About this place

Samariá Gorge or Canyon  Φαράγγι Σαμαριάς is a National Park since 1962 situated on the Greek island Crete. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions on the island. The Samaria Canyon is 16km long which makes it the longest Canyon in Europe. It goes from Omolos Plateau to the Libyan Sea. The canyon was created by the flow of a small river between the White Mountains and Mt. Volakais. The hike through the National Park is 13 km long while the other 3 km do not belong in the National Park area. Organized walking tours are offered here. The Gates it the most famous part of the gorge because at places is 4 m wide and the rocks rise to a height of almost 300 m or 1,000 feet.
The Samariá Gorge is home to the Cretan goat or kri-kri which lives only on this area. If you are lucky then you´ll see other endemic species which found their home here.
This national park took the name of the uninhabited village and its church Ossia Maria.
Even though the walk through the gorge lasts about five to seven hours and can be tough it is really a must if you´re on Crete.