Lasithi plateau
There are several caves of archaeological interest in the plateau and surrounding mountains. The Psychro Cave (Greek: Δικταίον Άντρον, also Diktaean / Diktaian Cave) in the Dikti mountains near the village of Psychro (Greek: Ψυχρό) is reputedly the birthplace of Zeus according to Greek Mythology. Zeus is also said to have used the cave as his hiding place after abducting Europa. The archeological site of Karfi, believed to be the last outpost of the Minoan civilization is located in the mountains immediately north of the plateau.
Katharo plateau
Katharo is a plateau on the Dikti mountain on the island of Crete, in the regional unit of Lassithi.
at an average altitude of 1,150 m (3,770 ft) above sea level, (300 m (980 ft) higher than Lasithi Plateau). On the West of the Katharo are the peaks of Spathi (2,148 m (7,047 ft)) and Lazaros (2,085 m (6,841 ft)), and on the North East and East are the peaks of Tsivi (1,665 m (5,463 ft)) and Platia Koryfi (1,485 m (4,872 ft)). The waters of the Plateau drain through the Havgas gorge into the much larger but lower Plateau of Lassithi, i.e. Katharo is part of river Aposelemis drainage area.
Due to its altitude the plateau is not inhabited in winter; in summer it has about 500 inhabitants, mainly shepherds and a few tavernas. Katharo has a special property status and is essentially community-owned. The fertile soil of the plateau is used for production of vegetables, potatoes and fruit (grapes, pears, apples).
Richtis Gorge
Richtis Gorge (Greek: Φαράγγι του Ρίχτη, Faraggi tou Richti) is a gorge in Crete, Greece (Map of Richtis Gorge here). It is a state protected park near Exo Mouliana, Sitia, eastern Crete (Greece) that starts at the traditional village Exo Mouliana, which is located on the national road between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia and ends at the secluded Richtis beach, just east of the village Kalavros. The hiking trail is about 4 km in length of moderate (spring/summer/autumn) to hard (winter) difficulty.
Sarakina gorge
The Sarakina Gorge (also Myrtos Canyon, after the nearby coastal village of Myrtos) is a canyon in the southeastern part of Crete, Greece. It is located about 15 km west of Ierapetra and a few kilometres upcountry of Myrtos, near the small village of Mithi. Its length is about 1.5 km and the width between 3 and 10 meters, only at a few point it reaches more. The height of the walls peaks at approximately 150 m. The river of Kriopotamos flows through the gorge, which carries water at varying levels during the year, due to moist winters and arid summers.
Paschalígo
A nice small forest up from Neapoli - Voulismeni.
Drasi Park - Water Fountain
Its has fresh water from fountain all year around a very nice place for picnic!
Kavousi ancient olive tree
The Tree is amazing but the little taverna next is worth the journey on its own
THis is an amazing olive tree just huge and soooo old its almost incomprehensible how old it is. The road is a little scary but dont be put off its never that bad and its not one these roads that gets worse and worse and you can turn round
If you like a fairly tough hike it makes a good focus.
Milatos cave
Milatos cave lies in a steep gorge, NE of the village that bears the same name. It has been connected with the historical events of 1823. Here 3,700 women and children sought refuge after escaping the fierce troops of Hassan Pasha. After a long siege and a forced surrender, they were massacred by the Turks. Stalactites and stalagmites abound in the cave. A chamber in its southern part harbours a chapel wherein a mass is celebrated once a year, on the feast day of Agios Thomas in commemoration of the massacred Cretans.
Kroustas Forest Historical Park - Panoramic Bay View
In the area of the park (which has a future size ca. 4 sq km) 77 Minoan sites are situated, with 20 of the ruins still standing 1,5 m or higher. These finds were documented by Sabine Beckmann between 2003 and 2012.
Kyparissódasos
The cypress wood of Kritsa is located about 10km west of Kritsa village, very close to the asphalt road that heads to the plateau of Katharo. It is formed across a deep ravine, at the southern foot of Mount Tsiva. The forest is in the middle of the ancient path that led Minoans to the plateau of Katharo, with many Minoan pottery remains found here.
The kernel of the forest is covered by cypress trees, and its surrounding vegetation consists of cypress, oak, maple, holly, wild olive and holm oak trees.