Kedros

Amari valley is formed between the Mountains Kedros and Psiloritis, at an altitude of 400-500m and is 25km long. It is the natural passage from the north to south Rethymno and Messara Plain. For its central location, it was the theater of several historical events, especially during the Ottoman rule.

Gorge Smiliano or Kalamafka is located north of the village Ano Meros, about 100km southwest of Heraklion city. Through the gorge runs the Lygiotis river which is supplied by the valleys of Gerakari and the slopes of Samitos Mount. The canyon has a lot of water in winter and crossing it, by any means, is very tough.

The pond of Orne village is located at an altitude of 300m at the southeastern slopes of Mount Kedros, only 500m northeast of the village Orne. The distance from Rethymnon is about 50km.

The route starts from Spili, reaches the spring of Agia Fotia, and then ascends to Kissos. It comes above the Monastery of the Holy Spirit and climbs to the summit of Mount Kedros (1776 m.). From there we go back and meet the trail that leads to the Church of the Prophet Elijah and descends to Gerakari. This route is a part of the European E4 trail.

Kissano Gorge is located 1km north of Kissos village, in Amari valley, and 34km southeast of Rethymnon, connecting the village το the small plateau of Gious Kambos. It is a short, but beautiful gorge, crossed by the rural road of the area.

The red tulip of Crete (Tulipa doerfleri) is one of the 5 endemic tulip species of Crete. It grows exclusively at the small plateau of Gious Cambos, by Amari Valley, at an altitude ranging from 700-800m. In spring (April) this small plateau is covered by a red carpet made of tulips.

At the south slopes of Kedros Mount, at position Rechtres, and over the village Platanes (Rethymno Prefecture), there is the wild and dangerous gorge of Platanes.

Above Krya Vryssi we meet one of the highest waterfalls in Crete, the waterfall of the wild gorge Gre Daphne, known as Rechtas. It has water until spring and falls from a height of 100m! A little further down, in the ravine of Gre Daphne, there is the rock climbing field of Krya Vryssi.