Livadi Plateau, Kroussonas
The Livadi (Lawn) Plateau of Kroussonas is located 9km west of the village Kroussonas and 35km southwest of Heraklion, on the eastern slopes of Psiloritis. It is a beautiful place to visit, especially in spring when the 300.000 pear and apple trees are blooming. The quiet green plateau with the background of the bare peaks of Psiloritis is a unique landscape.
The plateau can be accessed via a passable dirt road starting from Krousonas, which passes alongside the gorge of Kroussonas (or Gaidourorachi), and there are many signs leading there. Livadi has experienced an unprecedented period of economic growth during the recent years, as Krousonian landowners have built several agro units, which are full with tourists all year round.
Do not expect to see a lawn (Livadi means lawn), as the plateau takes its name after a beautiful grass prairie that once existed there, but was destroyed completely after the harmful interventions of the locals. Moreover, in many places the water form short lakes and via underground rivers, reach the cave of Sarhos and, from there, they move to the springs of Almyros.
Something surprising is that many churches have been built by locals, with the oldest church being that of St. John with the amazing view to Heraklion, called as the balcony of Crete. Other churches that you will see are St. Methodius, St. Haralambos, St. George and Fokas, St. Onoufrios, Agios Eleftherios and Emmanouel, the stone church of Agia Marina with the tall trees in its yard, and Santa Anna.
From the plateau, a dirt road leads to ancient Zominthos, where it meets the road linking Anogia to the Nida Plateau. Thus, an alternative route that someone could follow to explore Psiloritis is Livadi (rather than the classic road leading to Anogia via Tylissos).
