Samaria Gorge

Those walking boots will get a good workout during a hike through the Samaria Gorge, one of Crete’s natural wonders. This 16km-long ravine is the longest in Europe, so it’s a serious – but spectacular – five to six-hour trek that’s not for the unfit or faint-hearted.

Most Samaria Gorge hikes start at the Xyloskalo staircase, which zigzags some 200 metres down into the gorge. You pass tiny chapels as you walk between the high ravine walls, possibly spotting some of the island’s wild ‘kri-kri' goats on your way. The highlight, though, is the ‘Iron Gates’ – the narrowest section of the gorge where the 300-metre-high walls stand just 3 metres apart. Simply spectacular. At the end, you reach the seaside village of Agia Roumeli, where if you’ve made good time, you can take a refreshing dip in the sea or fuel up on traditional Greek food at a taverna.

If you love the great outdoors and a bit of adventure, a gorge hike is a must when visiting Crete. A trek, guided by a local expert guide, offers the perfect combination of natural beauty, culture and history.