Zakros Gorge Trail loop from Kato Zakros

Hiking trails & Routes

Greece

Lasithi

Zakros Gorge Trail loop from Kato Zakros

Hard

4.7

(99)

363

hikers

Zakros Gorge Trail loop from Kato Zakros

03:01

9.29km

300m

Hiking

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 4, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 4.81 km for 8 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

5.55 km

Water Channel Trail in the Gorge

Highlight • Trail

This also gives confidence. Not only orientation but also support. Nevertheless: be careful when climbing over.

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5.67 km

Valley of the Dead Gorge

Highlight • Gorge

The gorge is at its most beautiful in winter and early spring (lush vegetation, pleasant temperatures, no tourism), but you have to reckon with getting wet feet on one of the numerous creek crossings. On 02/22/22 not a single one of the tavernas in Kato Zakros was open.

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7.95 km

Gorge of the Dead (Valley of the Dead)

Highlight • Gorge

Gorge of the Dead is not called that because there are goat skeletons lying around everywhere, but because ritual burials used to take place here.

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8.09 km

Shaded rest area under a large tree

Highlight • Rest Area

You can relax here in the shade before or after the gorge tour.
And if you have a picnic with you, then this is the best place.

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8.34 km

Zakros Gorge Trail

Highlight • Trail

The path through the gorge is easy to walk on and now quite well marked with red dots or "E-4" marks.

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8.38 km

Dead's Gorge (Zakros Gorge) Cave Tombs

Highlight • Gorge

Because of the many ancient tombs that were found in the caves of the gorge, the Zákros gorge is also called "valley of the dead".

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8.62 km

E4 Trail – Valley of the Dead Entrance

Highlight • Gorge

From these signs, the actual tour begins through the gorge of Zaros.

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9.10 km

Dead Gorge (Zakros Gorge – Valley of the Dead)

Highlight • Gorge

The canyon of Káto Zákros can be committed from both sides and offers thus always new views.

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9.29 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.31 km

3.09 km

2.00 km

901 m

Surfaces

8.06 km

715 m

325 m

186 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Tuesday 20 October

25°C

13°C

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Comments

October 9, 2025,Tal der Toten 2 nach Rother

Today's itinerary included a black tour from the Roth hiking guide titled "The Valley of the Dead No. 2." First of all, if you're hiking at a leisurely pace like we were, you're not exactly young anymore. It won't be possible to complete it in 3 hours and 40 minutes. We were out for 5 hours, including several breaks for …

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September 30, 2021,„Tal der Toten" Runde von Κάτω Ζάκρος

Nice little tour from the beach into the country. A dry gorge and a beautiful path across the highlands. The name is martial - it's not that wild. In the past, the caves in the gorge are said to have served as a cemetery.

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June 7, 2025,Kre_63_Tal der Toten 2

Hello friends, the time has come for me to share something new. I'm now in the east, in Kato Zakros. Today I was in the Valley of Death gorge, and it was truly impressive. A very beautiful gorge. I took too many pictures again. If you're interested, check it out. Everything was blooming pink.

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October 17, 2024,[Boucle] Remontée des gorges des morts

Be careful, we changed our minds along the way and decided not to go to Zakros and instead do a loop so don't follow our trail blindly.

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May 11, 2024,Durch die Schlucht der Toten

Beautiful tour through the Valley/Gorge of the Dead. Great vegetation, lots of goats and lonely in the upper part of the gorge...

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October 27, 2024,Kreta: Atemberaubende Rundwanderung durch das Tal der Toten

Tour is only suitable for experienced and sure-footed hikers.

!!! An eight-meter-high rock face must be descended via several steps and with the help of a chain leading away. !!!

The rocks in the gorge are smoothly polished, so good shoes are recommended. In many places you have to climb.

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