2. General information
The Samaria Gorge is located in
Crete, in the southern part of the
prefecture of Chania. Its length is 18
km and is perhaps the longest gorge
in Europe after the Verdon Gorge in
France. It is a National Park of
Greece it in 1962 and is home to
many endemic species of birds and
animals, the most famous of which is
the Cretan wild goat known as the ibex. The name comes
from the abandoned village of Samaria, which in turn
owes its name to the church of Saint Mary. During the
Ottoman rule was hiding rebels and local people. Since
2010 is part of the World Network of Biosphere
Reserves of UNESCO.
The canyon is one of the major attractions of Crete
drawing many thousands of tourists who want to cross
walking the route of 18 km from Smooth to Agia
Roumeli.
The nature in Samaria
The flora and fauna in the National Park of Samaria is
extremely rich. In the gorge you will meet unique species
of plants and animals protected by international
conventions.
3. Reported that the gorge
there are 450 plant species
and in accordance with the
law are not allowed to
remove anything from the
site of Samaria, even a
flower. Do not view it as a
strict law, but as the only way to protect the fragile
ecosystem of Samaria to continue to admire thousands of
visitors each year.
In Samaria you can admire the forest with huge pines and
cypresses, a picture
from the past of Crete,
when the island was
covered by forests
famous for their good
quality wood, perfect
for boats made strong.
Kri-Kri gorge SamariasMesa the canyon is not
impossible to meet their famous inhabitants, the wild
goats of Crete, what the locals call "wild beasts" and
tourists "Kri - Kri".
The goat is a species endemic to Crete and most likely to
come across some in the village of Samaria, and often
close to the last houses of the village.
4. The village of Samaria
The village of
Samaria is located
just before the middle
of the gorge and was
evacuated in 1962,
when it proclaimed
the creation of Nat.
Forest. The old
houses still exist and are used by the park rangers.
The Samaria village is a good opportunity to admire the
traditional Cretan architecture.
It is also a resting point about midway.
Just below the village is the church of Saint Mary (14th
century), from which comes the name Samaria.
The path of Samaria
The path in Samaria is excellently marked throughout its
length and is considered the most walked path across
Greece (second is the path to Olympus).
5. Right see the map of Samaria,
which is printed on the back of the
ticket you purchase at the entrance
of farangiou. I Samaria cannot be
called a simple walk for those not
familiar with the hike.
The most tedious part of the
journey is the last 3 km. after you
exit from the National Park.
The landscape after leaving the
gorge is dry, with no shade. If
you start early in the morning
walking, you will reach this point
early in the afternoon, when the
heat of the day is more
noticeable.
Short visit to the Samaria Gorge
Generally the overall journey to Samaria Gorge is 4-8
hours depending on your pace. Six hours is the usual
time, especially if you make several stops for photos and
to enjoy the amazing scenery.
6. However if you feel strong
enough throughout this route,
there is the alternative of "lazy
way", as called by the tour
operators.
It is a much shorter route,
where you start from Agia
Roumeli and walk until
Sideroportes, the narrowest
point of the gorge.
On Sideroportes (in depth in
the photo) the gorge is so
narrow and almost touch the
two sides, that rise vertically
350 feet above your head.
The short route is certainly an easy way to feel the
magic of the gorge of Samaria, but certainly not all.
Team:Helen Kalikaki
Niki Androulaki
