The famous Samaria Gorge is characterized as National Park and constitutes
the most important place of sightseeing on Omalos plateau. The deep and imposing gorge, the scenic streams, the caves, the dense forests full of pine and cypress trees interchanging to rich low vegetation compose scenery of rare beauty. That’s why, every year thousands of visitors try to cross it. The gorge constitutes a biotope hosting flora and fauna of great diversity and balance.
To visit it, you can take the bus from Chania that stops at the north entrance of the gorge in Xiloskalo area. The gorge is open for visitors from beginning of May up to the end of September. If you decide to go through it, you will need to be supplied (from the beginning of the route) with water, food and of course be appropriately dressed for a tiring but amazing route that lasts approximately six hours (18 km). The most important part of your outfit is your shoes which have to be either sneakers or light climbing boots. Toe slippers, sandals and high heels are not appropriate for hiking in the gorge.
In the center of the gorge, lies the old village of Samaria where you can rest and quench your thirst in ideal places developed by the local Authorities.
In case you feel weak you do not need to worry as there are mules with guide to carry you along for the rest of the route relaxed and secure. Another way to enjoy Samaria gorge is to stay in Aghia Roumeli and walk the gorge from its end to its beginning meaning from its exit to the sea and for as long as you have the strength and finally spend the night at Aghia Roumeli. Whichever route you chose, it is better to start your trip early in the morning so you do not have to walk the gorge under the hot summer sun.
Geological elements-Flora and Fauna
The main geological formations composing the geological foundation of Samaria National Park are three: slabby crystal limestones, massive limestones, dolomites and screes (loose formations made of parts of rocks gathered on the slopes). The core of the area consists of Samaria Gorge extending over 18km from north to south. The gorge has unique geomorphology. Its maximum width is 4m and its sides are almost vertical reaching 300-400m. Samaria gorge is one of the greatest coastal gorges in the Balkans. Other characteristics of the area are: its side ravines ending up in the gorge, the impressive hypsometrical differentiation (in 6.5 km the altitude increases from 0 to 2.100m, while there are four mountain tops at an altitude of more than 2.000m), the characteristic slopes that reach 400m height, the characteristic geomorphologic elements of the karstic Cretan scenery such as limestone dolines, caves (most of which have not been explored yet), formations of slopes and many springs and areas with abandoned terraces (important element of human action). Pinus brutia forest is usually found at lower altitudes from approximately 0 to 600m. The formations Pistacia-Ceratonion do not exceed the altitude of 200m. The mixed forest Pinus brutia-Cupressus sempervirens is allocated from approximately 900 up to 1.800m. Above this altitude other remarkable formations such as Cupressus sempervirens, Quercus coccifera, Acer sempervirens and Zelcova abelicea are frequently seen. In greater altitudes one can meet formations such as Astragalus cretinus and A. angustifolius.
