Zakros Gorge is also known as the Gorge of the Dead because the Minoans used to bury their dead in the caves dotting the canyon walls. This easy-to-moderate walk starts just below Zakros village and follows a dry riverbed through a narrow and soaring canyon with a riot of vegetation and wild herbs before emerging close to Archaeological Site in Zakros near the taverna-flanked beach of Kato Zakros.
There are two trailheads on the road to Kato Zakros. Budget about two hours to hike down from "Entrance A" and 1½ hours from "Entrance B." There may still be water in the gorge until May – check locally. A taxi back to Zakros costs about €12.
The hike is part of the 12,000km-long E4 European Path, which kicks off in Tarifa (Spain) and ends in Larnaca (Cyprus).
