DESCRIPTION:

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 found here.

The kernel of the forest is covered by cypress trees, and its surrounding vegetation consists of cypress, oak, maple, holly, wild olive and holm oak trees. Today, the wood can be accessed very easily because the nearest trail starts from the road and ends after 30 minutes of easy walking in the forest. The starting point of the path is located at position Favetoprinos, where there is an information kiosk and several benches with spectacular views of the area and the Tsivi Mountain. The kiosk has a detailed map of the local trails and the area attractions (caves, archaeological sites, springs, etc).

During hiking, we will meet lot of abandoned sheepfolds, which indicate the old use of the area by shepherds. Unfortunately, even today, the goats are still roaming in the area and destroy all the undergrowth and small trees, which results in the continuous degradation of the forest. Protecting the last of cypress grove of Dikti Range must be placed in the center of the ecological acts in Lassithi, so as this area does not follow the fate of the extinct cypress forests in Crete.

 

GENERAL:

Starting time: upon request

Location: Kritsa Village

Implementation period: All year round (upon request)

Route Type: Bidirectional

Activity duration with breaks: 4-5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Suitability: Suitable for all / No previous experience required

Route Type: circuit

 

                   

MORE INFO:

A long path of 10.18km that take up to 4hours and 30 minutes to finish, with all the stops needed. We walk through the forest of Krista up to the mountain of katharo and always have a really nice view of Krista village and Agios Nikolaos bay. As we go further inside the forest from the north side we discover ourselves being in the pure nature of the place and meeting a lot of, nowadays, abandoned old houses and sheep yards covered in vegetation.  In this route is possible to find a lot of various seeds and old of weeds to pick, and taste them later on when we finish our hiking tour.

  

 

INCLUDED:

Guide

Basic equipment if needed (hiking baton, helmet, climbing gear)

Trip planning – Sightseeing

Picnic with fruits and Traditional delicacies

Transfer from the exit point to the entry point (if necessary)

Liability insurance

All taxes