Hi All - I have finally booked all of my hotels and travel for my trip to Greece! I leave in 3 weeks and I am trying to get a feel for what to do in each area.

I will for sure be posting more questions, but in the meantime, I have some specific questions on the Samaria Gorge.

1) How strenuous is it?? Are there nerve-wracking parts of the gorge which make it tricky to hike (rock climbs, steep/narrow cliffs with no ledges)?? Or do you pretty much walk the whole way?

My husband and I are both 33, we are reasonably fit, but we don't work out. We do a decent amount of walking since we live in Manhattan, but I am just not sure what to expect with the gorge and I know once you start, there is no turning back!! Also, if it's a very tedious hike with lots of "maneuvering," not sure if I will do it since I am looking more for a leisurely walk/hike with pretty views...Maybe I can get this elsewhere??

2) How beautiful are the views?? Some on this board have said it was not all that impressive, but I have no idea. Would you describe the Samaria Gorge hike as "breath-taking"? Is it worth it or should I spend my limited time elsewhere??

3) How long do you think it will take to hike the gorge??

Any advice from those who have done this would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

I was about your age when I hiked it - and I was 6 months pregnant. My ex-husband did it carrying our 3-year-old son most of the way.

So it's not hard & it's downhill. We took a bus to the start, had a drink (non-alcoholic for pregnant me) at the end & then caught a boat ride back.

Although we did spend the next day recuperating.

I am one of those who say you can get your walk kicks another way, several other ways. The Samaria thing is highly promoted, makes big $$ for bus tour people. You may end up in a long line of people, looking at someone's back the whole 7 hours. ??

If you MUST do a gorge, consider Imbros. You'll have to drive to the beginning outside village of Imbros, walk down (3.5 hours not 7-8), get a taxi to take you back up to your car. We did it in May, met only a dozen people the whole time, just as many flowers, trees etc, narrow areas, no crowds no costly tour.

OR -- If staying in Chania, go to VAMOS, lovely traditional village; there are 2 nice groups that lead you on 3-4 hour walks either up hills, or around beaches etc, very scenic full of interest. I thnk this is EXACTLY what you are looking for!! Here are some links --

http://www.vamossa.gr/content/view/15/12/lang,english/
http://groen.maakum.nl/~faragito/hom....php?page_id=3

...this will give you a chance to have some delicious mezedes as well!

I loved the Samaria Gorge. Wasn't in great shape. The very first part is the hardest-but also with some of the best views. We went in early October, so it wasn't too crowded. I'm afraid of heights and had no problem. It's a big long downhill walk- steepest at the top, gradually getting easier. You should have no problem(I'm older than you).

Oh- and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

The walk is fairly easy and you will be fine. Im a fast walker, so I quickly lost the main herd of walkers and I made it through in 2 hours 40min, which included time to take photos. Wear walking shoes or boots, carry plenty of water and take your swimming things, to have a refreshing dip at the end.

I am sure the poster could manage the gorge just fine -- I did the Imbros gorge handily at post-retirement age, and followed it the next day with the "Precipice" hike from Loutro to Hora Sfakion. In neither Gorge are there the cliff-edge or rock-climb hazards she mentions... it's just walking till you get there -- and the question is, do you need a 7 hour experience, or is 3 1/2 hours enough?

Endurance is not the point, I think. Imavolio seems to be looking for a jaunt that's about what there is to SEE, and that's why I suggested investigating the other walks -- which I hope she will.

I've seen people doing it in high heeled mules.

However I found the bottom, flatter half harder mainly because it was SO hot - the first beer at the bottom didn't touch the sides on it's way down

I thought that there was plenty to see. I was never bored, or thinking "when will this be over?". A beautiful walk the whole way. The town of Samaria is beautiful, the iron gates are very impressive and had fun looking for the kri-kri. Yes it is a long walk- but well worth it.

Yes, you should do it. We accidentally ended up doing it independently and I'm inclined to suggest you do the same.

You don't need to be mega fit. I agree with alan that the last bit is a bit of a slog.

It's a steep downhill trek for maybe an hour- actually my memory is less.

I think the trick is not to get stuck in the trap of racing the other people. There's a huge impetus to do so, because everyone's trying to get away from the crowds.

But I would counsel you go at your own pace. We took masses of water, but you don't need much because tehre are taps all the way along. Take one bottle and refill as you go. Make sure you're covered with sun cream - on your back as well as your front; and take time to look at the scenery, as well as your feel.

It's splendid. It took us about 5 hours, but we were well fit at the time. They say you should budget about 6-7 hours.

The trick is getting way early enough, because the last bit has little shade, and doing it in the noonday sun is no picnic.

Did I say, it's splendid

We were in our mid 30s when we did the gorge and used to walking in the British mountains. We had no problems with the walk and I am also not good with heights and drops. We did an organised trip that got us to the top of the gorge for 7am and were down at the bottom about midday, where it was extremely hot and we were glad of a dip in the sea to cool off. We enjoyed the walk tremendously. The only thing I do remember was being very stiff the next day - as the walk is all downhill, you are using one set of muscles constantly.

My son was 7 years old when we walked it. Managed just fine. And what comes to tour companies making money: Don´t take a tour. A regular public bus leaves from Hania before six in the morning. We took that.

Thinking about this Gorge brought back memories of treking it in 1979 and 2002. We did it in early July and it can get cold in the early morning. Not many people in 1979, but thousands of people in 2002. Bathroom facilities are pathetic and your basically walking over a lot of rocks (your shins and knees will hurt the next day if your older!) Our next trek will be taking the ferry and go up the gorge the opposite way a mile or two--which is the most exciting part of the gorge in my opinion.
If you have the passion to make the 12 mile or so trek--do it--as it is an experience you will never forget...