Crete, the sunny island in the blue Aegean sea, offers a mild but stimulating climate, clean air, excellent quality sea water and pleasant sea breeze. As with many of the other Mediterranean islands Crete is one large limestone mountain. It is rather long (290km) and thin (15-60km) with the main settlement and tourist areas in a narrow strip on the north coast.

Wildflowers, including many orchids, grow in profusion. There are more than 2000 different plant species on Crete with approximately 10% being indigeneous in the island. The Cretan flora is especially rich in herbal and pharmaceutical plants like oregano, thyme and labdanum . Indeed quite a big percentage of these are collected, dried and sold to the local market and abroad.There is also an amazing variety of flowers, like tulips, cyclamen, orchids etc. Due to the climate and the land terrain the blossoming period lasts for more than 6 months (March to October). Finally Crete is the northern point on the globe where certain African trees are encountered , like cedar and palm and tamarisk.

Although mountains run from east to west across the island, the most rugged and handsome are the Dikti (or Lassithi Mountains) in the east, Lefka Ori (White Mountains) in the west, and Ida or Psiloritis in central Crete. The land is dissected by dramatic gorges that form small, fertile valleys and isolated plains high in the mountains and give rise to some of the most spectacular views that are framed against the Libyan Sea to the south and the Cretan Sea on the north.The mountains maintain an aura of impregnability that is substantiated by any map of Crete. Roads partially encircle this stark, lonely region but the only passage through is by following the old footpaths created by shepherds and their animals.

Click on a thumbnail to view the image.

Aradena Gorge.One of the most famous and important gorges in Crete.	On the way from Aradena to Agios Ioannis.The paradise of mountain walkers.	Imbros.Preparation for a mountain journey
The peak of the Dikti mountain called Afentis Christos (2141m) In the background you can see Asterousia Mountains.	View from the peak of Dikti (2148m) to Ierapetra Bay and Libyan sea.	From the peak Dikti you have the best view to Lassithi plateau. In the background you can see Iraklion - Malia bay.
From Lassithi plateau on the pathway to Males, south-east side of Dikti Mounts.	From Anopolis (in Sfakia) on the pathway to Kallergi Lodge. All the peaks you can see, are more than 2200m high.	The luminous Cretan Mountains under the sun of February
Cretan Mountains ideal for motorbike touring at any season	From the peak Trocharis (2400m) to the northern part of the White Mountains.

 

 

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