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Overview
Situated within the Lefka (White) Mts of western Crete is Samaria Gorge, one of the longest and most scenic gorges in Europe and protected by national park and biosphere reserve status.
In parts the gorge is only a few metres wide, in others the walls rise more than 300m. Much of the area is arid, bare rocks but are scrub-covered hillsides and small patches of woodland, mainly of oak and pine.
Birds
Notable Species
In ornithological circles this area is best known as a haunt of the now very rare Lammergeier which can usually be seen from the cafe at the top of the gorge. Other birds to be seen here include Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, and possibly Bonelli's Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Red-billed Chough.
On the Omalos Plateau above the gorge Cirl Bunting, Wood Lark and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear are common. Further into the gorge there are Chukar Partridge, Tawny Pipit, Ruppell's Warbler and Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Common Crossbill and Citril Finch.
During passage periods a variety of birds can be seen including Pied Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher and Semi-collared Flycatcher, and Isabelline Wheatear.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Chukar Partridge, Rock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, European Turtle Dove, Eurasian Scops Owl, European Nightjar, Common Swift, Alpine Swift, Wood Lark, Barn Swallow, Northern House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, White Wagtail, Common Wren, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, European Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Sardinian Warbler, Ruppell's Warbler, Wood Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, European Pied Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Common Jay, Alpine Chough, Red-billed Chough, Hooded Crow, Northern Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Linnet, Common Crossbill, Cirl Bunting
Other Wildlife
The rare Cretan Wild Goat can be seen among the rocks but the other mammals found here, including Beech Marten, Jackal and Red Fox are rarely seen.
Crete has many endemic plant species and those adapted to the shaded ravines and rocks of the Samaria Gorge are of particular interest to botanists.
Site Information
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
To do
Access and Facilities
The Gorge can be easily reached by road from Chania and there is a bus service.
A footpath extends the 18km of the gorge and visitors are requested to keep to it unless they have special permission from the park authorities. The walk takes 6-8 hours and an early start is best to avoid the crowds and heat of midday.
Visitors are allowed into the park between sunrise and sunset only , so camping is not allowed but there is guest-house accommodation and a selection of cafes at Nea Agia Roumeli on the coast at the end of the gorge.
Alternatively a ferry can be taken which connects with the return bus to Chania.
Contact Details
To do
External Links
Somaria Gorge on the Visit West Crete website
Content and images originally posted by Steve
