Nature

At the coast between Panagia Charakiani and the hill Kefali, with the archeological findings, a bit west of Holy 318 Fathers, we meet the area of Propatoumenos. Propatoumenos means the area that can be walked, as there was a trail to the nearby ancient town of Astali, by Bali.

The Plateau of Lapathos is located about 77km southeast of Heraklion and 36km west of Ierapetra, near Kato Symi village. It is a small but beautiful plateau. The background of the plateau is the wild beauty of the Lasithi mountains and the slopes of Selakano. The vegetation in the Plateau is not dense and there are many rocky places.

The shelter of Tavri is located at an altitude of 1200m at the plateau of Tavri, by Askyfou. It can be access by walking 1:30 hours in the cypresswooded trail starting from village Ammoudari (or dricing a 7.5km long dirt track). From this refuge you can walk to Kastro peak, cross Sfakiano or Kavi Gorges.

Atziganospilios is located within short distance (10 min) from the village of Adrianos, in site Koukistres. It is about 25km southwest of Agios Nikolaos and belongs to the village of Zenia, which you meet as you ascend to the Plateau of Lassithi through the road starting in Neapolis.

The European rabbit (scient. Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a closely related species to hare, which has been introduced on the island of Crete by humans (many confuse that with hare). Despite the many predators on Crete, the rabbit reproduced rapidly and is now spread across the island of Crete and several smaller islets around it.

The Peregrine Falcon (scient Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the "Duck Hawk" in North America is one of the fastest birds in the world and the most powerful falcon in Greece. In Crete you will meet that mostly in wild and rocky areas, away from humans.

In Omalos there is nothing, except from the small chapel dedicated to the Holly Spirit. The plateau is only used by local shepherds during the summer months. On every winter the plateau is dressed in white, making the landscape very beautiful. When the snow melts in the center of the plateau a small lake is formed, which is still there till early summer.

The olive tree has been declared by the Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities as a natural monument due to huge size and its location near the postminoan settlement of Kolydra. Its site is named Lakkos and hosts numerous ancient trees, with this specific tree being 3000 years old.