THE SAMARIA GORGE & ENVIRONS

One of the most exciting open-air adventures to be had

by those who enjoy the outdoor life is to pay a visit to

the Samaria Gorge. A walk through the Gorge is not so

arduous as it may appear -it is now so well organised

it makes for a very pleasant outing.

The Gorge is amongst the biggest in Europe and certainly, at l8km, it is the longest. It is a National

Park and a wildlife protection area, being one of the natural habitats of the Cretan wild goat which you may be fortunate to see as you pass through. You may also be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the Chamois deer although they are shy creatures who tend

to come out at dusk or during the night.

In spring and early summer, a wonderful collection of

wild flowers flourishes in the gorge and the mountain

plain leading up to it. In winter the Gorge is usually

flooded and passage is difficult if not impossible so it

is only open for a short time in the summer season.

The Gorge starts near the small village of Omalos at

a height of 4,000 ft and meanders down through mountains and sheer cliffs to the village of Ag.Roumeli

near the sea. The descent begins via the Wooden Staircase. At one point the Gorge narrows to a few yards (the Iron Gates) and the cliffs soar a thousand feet on either side but it is not a difficult walk although proper shoes and clothing should be worn.

Some 2 kms from the entrance to the Gorge there is the

small chapel of Ag. Nikolaos. Half-way along is

the deserted village of Samaria -once inhabited by

woodcutters. There is a small Byzantine church in the

village dating from the 14th century. Dotted throughout the pass are fountains which provide ample drinking water. There are also a number of caves, once used

as hiding places from the Turks by resistance fighters,

and in use again during the Second World War for shel-

tering members of the Allied forces and guerilla fighters.

Ag. Roumeli, the village at the end of the journey,

is built on the site of Ancient Tarrha, once famous

for Roman glass; there is a l5th century church there

with fragments from an ancient temple and Roman mo-

saics. From Ag. Roumeli you can walk to the sea or

take a boat to Sfakia, Sougia or Paleohora and

from these villages, return to Chania by bus.

Since the walk takes several hours (four or five on average), it is advisable to make the trip through the

Gorge with an organised tour. This means that although

you have to get up early to catch the coach from Cha-

nia, the timing is planned so that you have ample time

to walk through the gorge and are assured of a return

journey at the end of the day. A word of warning: it is

surprisingly cold up at Omalos at 8 o'clock in the

morning so be prepared to stand around shivering for a

while, till the sun rises over the mountains and gradually warms you up.

To visit the Gorge:

Ø      Buses leave daily from Chania at around 6.00 a.m.,travelling the 42 kilometers from Chania to reach theGorge by 08.00 hours.(Phone 0821-22287)for information.

Ø      The Gorge is open to visitors daily from 06.00 hours to 16.00 hours from May 1 st till October 31 st.

Ø      Walkers are required to keep to the paths indicated.

Ø      Children under 14 years old must be accompanied by

              an adult.

Ø      Camping and overnight stays in the Gorge are

              not permitted.

Ø      Please do not light fires and take care with cigarettes and matches.

Ø      Visitors are requested not to play radios or cassette

             players en route.

Ø      At the journey's end, in the afternoon 2 or 3 boats sail from Ag. Roumeli for the village of Sfakion, Sougia       and Paleochora from which buses leave for the   return to Chania. At Ag. Roumeli, there are hotels, tavenas and  restaurants, as well as rooms to let.