Nature

Chalkomatas or Charkomatas Gorge is located near the village Chamezi in Sitia Province and starts from the area where a dirt road starts ascending to the temple of Prophet Elijah and the fortress Liopetro. The vegetation in the gorge is low and the geological formations of limestone are impressive. 

At Cape Salamias, near the trail that connects Agios Ioannis with the beach of Salamias and almost above the sea level, the big cave of Peristeras is formed, which takes its name from the pigeons (peristeri in Greek) nesting in it.

The Cave Tafkos Giomatas is located near the village of Agia, province Mylopotamos, in the Talean Mountains at position Giomatas. It is one of the most beautiful caves in the prefecture of Rethymnon and was first explored by the Speological Club of Crete (SPOK) in 2003. The decoration consists of imposing curtains, stalagmites, stalactites and columns.

Timios Stavros or Kouloukonas (1076m) is the second highest peak of the Talean Mountains after Koutsotroulis (1084m). The top hosts the temple of the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros) and can be accessed from the village Apladiana through a dirt road initially and then through a hiking path.

Next to the road that connects the Apesokari with Lendas, we meet the imposing waterfall of Rectras, that has water only in the winter and after heavy rains. Its height reaches 50 meters and is the pride of the village.

The area of Agia Irini in Spilia is crossed by Keratos River, which has water till summer. The area hosts some waterfalls, most notable being the waterfall of about 4 meters in the river, just after the great aqueduct of Agia Irini. The rest of the waterfalls are formed at the side streams falling in Keratos, which however have water after intense rainfalls.

The Gorge Farangouli at Voriza is located in Psiloritis massif, in the area of the village Vorizia. It is one of the three parallel canyons of the area, with the most famous of all being the great Gorge of Vorizia. The shortest and most unknown is Farangouli, which starts in the village houses and climbs up steeply.

The small plateau of Monokara is located on Mount Ornos, at an altitude of about 750m. Access is possible from the villages Tourloti and Sfaka. On the plateau there is the picturesque temple of the Holy Cross and many cottages for stayingovernight in summer months, when locals keep crops of vines, apples, pears and walnut trees.