Greece
Samaria Gorge
Sixteen kilometres of vertical canyon walls narrow to four metres at the Iron Gates.
Sixteen kilometres of vertical canyon walls, the path dropping from the Omalos plateau at 1,220 metres to the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli. At the Iron Gates the walls close to three and a half metres, three hundred metres of rock on either side, and you walk through a gap that is the narrowest non-slot canyon section in Europe.
The Samaria Gorge runs 16 kilometres from the Omalos plateau to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli, descending over 1,200 metres in 4-6 hours. The Iron Gates (Sideroportes) narrow to 3.5 metres with walls 300 metres high — the narrowest such section in Europe. The abandoned village of Samaria, evacuated in 1962 when the national park was established, stands along the trail with its ruined church and stone houses. The Cretan wild goat (kri-kri), saved from extinction by the park, is regularly seen on the cliff faces above the trail.
Solo
Starting at dawn before the crowds, the Iron Gates in early-morning shadow, and the sense of achievement at Agia Roumeli.
Friends
The full descent as a group challenge, spotting kri-kri on the cliffs, and collapsing into the Agia Roumeli tavernas for cold beer and fish.
- The gorge runs 16 kilometres from the Omalos plateau at 1,220 metres to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli — the descent takes 4-6 hours.
- The Iron Gates (Sideroportes) are 3.5 metres wide with walls 300 metres high on either side — the narrowest non-slot canyon section in Europe.
- The gorge passes the abandoned village of Samaria, evacuated in 1962 when the national park was established — the ruined stone houses and church are visible from the path.
- The Cretan wild goat (kri-kri) was saved from extinction by the national park — herds of 10-20 animals are regularly seen on the cliff faces above the trail.
Cold water from mountain springs halfway through the gorge, then collapse into Agia Roumeli's tavernas for fish.
Lamb chops and village salad at the end of the hike, salt-crusted and ravenous, watching the Libyan Sea.
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