At the southern end of the long beach of Kalamaki a sandy track leads to Komos, one of the greatest sandy beaches of Heraklion province. In this area lay the Minoan settlement of Kommos, which was apparently the main port for Agia Triada and Phaistos. The site is at this time under excavation, nevertheless visitors can see some of the remains that have been revealed until now. An interesting sanctuary lies to the western side of the beach. Dorians built a 10th century temple here (one of the earliest in Greece), which was later replaced by another one probably erected by Phoenicians.

Walking along the gorge takes 6 to 8 hours and even though the path is downslope, visitors must have tough and convenient shoes and some phsyical strength.

The gorge begins at Xyloskalo, which taken by its greek name, means a wooden stairs leading down to a faster descent. The path then follows a riverbed along a beautiful forest with tall trees and magnificent view. In the middle of the gorge, there is a deserted village called "Samaria". There, a byzantine church of the 14th century is found, devoted to Sacred Mary of Egypt. She gave the name in the area, since the word "Samaria" is a syneresis of the greek phrase "Osia Maria" (Sacred Mary). The curch has some interesting wall paintings and it can be reached in the south part of the village from a path that begins at the helipad.

At the exit of the gorge there is the village of Agia Roumeli. You can spend the night there or take a boat to the villages of Loutro, Hora Sfakion, Sougia or Paleohora.

The visitor to Zaros has the opportunity to admire the wonderful mountainous landscape, the numerous monasteries and churches of the area, the traditional architectural style of the old houses, the small lake of Votomos, and experience the day to day life of local people.