{"id":1619,"date":"2025-09-02T23:44:37","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T23:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyaphil.com\/?page_id=1619"},"modified":"2026-08-20T16:54:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:54:15","slug":"parc-national-de-samaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyaphil.com\/en\/parc-national-de-samaria\/","title":{"rendered":"Samaria National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

Samaria National Park<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Welcome to Samaria National Park<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\ud83c\udf3f Samaria National Park: The Sacred Gorge of the White Mountains<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd Location<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • Located in western Crete, in the heart of the White Mountains (Lefk\u00e1 \u00d3ri)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • The park extends over more than 48,000 hectares<\/strong>, from the Omalos plateau to the coastal village ofAgia Roumeli<\/strong>, on the Libyan seafront.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \ud83c\udfde\ufe0f Samaria Gorge: the backbone of the park<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    • Long of 16 kilometers<\/strong>, it is one of the longest gorges in Europe<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • She starts at 1,250 meters above sea level<\/strong> to Xyloskalo<\/strong>, and descends to sea level.<\/li>\n
    • In some places the gorge is only 2 to 3 meters wide<\/strong>, with vertical cliffs of more than 500 meters<\/strong> from above - notably at the mythical passage of the Iron Gates<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \ud83e\udd7e Hiking and experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      • The path is well marked<\/strong>, but requires a good physical condition<\/strong> : account between 5 and 7 o'clock<\/strong> walking at your own pace.<\/li>\n
      • The route crosses:<\/li>\n
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        • The pine and cypress forests<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
        • The ruins of the abandoned village of Samaria<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
        • The natural sources<\/strong> of pure water,<\/li>\n
        • Strikingly beautiful, rugged, rocky landscapes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        • At the exit, we reach Agia Roumeli<\/strong>, a small coastal village accessible only on foot or by boat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \ud83d\udc10 Fauna and flora<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          • The park is home to exceptional biodiversity:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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            • The kri-kri<\/strong>, wild goat endemic to Crete, emblem of the park.<\/li>\n
            • The rare and protected plants<\/strong>, some of which grow nowhere else.<\/li>\n
            • A wide variety ofbirds<\/strong>, including birds of prey such as the golden eagle and Eleonora's falcon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Protection and recognition<\/strong><\/p>\n

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              • Created in 1962<\/strong>, the park is classified Biosphere Reserve<\/strong> by UNESCO.<\/li>\n
              • It is also registered in the network NATURA 2000<\/strong> for the protection of flora and fauna.<\/li>\n
              • Strict rules are applied there: no smoking, picking plants, making fires or straying from the path.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                \ud83d\udd52 Practical information:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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                • Open from May to October<\/strong>, depending on weather conditions.<\/li>\n
                • Main entrance<\/strong> : Xyloskalo (Omalos plateau).<\/li>\n
                • Price<\/strong> : approximately 5 \u20ac per person (2025)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                • To expect hiking shoes<\/strong>, water<\/strong>, sun protection<\/strong>, and possibly a walking stick<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \u2728 Why Samaria is unforgettable<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  It is a crossing between heaven and earth<\/strong>, between forest and rock<\/strong>, between silence and breath<\/strong>Samaria National Park is not just a hike: it is a initiatory experience<\/strong>, a journey into the intimacy of wild Crete<\/strong>, where each step brings you closer to the sublime.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>