Nature

The plateau of Evdomos is located 3km southeast of the village Gonies, at an altitude of 780m. The plateau is actually divided into two smaller plateaus, the Kato Lakos and Ano Lakos plateaus. Nowadays Evdomos plateau is mainly used for stockbreeding. The name Evdomos is believed to come from the Greek word Evosmos, that means sweet-smelling as it used to be full of flowers in spring time.

Strouboulas is the first peak that one can see from Heraklion when looking to the west. The height of the tops is 798 meters above sea level, a small altitude compared to the surrounding mountains and the range of Psiloritis it actually belongs. What makes Strouboulas special and beloved by the locals is its shape reminiscent of the pyramid or volcano when looking from Heraklion. In fact, however, its shape is elongated from east to west but from the city it looks like a perfect pyramid.

The monastery of Koudoumas is located 74km south of Heraklion, on the western side of Cape Martelos and south of Kofinas Peak (the highest peak of Asterousia Mountains). The whole area is full of cavities where hermits used to live. To reach the monastery, you have to drive in a passable dirt road of 20km, starting from the village Sternes, which descends from an altitude of 1000m to the sea level. The views during the descent are shocking and could cause vertigo! The route passes between pine and cypress trees, many of which are bent by the wind..

Very beautiful small canyon that starts from Meseleri village and after turning to a wide river, it waters of the dam of Bramiana. The vegetation consists mainly of pine trees, while its main feature are the striking eroded rocks and sides.

The lake and the river Almyros in the area of ​​Georgioupolis form one of the most important wetlands of western Crete. In the lake, we find many aquatic birds and aquatic plants like reeds, myrtles, and oleanders. The lake is natural and is watered by the water of the White Mountains. The bank has been formed in order to assist in the operation of a small 300kW hydroelectric power station.

This plane tree forms a small oasis in the monastery of Saint John Giona, contrary to the arid and eerie landscape around. It is said that a weird phenomenon takes place here, as the leafs of the plane tree are from the other side than usual.

Between Kalogeros beach and the harbor of Maschalis (the west port of Agia Roumeli) some beaches are formed in caves that the locals call them Caves in Marble. These caves are formed in the whitish hard rock of the area and constitute a unique hideout for nature lovers. They can be accessed easily either by a canoe from Agia Roumeli or even by swimming.

The Gorge of Ethia, officially known as Vorno, is located south of Heraklion, at the Asterousia Range. It starts from the village Ethia and, after tearing Asterousia northwards, it finishes at the plain of Messara, between the villages and Rotasi and Mesochori.