Seeing the Samaria Gorge without Hiking?

[axariotisxy]

Is it possible to see the Samaria Gorge without doing the long hike?

I will be in Crete over the summer. I heard the hike is long. 11 miles, most of it downhill or flat. I just don't think I am up for it. Downhill climbing hurts my knee too much.

I have a friend who goes to Crete a lot and made an off-hand comment that you don't need to hike, but she didn't know all the details.

Does anyone hear? She mentioned taking a ferry. I am having a hard time picturing it. I looked into tours and they all involve hiking.

 

[k_tsoukalas]

It is!

Take the ferry to Agia Roummeli.

Typically, people who hike start in Omalos, which is the official start of the hike at the top. Then, it's 11 miles of hiking downhill until you reach the gorge, then a straight shot through the gorge.

The hike basically empties in Agia Roummeli and people take the ferry back.

If you start the village, you can simply hike through some of the gorge - it will be flat and you can view the scenery without going through the work of the 11 miles. Plus, the village is delightful. Sit at the black sand beach, buy some honey, get a bite to heat, take some photos at the gorge. It's actually a really nice day!