A well-maintained hiking trail, accessible year-round, leads through the Gorge of the Dead. It can be started either in the village of Zakros or at the Palace of Zakros in Kato Zakros. If undertaken as a loop, allow four hours for the hike. The gorge is a section of the European long-distance hiking trail E4.

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Peter

November 27, 2025

Hiking

The Gorge of the Dead (Greek: Φαράγγι Νεκρών Farángi Nekrón), also known as the Gorge of Zakros (Φαράγγι Ζάκρου Farángi Zákrou) or Valley of the Dead, lies below the town of Zakros, west of the Minoan palace near Kato Zakros in eastern Crete. During the summer months, the gorge is one of the most popular hiking destinations in eastern Crete.

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Routes here

Best Hikes to Dead's Gorge (Zakros Gorge) Cave Tombs

4.8

(134)

493

hikers

1. Water Pipe Trail (Crete) loop from Zakros

13.2km

04:05

330m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

4.7

(98)

384

hikers

2. Zakros Gorge Trail – Water Pipe Trail (Crete) loop from Kato Zakros

10.8km

03:26

270m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

4.9

(91)

399

hikers

3. Water Pipe Trail (Crete) – Zakros Gorge Trail loop from Zakros

11.9km

04:09

340m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 20 m

Weather

Monday 26 January

15°C

8°C

49 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

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Location: Lasithi, Greece

Other Popular Places to Check Out

View of the Gorge near Oregano and Spurge Plants

Trail Sign to Kato Zakros, Zakros, and Azokeramos

Plant Diversity in the Gorge

Red Cliffs of Eastern Crete

Kato Zakros Beach

View of Zakros Gorge (Gorge of the Dead)

View of Dead's Gorge (Zakros Gorge)

Dense Macchia Trail

Valley of the Dead (Zakros Gorge) on the E4 Trail

View of the Libyan Sea from Kourtaliotiko Gorge

View of Kato Zakros

Start of the Gorge of the Dead

Dead's Gorge (Zakros Gorge) Cave Tombs

1. Water Pipe Trail (Crete) loop from Zakros

2. Zakros Gorge Trail – Water Pipe Trail (Crete) loop from Kato Zakros

3. Water Pipe Trail (Crete) – Zakros Gorge Trail loop from Zakros

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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