Samaria Gorge: Τhe largest across Europe

The Samaria Gorge is the largest one across Europe. Over three hundred thousand people  cross it every year. It is a marvelous landscape with rare geomorphic formations, unique biotope with unique richness in flora and fauna and a rich mythology that goes back  to the prehistory and history of  the  island.
It was declared as National Park in 1962 and has been awarded in 1971 with the National Diploma of Nature Protection, proclaimed in 1973 as a place of exceptional natural beauty and in 1979 it was awarded by the Council of Europe with the A-class European Diploma, for protection of the natural environment, which until now is renewed every five years.
The length of the path within the limits of the park is 12.8 km and then the distance to the beach Agia Roumeli, is another 3.2 km in additional. The crossing of the gorge in a faster walking can be done in five or fewer hours, but preferably ​​must be done within 6 to 8 hours in order to enjoy the  incomparable beauty.
The main species of fauna are the world famous Cretan wild goat (Capra Aegagrus Cretica), an animal that is incredibly beautiful and bravery, which now has been rescued and lives freely only in this gorge and in the three parallel gorges to this one. Regarding the flora, you will be able to see the famous huge ancient cypress trees, which were used for shipbuilding and  by the Minoans for the columns of the palace of Knossos. In total there are 450 species of the Cretan flora, of which 70 are endemic.
It has many strictures that have been named "doors" but the narrowest, is the "Sideroporta" which is only three meters wide and the drop sides on either side ranging from 300 to 700 meters. In many places you pass over the river gorge with small wooden bridges. Inside  the gorge there were in ancient times many famous Holy Oracles and the ancient city of Tara in the place of Agia Roumeli  where you can see a part of the temple of Apollo.

It is usually open to visitors from 1st of May till the end of October unless there are extreme weather conditions. There are outposts of the State Agency (Forestry) at the entrance of the gorge, in the Samaria settlement and at the exit of the park. Also, the gorge provides physician. In Agia Roumeli there is a heliport.

Source:lexifilia.blogspot.gr