Steep section before the confluence of Xeropotamos and Zakros Gorge (Valley of the Dead)

To descend the 8-meter-deep, tricky steep step, only the grip to the metal chain and the safe kick in metal hangers help. A small Highligt, which can be passed well and quickly without any major problems and the Tour (komoot.de/tour/22897750) gives his spice.

If you want to do the circular tour with the Zakros and Xeropotamos gorges, it is recommended to climb up through the "Valley of the Dead" (who came up with this stupid name?) Traditionally it is simply το φαράγγι της Ζάκρου, the Zakros gorge) and then tackle the Xeropotamos from below, because this makes the steep section much easier to manage. And if you do get scared, it is no problem to go back a few hundred meters and climb up to Zakros. Contrary to what the Rother hiking guide says, there are no more difficult sections after this passage. It should also be remembered that if you hike in the opposite direction à la Rother down the valley in winter or spring, you could also have problems crossing the stream/river at the beginning and further along the Zakros gorge after the steep section. On 22.02.22, the meter-spaced and partly wobbly stepping stones in the rushing stream were certainly not everyone's cup of tea