The former Itanos Municipal Enterprise, has marked free climbing routes at the gorge of Kato Zakros, accessible all year round.

The alternative vacation proposition, for those looking for extreme fun! All routes are covered and offer pleasurable, safe climbing. You will find many routes, suited to all levels and abilities and suitable for all tastes.

The wider region of Sitia, and especially its southeastern part, is characterized by exceptionally beautiful gorges, where orange and grey-green colours prevail on their rocky cliffs, creating gorgeous scenes of wild nature. The gorges of the region and of Crete in general, were created about 2 millions years ago, when Crete took its final form.

"Faraggi ton Nekron" (gorge of the dead) or the gorge of Zakros

There is a sacred relationship between the people of east Crete and the gorges since antiquity, when nature was worshiped and ancient Cretan deities were closely connected with its reproductive abilities.

This impressive small gorge of Hametoulo starts from the region of Ziros by an altitute of 6oom, but you can enter by the region of small and traditional village Hametoulo and ends at the beautiful beach south of Xerokambos. It is relatively easy to cross. It is about 3,0 km long and the altitude difference from the entrance to the exit is about 400 meters.

Access to Karoumes beach can be done only by walking in the gorge of Hochlakies, which starts east of the village of Hochlakies, since the rugged terrain of the area has kept off the roads. Thus, in order to come here you should leave your car in the picturesque village of Chochlakia and follow the trail that starts 1km east of the village.

Kato Zakros, Eastern Crete

Kato Zakros is a coastal village 8 km away from Pano Zakros at a magnificent bay. Is the most impressive small fishing village, hidden away in the east corner of Crete. Anyone staying in Kato Zakros will want to walk down the "Valley of the Dead", approximately a 2-hour walk, which leads down from Pano Zakros, to the sea at Kato Zakros

Opening hours: 8:30 - 3:00 - Tel.: 28430 26897

The first excavation in Kato Zakros was performed by the British D. Hogarth, in 1901. Then, the remains of a Minoan settlement came to the surface, indicating a flourished society. The most important of Hogarth's findings were the about 300 clay stamps on coins, indicating some sort of bureaucratic system of control or a number of commercial affairs.

Xerokambos beach and village is located 10 km south from Zakros village and 28km from Palekastro. In Xerokampos the landscape is arid and truly eerie, characterized by bare rocks and steep mountains. The vegetation is limited to bushes and there are some places with a few olive groves. A small tourist destination has started developing during the last years, especially after the roads were paved with asphalt.

Xerókampos (GR: Ξερόκαμπος) is a beautiful coastal settlement 10km far from Zakros village and 28km far from Palekastro, in a place of natural beauty.
The distance from Ziros is 20 km and from Heraklion airport 175 km. The wonderful beaches, the healthy climate and the important ancient places of interest attract both Greek and foreign visitors.