Forested Areas
Crete was once covered with forests from Chania to Sitia. Indeed, the mountains of Crete are still called Idi, meaning covered with trees! Unfortunately, these forests were completely destroyed by logging and fires. The few remaining forests are some the most beautiful landscapes in Crete and constitute a typical example of the vegetation that once covered the entire island. They are mainly covered with pine trees, hollies, cypresses and many more. Today, the scourge of the forest hears at the name of “overgrazing”, as all the mountains of Crete are full of goats that eat everything.
Selakano Wood
Kato Symi Wood
Rouvas Forest
Samaria National Park
Vai Palmgrove
Koudoumas pine forest
Sirikari Chestnut Wood
Preveli Palmgrove
Cypress wood of Kritsa
Fourni Wood
Chamoprina holly wood
Saint Anthony Palm grove
Carob wood of Treis Ekklisies
Saint Savvas Olive wood
Vromonero holly wood
Pefkias Wood, Vorizia
Thripti pine wood
Holm Oak Wood of Selena
Pardi Wood
Vatolakki Pine Wood
Keri Wood
Pashaligo Grove near Neapolis
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The forest of Selakano is a magnificent location on the southern slopes of Dikte Mount, next the town of Ierapetra. It consists mainly of pine trees and in the summer it is full of …bees, as it is the most productive apiculture spot in Crete. It is one of the most important ecosystems on the island and is protected under the international program Natura 2000.
One of the nicest villages in Crete is the forested village of Kato Simi by Viannos in Heraklion Prefecture. Together with the ruined village of Pano Simi, they lie in the heart of the largest pine forest of Crete, with the neighboring Selakano and Malles woods included. The whole area is full of water springs gathering water from the slopes of Dikti Range, that waters plane trees, walnut, cherry and many other species of trees. In autumn they give the area colorful scenery mostly reminiscent of parts of northern Greece.
The forest of Rouvas near Zaros is the largest ecosystem of Heraklion and the biggest holly grove in Europe, with unusually large and aged hollies. Here find shelter many rare plants and animals, away from the human presence.
The pine grove of Koudoumas is one of the few pine forests that are left on the island of Crete. An amazing journey either by car or hiking will surely leave unforgettable images in your mind.
Sirikari, located next to Kissamos, is one of the most beautiful areas of Crete. In the humid environment of the region a large grove of chestnut trees is formed, crossed by several water streams. Except from the wood, you should walk in Sirikariano canyon, till the ancient town of Polirinia.
The cypress wood of Kritsa is located about 10km west of Kritsa village, very close to the asphalt road that heads to the plateau of Katharo. It is formed across a deep ravine, at the southern foot of Mount Tsiva. The forest is in the middle of the ancient path that led Minoans to the plateau of Katharo, with many Minoan pottery remains still visible around.
The grove in Fourni, opposite Arhanes village, is located on a beautiful hill overlooking the sea and the mountain of Jiouktas. Here are the ruins of the largest prehistoric cemetery in the Aegean Sea and a small (modern) stone theater with panoramic view.
Chamoprina Wood is a small wood with low oak / holly trees, located 4km south of Malia town. It is covered with small oak trees, which are very densely planted and are protected by the local authorities.
The small palm grove of Saint Anthony is located next to the Monastery of St. Nikitas, in one of the most inaccessible places in Crete. An oasis in the middle of nowhere, the palm grove is now protected by goats and is studied under scientific research.
The carob wood of Tris Ekklisies is located west of the homonym settlement, on the southern slopes of Asterousia Mountains. It is the largest natural carob wood in Europe, a place completely unknown to all Cretans.
The Gorge of St. Savvas is the natural continuation of the canyon Trypiti, in the wild and imposing Asterousia mountains. In the arid landscape of Asteroussia Mts, the dense forest of the wild olive and carob trees looks like an oasis in the desert.
The wood of Vromonero is located on the eastern slopes of Mt Psiloritis, just below the observatory of Skinakas. Vromonero is a small plateau which hosts a dense evergreen holly and maple wood, being one of the only remaining woods in Crete and totally unknown to everybody.
Thripti pine wood is located at an altitude of 850m, near Pahia Ammos in Lassithi Prefecture. The scenic village of Thripti, the green landscapes and the unique pine forest in the mountains of Sitia, are some of the things that you will never forget when you come here.
The holm oak wood (Azilakodasos) of Selena is one of the nicest and most unknown places in Crete, where a rare species of holm oaks (Querkus ilex) live. The small,but dense wood can be accessed via the dirt roads leading to the region of Selena, the peak near Krassi village. 
Pardi Wood is located on the southwestern slopes of Mount Psiloritis, where the mountains mingle with the valley of Amari and shape unique scenery. Endowed by nature and unknown to many people, Pardi is an ideal choice for a memorable Sunday excursion.
Vatolakki is located near the village of Kissos, 33km southeast of Rethymno city, close to the exit of Kissano Gorge. The forest covers an area of 600 acres and is an important green “lung” in the area of Kedros Mount.
Keri grove is located at an altitude of 300 meters, 9km west of Heraklion, near Voulismeno Aloni and south of the gorge Almyros. It can be accessed via a short dirt road that starts about 300m after Voulismeno Aloni. It is a new forest of pine and some cypress trees in places
Paschaligo is a small grove located 1.5 km southwest of Neapolis town, on the northern slopes of Mt Kavalaras. The existence of the forest is related to the history of the region, which was named after the Venetian feudal lord Fillipo Pasqualigo, who lived in a tower that was built here.