Samaria Gorge

Omalos Plateau to Agis Roumeli via Samaria Gorge

14 May 

Overcast and humid 

A bus picked us up after a rustic breakfast of bread, homemade butter and yoghurt, local honey and jam. It was only a short journey by bus to the top of Samaria Gorge for our tickets. 

Our luggage cannot be transported by boat today due to high winds so we carried our basic necessities for the next two days in our backpacks. 

We left at 9.15 to head down into the gorge through the 12 stations covering 15 plus kms and a descent 1250 metres. The first station was reached in 45 minutes and it was a very steep descent over rocky ground. By the time we had reached station three in a couple of hours the unrelenting descent and mindfulness of watching each and every step was taking its toll. For the first time I experienced jelly legs and I wondered how I could possibly continue walking as I felt the messages weren’t coming from my brain to propel me forward. 

Fortunately after station three the descent is less gruelling although still arduous. Around station five we had reached the water flow and it was the start of many crossings. Two of our team struggled with balance so David and our guide stayed back to help. 

By lunch time my feet were very painful so by the time we reached station seven it was a welcome relief to add  some compeed before the blisters came. 

The old village of Samaria lay in ruins just beyond our lunch stop. 

The church of St Nicholas lies at the side of the track. 

As some of our group struggled the capable walkers headed off and I wasn’t too far behind however five stations later I arrived at Christos thinking I was at my final leg only to realise that 

there was 2.8kms to the exit and 2.7kms to the village. 

I decided to rest my feet and wait for the others to catch up. The first couple came in after 15 minutes and we were a group again by 30 minutes. 

Finally crossing the exit post and having our tickets taken was a relief however it wasn’t the end of the rocky ground which continued to our hotel. 

Some tricky paths. 

Nearing the end of the journey through the narrowest part. 

Before heading to our overnight accommodation we celebrated with some drinks at the local cafe at the exit. The freshly squeezed very large orange juice was the best I’ve ever had! 

The beautiful little village of Agia Roumeli captured our hearts and it was only after I’d showered and sipped that first glass of rosé overlooking the Mediterranean that I felt that sense of accomplishment wash over me. 

The flip flops (thongs) I had to buy at the local supermarket under our hotel to wear something on my feet to dinner will be a souvenir of my trip down the gorge.