a point of departure for treks across the plateau and beyond and provides access to the many cave systems in the area. Access information about Omalos here.
Consider returning to Gavalochori through the village of Prases (Πρασές), located in a chestnut-growing region of Crete. It sits astride the old highway between Chania and Sougia (Σούγια) and, although tiny, it has two tavernas. During chestnut season (late fall and winter), the tavernas offer an array of dishes that incorporate chestnuts. Traveling back to Gavalochori using this highway will take more time but will introduce you to very different and beautiful scenery. Information about Prases can be found here.
The Samaria Gorge (Φαράγγι Σαμαριάς) is the largest and best known of Crete’s many gorges. A hike though the 13-kilometer (8-mile) length of the gorge will take an entire day when you include travel to and from the trailhead. This is a hike, so be sure you have good hiking shoes or boots, and be prepared to be walking downhill on loose rocks for most of the trail. Most hikers start at the top of the gorge at Omalos (Ομαλός) and come out on a beach on the south coast. Excursion companies will take you by bus to the trailhead, pick you up by boat on the beach, and then return you to your starting point by bus again. But you don’t need to hike the gorge to enjoy it. You can view the gorge from the trailhead at Omalos without entering the gorge itself. Find information about the Samaria Gorge here.
If you aren’t hiking the gorge but just want to take a peek at where the trail through the gorge begins, you might also enjoy spending a bit of time in Omalos, a small village about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the entrance to the Samaria Gorge. Sited on a large plateau, the village has tavernas and serves as a point of departure for treks across the plateau and beyond and provides access to the many cave systems in the area. Access information about Omalos here.
Consider returning to Gavalochori through the village of Prases (Πρασές), located in a chestnut-growing region of Crete. It sits astride the old highway between Chania and Sougia (Σούγια) and, although tiny, it has two tavernas. During chestnut season (late fall and winter), the tavernas offer an array of dishes that incorporate chestnuts. Traveling back to Gavalochori using this highway will take more time but will introduce you to very different and beautiful scenery. Information about Prases can be found here.
