Hóra Sfakíon or Sfakia is a small tradional fishing village of just 265 inhabitants on the south coast of Crete, 75km south of Chania. Hóra Sfakíon is famous as one of the centers of resistance against the occupying forces of both the Venetians and the Turks. There are daily ferries from Sfakia port to the southest island of Europe, named Gavdos as well as the picturesque Loutro and Agia Roumeli where Samaria Gorge ends.

A unique experience is waiting every nature lover in one of the deepest and adventurous gorge in Europe, created by a small river running between the White Mountains (Lefká Óri) and Mt. Volakias. We will start our exploration early in the morning as Samaria gorge is located on the western side of the island. The gorge northern entrance, starts from Omalos Plateau, Xiloskalo (1,277m altitude) and extends over a distance of 16 km to the village of Agia Roumeli, at the shores of the Libyan Sea. The route through the main trail is almost 13 km to the south entrance but you have to walk another three kilometers to Agia Roumeli and we usually need 5-7 hours of hicking. Three kilometers before the exit, we reach the Gates or Iron Gates or Sideroportes. Iron Gates is an imposing point, the narrowest of the route, with only 4 meters width and 300 meters height. Along the route you can also meet the rear kri-kri (cretan goat), a lot of endemic species and remnants of Byzantine churches and Venetian castles. At the end of the route you will arrive to Agia Roumeli, a small fishing village, where you can enjoy your meal and get a refreshing swim in the deep blue crystal water of the Libyan Sea. At the end of this magestic day you will board to the ship which will take you back to Hora Sfakion where we will be ready for our return trip. Some tips for every hiker of Samaria gorge: good hiking shoes, a bottle of water, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, an extra pair of socks and a swimsuit.

Omalos Plateau is situated 38 km south of Chania , at an altitude of 1,100m in the White Mountains (Lefka Ori). It has three entrances, one from the village Lakki , another one from Sfakia (a wooden staircase from where the well-known Samaria Gorge begins), and a last one from the province of Selino. In the past, due to its secluded and inaccessible location, the plateau was a refuge and stronghold of the revolutionaries during the Turkish occupation in Crete, but also to any foreign conqueror.