Lassithi Gorge of The Dead

Location: Zakros

Though its name would suggest a horror story, the Gorge of the Dead owes its name to the Minoan tombs that were discovered inside its caves. Also known as the Zakros Gorge, it is one of the most beautiful canyons in Crete and holds considerable archaeological and geological interest.

The gorge starts near the village of Zakros and continues all the way to the Minoan Palace of Zakros and the lovely Kato Zakros Beach. A second entrance to the gorge can be found halfway between the village and the palace at Kato Zakros.

Forming part of the E4 European long-distance trail, the route is relatively easy and takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to complete. With its low vegetation and towering walls, which reach a height of 350 meters, it is really captivating; the most adventurous will also find climbing destinations with permanent security belts and different difficulty levels.