Page 266 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

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SAMARIÁ GORGE

ΦΑΡΑΓΓΙ ΤΗΣ ΣΑΜΑΡΙΑΣ

⌂ 44 km (27 miles) S of Haniá @ To Xylóskalo entrance g Agía Rouméli
EXPERIENCE Crete permits) ∑ samaria.gr
to Hóra Sfakíon (via Loutró); to Paleóhora (via Soúyia); time of last boat
back varies, check before travel # May–Oct: 7am–4pm daily (if weather
A spectacular, deep-cut canyon, Samariá Gorge is one of Europe’s
longest ravines. Situated in the White Mountains, it hides a landscape
of narrow paths cutting through towering cliffs. Declared a national
park in 1962, Samariá Gorge protects a number of endemic species.

Samariá Gorge is home to the Greek Islands’ most-famous hiking trail: the
tortuous 18-km (11-mile) route from the 1,250-m- (4,000-ft-) high northern
entrance to the sea at Agía Rouméli. The hike starts at Xylóskalo, a breathtaking
zigzag path that drops a staggering 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in the first 2 km (1 mile)
of the walk. At the bottom nestles the tiny chapel of Agios Nikólaos, a
reminder of life in the gorge before it was declared a national
park. Further down the path are the remains of Samariá
village, abandoned in 1962. The most famous part of
the hike comes 12 km (7 miles) along the gorge at the
Gates, where the route squeaks between two 300-m-
(1,000 ft) high rock walls, only 3 m (10 ft) apart. The
walk continues down to the seaside village of Agía
Rouméli, a white washed collection of houses
facing the turquoise sea. It used to be the haunt
of pirates, but now caters for the hiking crowd.
The only transport from the village is a boat; the
last one is usually at 5:30pm.

HIKE ALONG THE A kri-kri, or wild goat,
SFAKIÁ COAST often found leaping
From Agía Rouméli, around the gorge
keen hikers can con­
tinue east along the
coast, on the seven­
hour­hike to Hóra
Sfakíon. The main path,
way marked as route
E4, passes medieval
Ágios Pávlos chapel
and near by beach
tavernas. At the fork,
stay alongside the sea,
which leads to Loutró
resort, via Mármara
beach and palm­tree­
studded Fínikas cove.
Beyond, the footpath
threads along the shore
until arriving at Hóra
Sfakíon. The journey
can be broken with an
overnight at Mármara
or Loutró. Xylóskalo, the entrance to the gorge,
dropping sharply into the national park
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