Nature

The badger of Crete or arcalos (scient. Meles meles arcalus) is an endemic subspecies of the common badger. It is a carnivorous mammal resembling a bear with short legs and relatively long body (70-95 centimeters) and short tail (15 centimeters), while it can weight up 20 kilos.

The Gorge Selinari is located about 45km east of Heraklion and 21km west of Agios Nikolaos, on the eastern slopes of Selena Mount. It is well known to all Cretans, because the National Road from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos runs along the gorge.

Kavousi Canyon is located near Keratokambos (near Ano Viannos, south Heraklion) in Dikti Mountain. The total length is 1km and the altitudinal difference between entrance and exit is 170m.

The shelter is located at Lakos Migerou position by Livadia, and is accessible by paved road. From here starts the shortest path to the top of Holy Cross, the highest on Psiloritis Mount. The shelter is manged by the Cultural Association of Livadia village (+30 2834061489). The shelter has 6 beds, wc, water and fireplace.

Psira is a small uninhabited islet located 1 mile north of Tholos beach, situated at the northeastern edge of the Gulf of Mirabello. In Psira a Minoan settlement of 15-20 acres has been found, being one of the most important sites in Crete.

Platani is located 7km west of Sitia and 60km east of Agios Nikolaos. To get to this point you should follow the road leading to Faneromeni Monastery, starting at the village Skopi. 2km after Skopi, just before the monastery, two neighboring small pebbly beaches are shaped with crystal clear waters. The first, known as Agii Pantes is formed at the exit of the lush Agii Pantes gorge, that is easily accessed via a hiking trail.

“Tou Meri to Pigadi” is located 8km northwest of Kissamos and 44km west of Chania, on the eastern side of Cape Gramvousa. The name means “Meri’s well”, probably named after the name of someone, who owned a well.

Fratiano Gorge is one of the long canyons of Rethymno Prefecture, running alongside Kourtaliotiko Gorge and crossing Xiro Oros Mount. Its entrance is located 23km southeast of Rethymnon, next to the village Frati, and it mouth is located near the exit of the gorge Kourtaliotiko.