Nida Plateau
Nida Plateau is high in the mountains of Crete in Greece. Found in the mountain range known as Psiloritis, the plateau is 1500 meters from sea level and has a place in Greek mythology. The plateau is 60 km south west from Iraklion, stop or stay at the notorious mountain village of Anogia to get the flavour of these wild mountains. 24 km higher up in the mountains from Anogia and totally unpopulated, the Nida Plateau is a high grazing ground for sheep in spring. At many times of the year it is cut off; completely snow-bound. The highest peak in Crete is Mount Ida. The nick-name for this mountain is Psiloritis, meaning ‘tall one’. We have made another page about the
Psiloritis range.
Shepherds in these hills have built stone huts, for there is very little else in these forbidding hills. Called mitata, there is a picture of one below.
There is a little chapel on a hill overlooking the Nida Plateau with its back to Zeus Cave. It has a lovely garden ideal for a picnic and some oak trees. Otherwise it is just the mountain range, the sky, cliffs and mountain air. We found complete and utter peace on the plateau. The air is clear, our breath sharp and crisp.
We wandered as if we were the only ones ever to discover this lush hidden plateau. It is so refreshing to see so little development of such a famous place. Apparently the cave is now being restored and further archaeological digs are underway, so it is temporarily inaccessible for visitors. Of course walkers come here very often as it is part of the E4 European walking path. Also there is one small building which houses a ski shop and a café in season. The only company we had was this sad donkey who seemed to be on his last legs.
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