Not much to add from previous reviews other than our experience. Sturdy trainers or hiking boots are a MUST. This is a very physical walk and some parts are not shaded so would not recommend for children, 13 years and older should be fine. We saw a few younger children flagging by halfway. The first steep 3k are the toughest, be prepared for achy legs for a couple of days after! Although it is busy to begin with, it is possible fairly quickly, and certainly by the halfway 'Main' stop, to find your own peaceful 'slot' and pace. The views around each bend are just stunning and very different as you descend. The whole experience is a treat for the senses from the tinkle of goat bells and the buzz of insects to the smells from trees and shrubs. The bay at the end has a beach (to the right) which is small black shingle and gets very hot so beach shoes are needed. Changing huts and showers are also available for free. We stopped at Maria's (just passed the first restaurants) and loved the fresh orange juice and excellent value fresh sandwiches. The ferry was busy on the way back, struggling with social distancing and the general reluctance to wear face coverings (although this was checked by the boat staff). Do not sit at the back if you are not a smoker! All in all a great day and a highlight of Crete. We booked through Splendor Holidays (found via Google), they picked up even at our remote hotel (around 5.30am) and dropped by back around 9.00pm. Total cost was 43E per person including all tickets. We are relatively fit 40 somethings and did the walk in 4 1/2 hours with a couple of short stops.

Samaria in a car is currently (August 2020) a whole day trip and there is no guarantee of coming back to the parking. First you drive to Xyloskalo - no matter when you start, you come back at dawn, around 20:00. Choose your parking wisely: one is for 5 EUR, the other one free of charge, but supposedly buses turn around on it. Then you walk (which btw. is awesome) down the canyon and then you come to Aija Rumeli where you are stack till 17:30 - the only ferry back goes at that time (direction Sougia) In Sougia buses await travelers. BUY YOUR TICKET ONLINE. Otherwise rush from the ferry to a ticket box behind all buses, where you can buy tickets. If you are lucky, you will get to the first bus. If less lucky, you will stand in the second bus. I saw at least 5 people left behind at the bus stop for there wasn't enough room for them in both buses. Bus departed at 19:10 so we got to the parking in Xyloskalo around 20:30. It starts getting dark - watch out for goats and try to drive behind someone.

Really excellent day out. Left the north of the island near Chania on a coach c 5:30am, started the hike as the gates opened at 7:30am. Lucky to be in the first group as apparently 1600 people did the journey that day (mid October). Beware - they will close the gorge in the event of suspected bad weather/heavy rain. The first part is hard going on the knees, but it gets easier. Being near the front we were lucky not to be too held up by people stopping much or taking photos and therefore were at the beach by midday having done it at a good pace. Note there is nowhere to buy food in the National park/during the hike but plenty of places at the end - lots of restaurants and a supermarket and a beautiful beach to have a recovery swim while waiting for the boat to take you back to Sougia (c1h, €10). There are taxis there to take you back to the start of the gorge if you drive yourself and left your car (€10). The excursion coaches will also meet you there. Beware your calves will hurt the next day!