Samaria Gorge

[Bob M]

Hi
I,m going to Plakias on July 13th, and intend to walk the Samaria Gorge. Can anyone tell me if this is inadvisable at this time of year, or if there are any tips you could pass on...
cheers
Bob.

[Mike G]

No reason I can see not to do it other than the fact that it will be hot. I think it is 11 miles long, all downhill, with a drop of, I think, 5000ft. A bit hard on the knees but if going on an organised excursion then you have many hours to complete it. You need to be able to complete it though as the boat from Ayia Roumelia at the bottom is the only way out (other than walking back up!).

Probably the best scenery I have ever seen.

I have read that you can organise it yourself (i.e. bus to Ormalos at the top, boat from Ayia Roumelia at the bottom, and then bus from Chora Skafion where the boat goes to) but have no experience of this. Maybe others have.

Good luck. Don't forget to take sufficient water and food.

[John R]

We have been a couple of times - and it is well worth it, though we now prefer the Imbros gorge, which last year we walked up and then down again. Water no problem in the Samaria as there are frequent drinking places - just take an empty bottle or one full one for starters say.  Might be very hot in July. Two years ago they closed it due to excessive heat (50 degrees C) in mid Summer

Samaria  is very long and all down hill. Due to the steps down at the head of the gorge we on both occasions suffered badly from stiff calf muscles which persisted for about 4 days. Could hardly get down the hotel steps. We are experienced walkers but don't tackle that many steps very often.

best to use an organised trip - they start VERY early in the morning from Plakias.

John R

[Graham_and_Karen]

Samaria is a must, accepting the aching calves which, I think is inevitable but the Imbros gorge does have the advantage that it's easy to do independently. We just drove to bottom and parked up. Then, as John says you can walk to the top and back down again - quite a hike but as it's exercising different sets of muscles on the way down it's not too bad.

[Bob M]

Thanks for the info, I'll let you know how I got on...
Bob.

[ostraco]

I just did it the once - and loved it.Full of aches the following day - and I had to buy a pair for flip flops when I got to the bottom - took my trainers off to go for a swim and couldn't get them back on again.

I say go for it - but not just before you come home - you need a few days to recover.