Psiloritis

October 03-04

Psiloritis, the stone giant of Crete, a boundary between earth and sky, commands the entire island with its wild beauty. Mountain villages on the edge of cliffs, unique caves, impressive karst formations, shady gorges, small plateaus, and bare alpine zones create an unparalleled setting.

The Ida mountain range, better known as Psiloritis, reveals Crete in all its glory through its cloud-covered peaks. The mass of the White Mountains to the west, the Dikti (Lasithi Mountains) to the east, the plain of Messara, the Asterousia Mountains, and the vastness of the Libyan Sea to the south, Heraklion and Rethymno with the backdrop of the Cretan Sea to the north. Among the many peaks of its main mountain mass, the five largest stand out: Timios Stavros (2,456 m), Agathias (2,424 m), Stolistra (2,325 m), Voulomenou (2,267 m), and Kousakas (2,209 m).

For almost half the year, it is covered with snow, which melts in spring, feeding its underground rivers and deep caves with vast amounts of water. The ruggedness of the landscape exudes a Doric simplicity and nobility, fully intertwined with the character of the people living here, most of whom are shepherds. As true descendants of Cretan-born Zeus, they are hospitable, proud, spirited, tough, but with an open, sensitive, and wise soul seeking the deeper meaning of life in the simplicity of things.

In the past, as Herodotus also testifies, Psiloritis was covered by dense forests where all the wild animals of the Cretan fauna lived, including the Cretan wild goat (kri-kri). Today, the remaining forests are few. The largest, the oak forest of Rouvas near Gergeri, Heraklion, hosts endemic and rare species of plants and animals, such as the Cretan wildcat. Other smaller forests can be found on the plateau of Vromonero near Kroussonas, Heraklion, on the slopes of Zaros, and at Pardi near Amari, Rethymno. The bare mountain peaks are dominated by rare birds of prey, such as vultures, buzzards, falcons, and golden eagles.

In 2001, the Psiloritis Natural Park was established, which has also been included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, thus achieving worldwide recognition of this place. Beautiful hiking trails have been developed within the Park, revealing the natural and geological secrets of the mountain.

Myth and history have left their indelible marks on Psiloritis. From ancient times and for many centuries, it was a sacred place of worship. The famous Ideon Cave, the cradle of the Father of gods and men, Zeus, is what first bestowed such glory and sanctity upon the mountain. Nearby, halfway along the route from Anogeia to the cave, lies the archaeological site of Zominthos, where the largest Minoan villa has been excavated, preserved in good condition.

A series of towns and beautiful villages surround the base of Psiloritis. In the mountainous Mylopotamos, with its capital Anogeia, you will meet authentic Cretans and enjoy the proverbial Cretan hospitality. A short distance from Anogeia, the road leads to Skinakas, another peak of Psiloritis. Here, under the care of the University of Crete, the Skinakas Observatory operates. On the Nida Plateau (1,450 m), the mitata, stone-domed shepherds’ shelters and dairies, are scattered, impressing with their wise construction.

Day 1

Our meeting will take place in the city of Rethymno (port or airport), and then we will head up to the mountains and to Lakos tou Mygerou at an altitude of 1670 m.

From here begins the paved-stone path, the famous Strata of Psiloritis, which will lead us to the highest peak of Crete at 2456 m. At the summit stands the chapel of Timios Stavros and a well filled by rain and snow.

From the summit, we can see most of Crete and, of course, some of the Aegean islands like Santorini and Milos.

Return via the same route and continue to a local café in Anogeia for raki and Cretan flavors.

4 – 5 hours of hiking.

Day 2

After our breakfast overlooking the Mylopotamos valley, we will start an interesting hike to Agios Yakinthos, starting from the location <Πάνω Αμπέλια> of Anogeia at an altitude of 900 m.

With the help of forest roads and the European E4 trail, we cross forests of maples and oaks to reach the location of Fournos, where the stone chapel of Agios Yakinthos is located. (For his love of Christ, he was declared the saint of Orthodox lovers and is celebrated on July 3.) After our break, we continue towards Lakos tou Gaitani and, following the old path from the location Megala Plagia, we end up at the starting point with a vast view up to the Chania cape. 4 – 5 hours of hiking.

Essential equipment: