The route to the southern end of Lake Potamon Dam is the same as in Tip 7. Here at the southern end, however, turn left (sign: Apostoli 8 km/Fourfouras 15 km); keep left about 1 kilometer after Apostoli. At the junction in Agia Fotini, continue straight on and then take the road into the Amari Valley. In Assomatos (former monastery complex with great importance for local agriculture), keep left in the direction of Fourfouras. In Vizari, you will see a lake-like water reservoir on the right. The next town is Fourfouras, a larger town of regional importance, located directly at the foot of Psiloritis with its highest peak in Crete, Timios Stavros (2,456 m). The peak can also be climbed from Fourfouras. However, it is a demanding mountain tour.
Continue on this mountain road until you take the left turn behind the village of Apodoulou (note: Platanos 3 km). Then you drive through several small villages to Zaros. In the village there is a sign on the left side of a house: "Limni lake of Zaros" and turn left there. After about 2 km you reach a small artificial lake that you can easily walk around (on foot, of course). A beautiful hiking trail into the Rouvas Gorge also begins at the lake.
Zaros is known for two things: firstly for its excellent water, the quality of which has been awarded a gold medal and the title of "best drinking water in the world", and secondly for the range of fresh fish offered by various taverns (especially trout, which are not actually native to Crete and were/are brought here specifically because of the fresh water). The fish are kept in large tanks through which fresh spring water is constantly piped. This fish menu is popular with both locals and, of course, tourists. Many Cretans come here from Rethymno or Heraklion just to enjoy the fresh fish.
Then you go back along the road to the place where you turned off before. Now turn left here. You can now take a short stroll through the town of Zaros. Continue to the second petrol station called "Aegean", where you turn right behind it. After a short while there is a stretch of unpaved road. Then on your left you can see the artificial reservoir called "Techniti Limni Faneromenis".
At the intersection, take the asphalt road to the left towards Fragma/Galia/Mires. You quickly reach the dam, where you should stay straight until you reach the stop sign. Turn right there and then left at the next stop sign. At the next stop sign there is a small sign labeled "Timbaki"; then turn right. You quickly reach the main road, which you then follow to the right towards Rethymno.
(Small tip: if you do not turn off as described on the way from Zaros towards the reservoir and then after that, it is not a problem, because there are several other roads that also lead towards Timbaki). The main road then leads via Timbaki, past Agia Galini (you should take more time for this place and its surroundings than just a quick visit). Therefore, a separate trip there is recommended), Spili (described in tip 7) and Armeni (also tip 7) back to Rethymno and from there to the respective starting point.
