CRETE TRAVEL GUIDE

Crete Travel Guide
Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge, which cuts its way through the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) from the Omalos Plateau to the
Libyan Sea, is one of the most striking areas of natural beauty in Greece. Peaks soar on both sides of the gorge,
flanked by pine woods and wildflower meadows. Beginning 1,250 m (4,100 ft) above sea level, it emerges on
the coast close to the little village of Agia Roumeli after passing through the narrow Sideresportes or “Iron Gates”.
Top 10 Sights
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1 Xyloskalo
The zig-zag path down
through the gorge is called
the Xyloskalo. The toughest
part plummets a breathtaking
1,000 m (3,300 ft) in little
more than 2 km (1 mile),
passing through pine and
cypress woods along the
way.
Gigilos and Volakia Peaks
Above the Xyloskalo to the west, the skyline is
dominated by the massive peaks of Gingilos and Volakia.
These mountaintops may remain snow covered well into
early summer when the temperatures at sea level are
scorching.
3
Neroutsiko and Riza Sikias
The springs of Neroutsiko and Riza Sikias meet at
the foot of the Xyloskalo. In winter they form a fierce
torrent that makes the gorge impassable, but in summer
they dry to a trickle.
4
Church of Agios Nikolaos
Not far from the foot of the Xyloskalo and the
springs, the tiny, roughly built chapel of Agios Nikolaos
stands in the shade of pine and cypress trees, next to
an official rest area.
5 Samaria
The last dwellers in the gorge abandoned this village
in 1962 when the area was designated a national park.
The ghostly cottages have become ever more derelict.
6
Osia Maria
Dwarfed by steep cliffs, the small church of Osia
Maria contains 14th-century frescoes and lends its name
to the village of Samaria and to the gorge itself.
7 Sideresportes
Near the shrine of Afendis Christos, the gorge
narrows to just 3 m (9 ft) of space separating rocky walls
that rise 700 m (over 2,000 ft).
8
Tarra (Old Agia Roumeli)
A crumbling Turkish fort, a ruined Venetian church
and a few tumbledown cottages are all that remain of
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the old village of Agia Roumeli. Below these ruins lies
the site of the small Hellenistic city state of Tarra.
9
New Agia Roumeli
The inhabitants of Agia Roumeli abandoned their
village in the 1960s, intent on a new location by the sea.
The new village has since grown into a cheerful string
of tavernas and guesthouses spread out along a single
street.
10
Agios Pavlos Beach
Just east of Agia Roumeli, Agios Pavlos beach is a
long, uncrowded stretch of pebbles. It is named after
the tiny chapel here dedicated to St Paul.
Samaria Gorge
Practical information
• Map C4
• Gorge open May–mid-Oct, 7am–7pm daily
• Forest Guardhouse, Xiloskalo
• (28210) 67179
• Forest Guardhouse, Agia Roumeli
• (28250) 91254
• Admission charge €3.50
• Keep your datestamped ticket, which you must
hand in at the Agia Roumeli gate as you leave
Top tips
• Though fit walkers can complete the 11-mile
(17-km) trek in about five hours, it is best to allow
eight, including a break of at least an hour. Rest in
the hottest part of the day in summer.
• Take plenty of water – at least one litre per
person.There are designated rest areas where you
can picnic in the shade, and at Agia Roumeli there
are small tavernas for your recuperation.
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Top 10