Geopark Mt. Psiloreitis

Mt. Psiloreitis Natural Park – Unspoilt beauty

Mt. Psiloreitis Natural Park on Crete is a landscape of wild beauty, bound to move and stimulate travellers in equal measure. Gorges, caves, charming trails and dense forests make this a real outdoor natural history museum, while the area’s considerable biodiversity -comprised of unique endemic flora and fauna species- makes this a living natural tapestry.

The natural and man-made trails which spread out over the mountainsides are ideal for rambling and trekking, allowing walkers to come into direct contact with the primeval force of nature. The Mygia trail, the path from Doxaro to Ptyches Vossakou and the trail down the Platania Gorge are all well sign-posted and well maintained, the ideal choice for those among you who try to escape the hum-drum of day-to-day city life.
The heart of the entire Crete beats in the inland, in the roots of the ancient mountain of Idis, Psiloritis. This mountain is different from the other mountains of Crete. It is narrowide with a few peaks with the highest of all reaching the 2.456 m. Snow covers the main mountain chain almost the whole year through. Between the peaks spread coombs, gorges and table-lands such as Evdomos in Malevizi, Livadi in Krousonas as well as smaller such as Kserolimi and Vroulidia in Anogia and Nida with Idaion Andron, the cave in which, according to the myth, Zeus grew up.

The northern and western part of the mountain is full of large settlements from the Mylopotamos side, cultivations and many feeding grounds.
The southern and eastern side of the mountain, however, seems wilder because vertical cliffs start from the mountain tops and reach the down country of Heraklio and Mesara or end up in the valley of Amari. In this place there are settlements that are built in the root of the cliff so as to take advantage of the feeding grounds or spread around the fertile and cultivable mountainous areas. The large rivers cross the small valleys of the areas, such as Geropotapos at the northern side, Amarianos and Platis River on the southern side, Koutsolidis that starts from the forest of Rouvas as well as Lithaios that ends up in Ancient Gortina. Gorges that are the exits of water start from all the sides of the mountain as the water flows violently towards the sea as well as paths that cross the mountain since the ancient times. Shepherds’ shelters (mitato) are unique constructions in the wild landscape that interchange between rocky areas with kermes oak forests and humble endem¬ic plants and herbs. They are small, round, stone-built houses made of limestones in order to accommodate the stock breeders for dairy production. They spread around the Psiloritis areas.The rich nature of Psiloritis is ideal for stock-breeding activities in the mountain¬ous areas while in the low lands there are cultivations of olive trees for olive oil, vineyards for wine, dry goods and fruits.
People that live in the root of the mountain grew up listening to ancient and modern myths with points of reference the ancient sacred caves such as Idaion Andron, Patsos and Melidoni caves, the holocausts and the sacrifices for freedom but also the simple, everyday habits and the local customs, sustained and enhanced by the modern way of life.
Psiloritis is the land that inspires the creation and search of values. It is the land that allows you to live …as high as your dreams.