Samaaria kuru

It was wonderful to experience this adventure and traverse this beautiful gorge. However, it`s a significant challenge for those who don`t regularly hike in the mountains. It was simply a mountain hike, and even though you`re walking almost all the time downhill, it`s very strenuous due to the rocks and the length of the route. You need to be well prepared, have good shoes, and be prepared to suffer from severe muscle soreness in your thighs and calves several days after the hike. I don`t regret having experienced it. The guide was very helpful, but everyone has to navigate it on their own. The orange juice after emerging from the gorge was delicious, and the buses for the last 2 kilometers were a godsend.

A worthwhile hike, with stunning views. The route isn`t difficult, but it is demanding. You can walk it in sneakers, but the nearly 17km hike in Crete`s temperature is exhausting, despite the drinking water springs. The guide who led us was a woman with decades of experience in Crete, so to speak. She was a bit chaotic, but this can be forgiven because, in a pinch, she was always willing to help as much as possible. The route is one-way, meaning there`s no return to the previous point, and each subsequent stop is a new destination. It`s worth remembering to pack something to eat, as the return trip might be late, and to take a swim in the sea before the ferry. There`s no other way back except by ferry, unless you hike the 17km again, this time uphill.