⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗

This range lies between Heraklion and Lassithi. Its highest summit is Spathi (2.148 m) and there are two more peaks at an altitude of more than 2000m.

Lassithi Plateau, the largest in Crete, lies at the heart of the range at an altitude of 850 m. It is surrounded by a series of smaller plateaus such as Katharo, Limnakaro, Mari, Lapathos, Omalos, Erganos and Nisimos. There is a mountain shelter at Limnakaro from where hikers ascend to Spathi.

Several gorges are found in the range of Lassithi. Apart from the two gorges named Havgas at Katharo and Kalamafka, there are more canyons such as Sarakina, Adrianos, Ambelos, Roza and Kritsa.

The Dikti range has shown a significant diversity in flora and fauna. The lower mountain sides are covered by olive, carob and pine trees. To the south-east, Selakano is the largest pine wood of Crete and close to the village Krasi lies the holm oak wood of Azilakodasos.

The fertile plateaus and valleys of the Dikti range produce a large variety of agricultural products: potatoes, vegetable, pears, apples, walnuts, cherries, etc. Livestock breeding (sheep and goats) is yet another traditional activity in this region. The famous Diktaean Cave where Zeus is said to have been born is open to the public.

What to see on the Diktaean Range:

Shelter Strovili (Limnakaro)

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The shelter is located at position Strovili at an altitude of 1533m over Limnakaro Plateau at Dikti Range. It can be accessed either by walking 2:30 hours from Avrakontes village or by driving the dirt road from there. From here one can hike to the peaks Spathi (2148m) and Afendis Christos (2141m). The shelter can accommodate 12 people. . It is available upon request to its operator, i.e. the Mountaineering Club of Lasithi (www.fysi.gr).

Lapathos Plateau

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The Plateau of Lapathos is located about 77km southeast of Heraklion and 36km west of Ierapetra, near Kato Symi village. It is a small but beautiful plateau. The background of the plateau is the wild beauty of the Lasithi mountains and the slopes of Selakano. The vegetation in the Plateau is not dense and there are many rocky places.

Omalos Lake at Viannos

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In Omalos there is nothing, except from the small chapel dedicated to the Holly Spirit. The plateau is only used by local shepherds during the summer months. On every winter the plateau is dressed in white, making the landscape very beautiful. When the snow melts in the center of the plateau a small lake is formed, which is still there till early summer.

Erganos Plateau

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The small plateau of Erganos is located at an altitude of 950m at the southern slopes of Dikti Mounts and takes its name after the ancient town of Erganos that was built on the adjacent peak Kefali. The plateau is used today for growing vines, while the views of the surrounding wooded peaks and the valley of Embaros is very nice.

Dikti

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