Kouroupa

The mountainous area of the White Mountains extends to the east of Sfakia, south of the prefecture of Rethymnon, creating a small mountain range parallel to the coastal zone of the prefecture, including the main peaks of Kryoneritis and Kouroupa.

Mount Kouroupa is the geological continuation of the White Mountains with the highest peak reaching 1,001m. (984m according to the Army Geographical Service). Other peaks are Korakias at 736m that was a Minoan place of worship since ancient times and Kyrimanou at 805m. that was a settlement of the ancient Cretans between the 12th and the 8th century BC. To the southeast of the mountain is the Kourtaliotis Gorge and to the west the Kotsifos Gorge. At the top of Kouroupa there is a telecommunication antenna and the church of the Holy Spirit (Agio Pnevma), which was built in place of the old homonymous temple, which is located next to the new one and is half-destroyed. The top is accessible on foot or with a 4WD car from two dirt roads. One starts at the village of Atsipades and the other from the village of Koxare, both on the northeastern side of the mountain. On the south side are the villages Asomatos, Mariou and Myrthios, while the north part hosts the settlement Kanevos. The mountain is difficult to hike as its terrain consists of pointing and sharp rocks and steep ravines that make it quite dangerous. Also in the mountain in the winter, unexpected fog and high rainfall often prevail, while the humidity is increased throughout the year. From the top of the mountain the visitor has a view of the South Cretan Sea, the east part of Sfakia, southern Rethymnon and villages of Western Rethymnon.

This area on the southern coast of Rethymno prefecture is very important for the preservation of the bearded vulture, as one of the only last four breeding couples of Crete and the Balkans is reproduced here (2017). There are also other priority species such as griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) 15 breeding couples), golden eagle (one couple) and Bonelli's eagle (one couple). The importance of the area for predators is also explained by its geographical position since Kouroupa is a connecting link between the mountains of the White Mountains and those of Central and South-East Crete (Psiloritis and Kedros)..