The Samaria Gorge is about 18 km long (over 8 miles), and is supposedly the longest in Europe. The gorge was carved out by a river that flows between Mt. Psiristra and Mt. Volakias and down to the sea. The gorge varies from about 150 m to 3 m wide, and its walls reach 500 m at their highest points. In the summer, the Samaria Gorge can be very hot and dry, and the sun really beats down on you. Good walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen are a must. Many hikers trek the whole gorge from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli, which takes about six hours--and it's almost all downhill! We started at Agia Roumeli and hiked to the narrowest part of the gorge, known as the Iron Gates. We then turned around and hiked back downhill to Agia Roumeli, where we enjoyed a wonderful traditional Greek lunch and a swim in the sparkling Mediterranean from the pebble beach.

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Photo © 2003 Linda Garrison, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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