Amatou

The crag of Amatou came from an idea some 6-8 years ago when Petr Fiala first noticed these interesting rocks at the beginning of the canyon. However, it was still quite a long time before he started working there. First routes were opened in December 2016.
This crag is divided into two little sectors, first one on the left, north-east side of the canyon ( named "Cave") and second one lies on the opposite side (south-west), named "Lungs". Because of this, you could climb all day here depending on sun or shade. The right side ( lungs) is in shade in the morning until about noon. The shade comes to the left, north-east side also about noon. However, what attracts you probably here in summertime is good and quick access to the beaches of Amatou and Mazida. It takes you only five minutes to get from the rocks to the car and another three minutes to get to Mazida, which is one of the most amazing beaches in Crete. Thus you can combine your holiday time spending it partly climbing and partly with your family on the beach.
Climbing here is very specific because of natural forces that eroded surface of rocks into some wild shapes and forms. However the material is very favorable for climbing, neither sharp nor loose in most cases.

First climbing was established here in December 2016 by Petr Fiala and Karel Hronek.

Amatou belongs to the local group of crags surrounding the villages of Xerokambos and Zakros. There are at least ten canyons, that are close to each other and where climbing can be developed. Xerokambos has six of them, Zakros has three. Currently climbing is at the beginning here, only a tiny part of all possibilities is exploited.
This local cluster of crags has the potential to become one of the best climbing areas in Greece and this potential is still waiting to be discovered. Our Zakros team is working here hard, however, we are only a small group of climbers. We will be very happy to invite every climber to our team to help us with our effort.