Gious Kambos Plateau
Plateau Gious Kambos is located on the western edge of mount Kedros, between the Amari valley and Spili, about 31km south of Rethymno. The name Gious Kambos means the plane of Eos, who in Greek mythology was the goddess of the Dawn. The plateau can be accessed through the villages Gerakari, Kissos, Spili or Patsos. If you come here, it is worth combining your visit with a tour in the villages of Amari, observe the nature, meet the traditional residents, visit the dam of Potami, hike at Kedros Mount with the numerous waterfalls, and discover the south shores of Rethymno.
What makes this small plateau very important is its ecological value. In the spring is filled with beautiful colors, as thousands of endemic red Cretan tulips (Tulipa doerfleri) form a reddish carpet. The species has been declared as protected by presidential decree in 1981, as it is found only in the plane of Gious, attracting many biologists from all over Europe every spring. Moreover, here grow many rare orchids; over five orchid species can coexist in one square meter in this important habitat of central Crete.
The spring of Agios Ioannis with the giant plane trees and gurgling water can refresh the visitors. In the fertile plateau vegetables are grown, known for their taste and prized for their nutritional value. The water from the small plateau feed the stream of Spili, the gorge of Kissos and the gorge of Agia Fotia.
