Hi,
We are in Chania for a few days in Sept 2009 and are planning to walk the Samaria gorge on our second day there. After reviewing some of the older posts on here, I'm starting to get a bit sceptical on whether the Samaria hike is right for us, compared to other gorge walks. Note that we will not have a car for Crete so are reliant on our feet and public transport. We are certainly physically capable of walking 6 + hours (both in early thirties, more or less fit) , but I still want this day to be enjoyable and fun. From some of the previous posts (travelerjan - I love your honesty, and that is partially what has gotten me second-guessing this part) I don't want our walk to be as part of a huge mob walking to a particular destination, and also, want to be able to recover rather quickly to get out the next day to explore other areas around Chania.
So, my questions are: Is doing the Samaria Gorge in early Sept still a very crowded, touristy activity? Is it so physically challenging that 2 fit youngish adults (who regularly walk and hike and do phsyical activity) would need the next day to recover? And, last question, I've also heard that the last part (3km) of the gorge walk is kind of "boring"... paved surface, etc. Is that realistic?
I certainly appreciate everyone's input!
Jenn

We walked Samaria Gorge many years ago (1987) so cannot comment on how crowded it might be but it is certainly not a difficult walk if you walk from mountain to coast. It is predominantly downhill or flat in this direction. Energy wise you should have no problems at all. We were around 30 at the time and my partner had just had stitches removed from his foot. We travelled by bus to Chania at dawn to start the walk but don't know what transport is currently available. We loved the walk and took our time, picnicking along the way. Some people raced past as though it was a challenge to do it as quickly as possible but we enjoyed it more by taking our time. If you do it, I would be interested to know what it is like these days.

I can't really speak for you, but I loved it.

Once we got off the Xyloskalla, the crowds thinned out at least until the end when we met the folk walking up.

It's a few years since we went but we really enjoyed the walk. We went on an organised trip, to avoid having to work out our own transport but found that people soon spread out in the gorge and we never felt we were walking with a crowd. Even if you go on your own, it is quite likely you will arrive at the same time as coach trips, so will be in exactly the same position, as it's recommended to start as early as possible to avoid walking in the midday sun. It is not a technically difficult walk by any means but as it is 11 miles, all downhill, you are using one set of muscles and we were stiff the next day - not so much so that it stopped us doing anything though. We felt it was well worth the trip and would do it again, though we are both about 15 years older now!

I did the gorge 3 years ago (I was 50 at the time) and had no problem with the walk or with recovering afterwards.
Did it through a local company but had to leave our hotel in Chania about 6.30 am.started the walk about 8.oo and were in the bar at the end of the walk by 1.00pm with plenty of stops on the way.There are areas to fill up water bottles on the way through and there are some toilets as well.The water stations at the bottom of the gorge were a bit limited in their supply 9just a trickle)Once at the bottom of the gorge you have to take a boat round the coast a bit and then get a coach back to Chania.in all the whole trip takes about 12 hours.I did in middle of september and the weather was warm without being too hot,the boat trip was a perfect way of recovering after the walk.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We'll probably end up doing it!