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SAMARIA GORGE

July 30, 2016 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

Greece

Samaria Gorge is considered by many to be the finest natural site on the island of Crete.  Approximately ten miles in length, it is among the world’s narrowest and deepest canyons canyons.  Thanks to water stops and an alterative way to get in and out of the gorge, it is extremely hikeable from end to end.  The Samaria Gorge is located within Samaria Gorge National Park and is a World Biosphere Reserve.

South Central Crete, where Samaria Gorge is located, has been inhabited since the dawn of recorded history.  Settlements existed in the gorge for almost all of that time, until one of the last villages (also named Samaria) was finally abandoned in 1962 to allow for the creation of the national Park.  Another small village, Agia Roumeli, exists at the end of the gorge hike primarily to support the tourism industry.

Samaria Gorge was formed by a river that flowed down from the mountains of central Crete but which no longer exists.  The most famous feature of the canyon is known as the Portes (the Gates), where the gorge narrows to a little over ten feet in width, with walls rising to nearly a thousand feet on each side (one of the narrowest and deepest such sites on the planet).

Samaria Gorge is a very popular destination for both locals and visitors.  While many come to hike to reach the Gates, which can be done in a few hours hiking in and out, a full hike through the canyon and back is an overnight trip.  Facilities and infrastructure along the way make this more possible for hikers.  Web: http://samaria.chaniacrete.eu (official website).

Filed Under: Canyon Tagged With: Greece

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Where would you like to go?

Africa (North) Africa (Sub-Sahara) Arabia Armenia/Azerbaijan/Georgia Australia/Pacific Austria/Switzerland Balkans Belgium/Netherlands British Isles Canada Caribbean Central Asia China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany Greece Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria India (NE)/Nepal India (NW) India (South)/Sri Lanka Iran/Iraq Israel Italy/Malta Japan/Korea Latin America Mexico Palestine Poland/Lithuania Russia Scandinavia Southeast Asia Spain/Portugal Syria/Jordan/Lebanon Turkey/Cyprus Ukraine US-California US-Mid Atlantic US-Midwest US-New England US-New York US-Pacific Northwest US-South US-Southwest

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Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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