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Easy Hiking Trails in Samaria National Park

9 routes in Samaria National Park qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 2.5 km and 56 m (184 ft) of ascent.

That is 75 percent of the 12 routes we map in Samaria National Park. They are shorter than the local average, 2.5 km against 4.7 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 56 m (184 ft) against 103 m (338 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Easy routes keep both distance and climbing modest, so they work for a first day in a new area, for family groups, or for a half day when the weather is uncertain. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Easy

Aradena - Aradena gorge (N)

Samaria National Park · Region of Crete

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Agios Ioannis-Kormokopos Cave

Samaria National Park · Region of Crete

Distance
3.1 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
69 m
Typical duration
45 min
  • Cave
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Ag. Ioannis - Kakos Poros

Samaria National Park · Region of Crete

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
27 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Agios Ioannis-Koules

Samaria National Park · Region of Crete

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
24 m
Typical duration
16 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Agios Ioannis-Papakefala

Samaria National Park · Region of Crete

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
17 m
Typical duration
11 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Kroussia-Zarano

Samaria National Park · Region of Crete

Distance
3.3 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
73 m
Typical duration
48 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Agios Ioannis-Aradena

Samaria National Park · Region of Crete

Distance
4.2 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
93 m
Typical duration
1 hr 1 min
Easy

Agios Ioannis-Livaniana

Samaria National Park · Region of Crete

Distance
3.6 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
79 m
Typical duration
52 min

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Aradena - Aradena gorge (N)Samaria National Park1.1 km25 m17 minEasyOctober to May
Agios Ioannis-Kormokopos CaveSamaria National Park3.1 km69 m45 minEasyOctober to May
Ag. Ioannis - Kakos PorosSamaria National Park1.2 km27 m18 minEasyOctober to May
Agios Ioannis-KoulesSamaria National Park1.1 km24 m16 minEasyOctober to May
Agios Ioannis-PapakefalaSamaria National Park0.8 km17 m11 minEasyOctober to May
Agios Ioannis-Sellouda-Agios PavlosSamaria National Park4.3 km95 m1 hr 3 minEasyOctober to May
Kroussia-ZaranoSamaria National Park3.3 km73 m48 minEasyOctober to May
Agios Ioannis-AradenaSamaria National Park4.2 km93 m1 hr 1 minEasyOctober to May
Agios Ioannis-LivanianaSamaria National Park3.6 km79 m52 minEasyOctober to May

If you only have time for one, start with Aradena - Aradena gorge (N), Agios Ioannis-Kormokopos Cave, Kroussia-Zarano. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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