The Samaria Gorge, Crete - May 2005
By: Keith KelletCan you walk about 18k. over rough territory? Because, once you're in Crete's Samaria Gorge, there's only one way out. down the gorge to its mouth at Ayia Roumeli; either on foot, or, in emergency, on the back of the Ranger's donkey!
You can get to the Samaria Gorge by one of the many tours available, and I'd advise to price around the many travel agents around the resort towns on Crete . don't grab anything offered by a tour company 'rep' without checking around first.
Or, you can take the regular KTEL service bus; this will take you to Omalos, high in the hills, where most folk start the walk. At the other end of the gorge, Ayia Roumeli, the seaside village at its mouth, is accessible only by boat.
The first part of the walk is a descent into the gorge along a rough, stony path through the woods; for 'uphill' walkers, who started at Ayia Roumeli, this is just plain soul-destroying! The path then winds along the river-bank for most of the length of the gorge.
About halfway down is the abandoned village of Samaria; the villagers were moved out when the area was first designated a National Park. And, near the end of the walk, the Iron Gates are the narrowest, and most spectacular part of the gorge.
You have to pay a small fee to enter the gorge, and you'll be issued with a ticket. Don't lose it, because they check it before you leave the gorge .'and, if you lose it, you'll have to go back and get another' said the Ranger, with a grin.
There are plenty of places where you can get spring water, and, if you run out between springs, the river water's potable . and please use the toilets provided en route to keep it so! But, at the end is Ayia Roumeli . it's jokingly said that it has more cafes than houses. And, here you can get beer!
