Explore Samaria Gorge, Imbros, Kourtaliotiko and other Cretan hiking routes with local tips on access, transport, driving and mountain safety.
If you come to Crete just for the beaches, you’re missing half the island.
Drive inland and the scenery changes quickly. The roads climb into the mountains, villages sit quietly along the bends, and the sea gives way to high cliffs, pine trees and dry rocky valleys. For those of us who live here, Crete’s gorges and mountain roads are just as much a part of the island as its beaches.
Samaria is the gorge everyone knows. But there are plenty of others, and some are much quieter.
From the long walk through Samaria to shorter routes around Sfakia, Chania and Rethymno, Crete has something for every kind of hiker. A car makes things much easier, especially when you want to start early, stop for coffee in a village or finish the day with lunch and a swim.
You can see our car rental options in Crete if you’re planning to explore beyond the usual tourist routes.
Samaria Gorge
Samaria is famous for a reason.
The gorge is in the White Mountains of western Crete, inside Samaria National Park. The trail begins on the Omalos Plateau and finishes at Agia Roumeli, down on the Libyan Sea.
The walk changes all the way down. At the start, the path passes through mountain scenery and forest. Then the cliffs begin to rise on both sides and the gorge becomes more impressive. The narrowest section is at the Iron Gates, where the rock walls come very close together.
Once you reach Agia Roumeli, the walking is not quite over for the day—but the relaxing can begin. Find a table near the beach, order something cold, eat a proper meal and go for a swim while waiting for the boat.
Before walking Samaria
Samaria is a long and tiring walk. It takes most of the day, so don’t treat it like a quick excursion.
Take:
- Good walking shoes.
- Plenty of water.
- Food or snacks.
- A hat and sun protection.
- More time than you think you’ll need.
Start early, especially in summer. Also check whether the gorge is open, as opening dates can change depending on the season and weather.
If you’re driving, remember that Samaria is a one-way walk. You leave your car at Omalos and finish at Agia Roumeli. From there, you normally return by boat and bus, so check the transport arrangements before setting off.
A rental car is still useful if you’re staying in Chania or Apokoronas. You can leave early and reach Omalos without waiting for a tour bus.
Imbros Gorge
Imbros is a good choice if Samaria feels like too much.
It is shorter, easier to organise and still gives you that proper Cretan gorge experience. The trail passes through some beautiful sections, including a very narrow part where the rock walls are only a few metres apart.
Imbros is in the Sfakia area, and the drive there is worth taking slowly. Stop in the village for coffee or breakfast, walk the gorge and then continue towards Chora Sfakion or the south coast.
Don’t plan to rush straight back. The south coast is one of the most beautiful parts of Crete, with small villages, clear water and some excellent places to eat.
Kourtaliotiko Gorge
Kourtaliotiko is closer to Rethymno and is one of the most dramatic gorges on the island.
The road passes between steep cliffs and continues towards the south coast and Preveli. Water runs through the gorge, and the wind can be surprisingly strong as it moves between the rocks.
You don’t need to spend the whole day hiking here. Even the drive is worth it. Stop at the viewpoints, continue towards Preveli, have lunch in a village and take your time.
The roads in this part of Crete can be narrow and twisty. Drive slowly, especially when you meet another car coming the opposite way. There is no reason to hurry.
If you prefer somewhere quieter, Agia Irini Gorge in western Crete is worth considering.
Agia Irini Gorge
It does not usually have the same crowds as Samaria, and it works well for a more relaxed day in the mountains. You can combine the walk with a drive through the surrounding villages and lunch at a local taverna.
This is the kind of day we recommend when visitors ask us how to see a different side of Crete: choose one area, take your time and don’t try to visit five places before dinner.
Other gorges to explore
Samaria and Imbros get most of the attention, but they are only a small part of what Crete offers.
Around Chania, you can look into:
- Diktamos Gorge.
- Topolia Gorge.
- Sirikari Gorge.
- Lissos.
- Asfendou Gorge.
Around Rethymno, the Myli and Patsos areas are good for shorter walks and a quieter countryside drive.
In the east, the landscapes around Agiofarago, Zakros and the Gorge of the Dead are quite different again.
Some routes require proper preparation. Others are short enough to combine with a beach or village visit. In many cases, the road there is part of the attraction.
Why having a car helps
Most of Crete’s best gorges are not next to the big resorts. They are up in the mountains, reached by roads that pass through small villages and open countryside.
With a car, you can leave early, avoid a fixed tour schedule and change your plans when you find somewhere you like.
For example, you can drive from Chania to Omalos before the heat of the day, walk Samaria and return by boat and bus. Or you can visit Imbros, stop for lunch in Sfakia and finish with a swim on the south coast.
You can also simply stop for a coffee, take a photograph or sit in the shade for a while. Those unplanned stops are often the best part of a day in Crete.
See our rental cars or book directly with Blitz.
A few things to remember
The Cretan mountains are beautiful, but they can be demanding.
Before you go:
- Check the weather.
- Make sure the gorge is open.
- Wear shoes with a good grip.
- Take enough water.
- Carry some food.
- Start early in the summer.
- Check how you will get back before starting a one-way route.
- Tell someone where you are going if the route is remote.
- Don’t leave valuables in the car.
Most importantly, don’t rush. Stop and enjoy the surroundings. Listen to the water, look at the cliffs and take a break when you feel like it.
You’re not there to beat a record.
See more of Crete
Samaria is the best-known gorge on the island, but it is only one place among many.
The best way to explore Crete is often to leave the coast for a day and follow the road into the mountains. Stop at a village, eat somewhere local, take a short walk and see where the day leads you.
That is where having a car really helps. It gives you the freedom to see the places between the main tourist stops—the roads, villages, gorges and beaches that make each part of Crete feel different.
So take the car, head inland and leave some room in your plans. The drive to the gorge may end up being one of the highlights of your holiday.
Planning to visit Samaria, Imbros, Kourtaliotiko or another Cretan gorge?
Your car. Your route. Your Crete.
