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Mount Kofinas, the highest summit (1231 m) of the Asterousia Mountains, is a bare, rugged mountain. On its southern slopes there are woods with Pinus brutia and small patches of Cupressus sempervirens. The dominant vegetation type is phrygana and there are many areas affected by regular overgrazing by sheep and goats. There are also intermittent streams running down to the sea.
The importance of this site consists in Mount Kofinas providing nesting places for big birds of prey, such as gyps fulvus (the griffon vulture) and, notably of the very rare Gypaetus barbatus. Other interesting birds of prey are present in the site. The area hosts endemic and protected plant species and interesting endemic snails. The existence of a well conserved pinewood and of the Cupressus sempervirens patches is also important.
The whole site is of archaeological importance, with very interesting caves with prehistoric remnants, archaeological relics and temples, Byzantine monasteries etc. Due to its morphology; the whole area of Asterousia mountains is a Natural Beauty Landscape.
The site includes the eastern range of the massif of Asterousia Ori on southern Crete. The marine area covers less than 1% of the site and includes the sandy beach where careta careta, sea turtle, lays its eggs. The coastline is rocky and intended with bays and small capes and numerous caves. Notably, there is a small thicket of Phoenix theophrastii at Agios Nikitas cove (near Achendrias).The marine habitats, posidonia beds and reefs are in excellent condition and monk seals live in the marine caves.
Moni (monastery) Koudouma is a unique opportunity to visit this secluded and virgin area of south Crete. You can do that either from Kapetaniana or from Sternes village. From Kapetaniana you may walk (or drive if you have a genuine 4x4 car) down to Agios Ioannis coastal village (2 hrs). When you get to the village, ask them to show you the way to Agios Ioannis church; it is a church built inside a cave and there are some spectacular wall-paintings
From the village you may follow the path to Koudoumas Monastery (1hr 30 min). Thirty minutes before the monastery there is the cave of Agios Antonios with a church built inside; a torch-light will be useful.
From Koudoumas you may either return the same way or walk up the road (it is the road coming from Sternes) to Mt Kofinas and Kapetaniana (about 4 -5 hrs). This road is much better than the road from Kapetaniana to Agios Ioannis but still in need for a proper vehicle. It is a really scenic route as the road is steeply descending from 1000 m to sea-level, through woods of pine trees.
Another approach to Moni Koudouma is driving from Kapetaniana to Mt Kofinas and then turn the first turn right. If you go this way then you may reach Agios Ioannis by feet. Another great place is Psili Ammos; it is described in the naturism section of the site.
The importance of this site consists in Mount Kofinas providing nesting places for big birds of prey, such as gyps fulvus (the griffon vulture) and, notably of the very rare Gypaetus barbatus. Other interesting birds of prey are present in the site. The area hosts endemic and protected plant species and interesting endemic snails. The existence of a well conserved pinewood and of the Cupressus sempervirens patches is also important.
The whole site is of archaeological importance, with very interesting caves with prehistoric remnants, archaeological relics and temples, Byzantine monasteries etc. Due to its morphology; the whole area of Asterousia mountains is a Natural Beauty Landscape.
The site includes the eastern range of the massif of Asterousia Ori on southern Crete. The marine area covers less than 1% of the site and includes the sandy beach where careta careta, sea turtle, lays its eggs. The coastline is rocky and intended with bays and small capes and numerous caves. Notably, there is a small thicket of Phoenix theophrastii at Agios Nikitas cove (near Achendrias).The marine habitats, posidonia beds and reefs are in excellent condition and monk seals live in the marine caves.
Moni (monastery) Koudouma is a unique opportunity to visit this secluded and virgin area of south Crete. You can do that either from Kapetaniana or from Sternes village. From Kapetaniana you may walk (or drive if you have a genuine 4x4 car) down to Agios Ioannis coastal village (2 hrs). When you get to the village, ask them to show you the way to Agios Ioannis church; it is a church built inside a cave and there are some spectacular wall-paintings
From the village you may follow the path to Koudoumas Monastery (1hr 30 min). Thirty minutes before the monastery there is the cave of Agios Antonios with a church built inside; a torch-light will be useful.
From Koudoumas you may either return the same way or walk up the road (it is the road coming from Sternes) to Mt Kofinas and Kapetaniana (about 4 -5 hrs). This road is much better than the road from Kapetaniana to Agios Ioannis but still in need for a proper vehicle. It is a really scenic route as the road is steeply descending from 1000 m to sea-level, through woods of pine trees.
Another approach to Moni Koudouma is driving from Kapetaniana to Mt Kofinas and then turn the first turn right. If you go this way then you may reach Agios Ioannis by feet. Another great place is Psili Ammos; it is described in the naturism section of the site.
This remote beach is in a rugged area about 2 km west of the village Tris Ekklisies (Three Churches) in Asterousia mountains in Heraklion prefecture and 67 km far from Heraklion city. Its feature is that it has a small width and rear there are the huge Asterousia Mountains.
We recommend access by boat, as there are characteristic caves in the water close to the location. It is very difficult to access the beach on foot (which we do not reccomment), and you have to get a boat from the village. The seabed is rocky and very ideal for fishing.
Combined with the turquoise waters they create eye-catching colours. Also, there is a relatively difficult dirt road, which leads close to shore as we move towards the west and we can visit the area by vehicle 4x4, enjoying the rugged scenery. A second dirt road passes over the hills of the beach and ends a few hundred meters to the west over the rough rocks of Asterousia.
Finally, the path Tris Ekkllisies - Froudia is suitable for hikers. Especially the second track is particularly interesting since it passes through a rare carob forest (locust tree forest), which is the largest in Greece. It spans almost the entire side of Asterousia, west of Tris Ekkllisies. The locust trees are planted, while sparse, but give an impressive overall picture as you approach the forest from the Tris Ekkllisies.
The main route to Tris Ekklisies arrea is from Harakas (south Messara plain) - Paranimfi - Tris Ekkllisies.
We recommend access by boat, as there are characteristic caves in the water close to the location. It is very difficult to access the beach on foot (which we do not reccomment), and you have to get a boat from the village. The seabed is rocky and very ideal for fishing.
Combined with the turquoise waters they create eye-catching colours. Also, there is a relatively difficult dirt road, which leads close to shore as we move towards the west and we can visit the area by vehicle 4x4, enjoying the rugged scenery. A second dirt road passes over the hills of the beach and ends a few hundred meters to the west over the rough rocks of Asterousia.
Finally, the path Tris Ekkllisies - Froudia is suitable for hikers. Especially the second track is particularly interesting since it passes through a rare carob forest (locust tree forest), which is the largest in Greece. It spans almost the entire side of Asterousia, west of Tris Ekkllisies. The locust trees are planted, while sparse, but give an impressive overall picture as you approach the forest from the Tris Ekkllisies.
The main route to Tris Ekklisies arrea is from Harakas (south Messara plain) - Paranimfi - Tris Ekkllisies.
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