Samaria is said to be the longest gorge in Europe.

The gorge of Samaria is 16 km long, starting at an altitude of 1250m and taking you all the way down to the shores of the Libyan sea in Agia Roumeli. The walk through the National Park of Samaria is 13 km (starts at Xyloskalo) but you will have to walk the extra 3 km to Agia Roumeli from the exit of the National Park making it 16 km.

Used as a hide out during war years, is now haunted by the Cretan "ibex" known as "Kri-Kri", the chin bearded wild goat of Crete with thick, curved, ridged horns, and only if you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of one. Equally rare is "Dictamon" an herb very much appreciated locally, found on the cliffs of the gorge.

The very narrow passage near the end of the gorge is often called the "Iron Gates". None of the former inhabitants of Samaria know why the place suddenly got this name. They were always known by the locals as "Portes" which means "doors" or "gates".