Nature

The Lammergeier, Lammergeyer or bearded vulture (scient. Gypaetus barbatus) is the rarest species of vulture out of the four that exist in Europe, which’s population has declined dramatically in Greece and it’s in imminent danger of extinction. During the last decades the species was widespread throughout Greece, but today is limited only to the island of Crete. 

West of the village Ano Asites the river that initially is the gorge of Saint Haralabos and then crosses the village soon turns into a deep and spectacular gorge, the gorge of St. Anthony.

The Gorge of Havgas is located very close to the village Kalamafka, just 12km north of the city of Ierapetra. Note that there are several other gorges with the same name around Crete, such as the Havgas Gorge in Lassithi Plateau.

Stena is located 75km southwest of Heraklion, just 500m west of Kali Limenes harbor. It is situated in a secluded bay, which is hidden beyond the hill with the church and the cave of St. Paul. According to the legend, the Apostle lived inside this cave for 2 years. Stena can be accessed via a downhill dirt road, 400m long, starting in Kali Limenes. The route, of course, can be easily walked.

West of Lendas you'll meet the small village of Tsigounas with the small beach of Limanaki (harbor) used as a local harbour, due to its protected orientation. Tsigounas name derives from the word tsigounis (stingy) referring to a local spring with a small quantity of water.

Along the peninsula Kavo Sidero (starting from Analoukas), there are several small secluded beaches. One of them is Mavros Kavos (or Hohlakia) which is accessed by dirt road. It is generally wavy and you will almost be alone.

The canyon of Asfendou is one of the many gorges in Sfakia province, starting from deserted hamlet of Asfendou that currently houses some local sheep herders. Along the canyon runs a passable but steep trail, parallel to the streambed. In many places the Libyan sea is visible.

Misiria get their name from the Arabic word Misr, which is a suburb of Cairo with very fertile soil. Similarly, the region is named Misiria because of the fertile land, which still produces many vegetables.