Work is underway to prepare Samaria Gorge for its seasonal opening. Contractor crews are currently clearing rocks and fallen timber from the trail and repairing damage to the path caused by winter weather. The gorge, located in the White Mountains of western Crete near Chania, is one of Europe's longest and most visited hiking trails, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It typically opens in late April or May, once the path is deemed safe and water levels in the gorge have dropped sufficiently. Tourists planning to hike Samaria this spring should check the official opening date before making travel arrangements, as the schedule depends on the pace of ongoing restoration work and final safety inspections by local authorities.