This page may contain affiliate links, see our disclaimer here.

Mt Psiloritis

Crete, Greece

Mount Ida also known as Idha, Ídhi, Idi and Psiloritis Ψηλορείτης sits at 2,456 m looking down over Kriti from the centre of the island. The range extends through Rethymnon and Heraklion prefectures in an east west direction.

About Psiloritis

The name Ida seems to be derived from the ancient word for the mother goddess de or da.

Thus, the goddess associated with Mt Ida is Rhea, the earth goddess and goddess of nature, animals, mountains and caves. She is often pictured with two lions at her feet. She is associated with bees, which are also a symbol of Crete from ancient times, as the island was known for its heavenly honey. Of course it still is today.

O Psiloritis literally means “the tall one” and is a proud and affectionate name for the mountain which gives him a personality and instantly creates a relationship of awe and respect.

Home of many mountain villages, such as Anogeia, and plateaux such as the Nida Plateau.

This range is also part of the E4 European walking path.

The steep, inaccessible and wild mountains and gorges have characterised Crete and its people and turned the pages of history, as freedom fighters and foreign resistance supporters hid in her mountain villages and caves. The stories of the adartes, the freedom fighters, are woven into the personality of Crete.

From ancient times, the shepherds of the mountains have played an important part of the culture of the island. The timeless image of the weather-beaten shepherd sitting amongst the rocks and thyme, singing softly to his sheep or goats, has been a symbol of freedom, co-mingled with hardship and isolation, a recurring theme in the Cretan and Greek story.

Mt Ida in Snow (Image by Dimitris Pachakis)

Zeus Cave is in these mountains, it is known as Ideon Andron and sits looking over the Nida Plateau. This wide mouthed cave has an inner cavern where excavations have found jewellery, bronze shields, seal stones pottery and metal artifacts. These finds reveal the history of Crete, including sanctuaries of worship.

Other caves to explore are Kamares, Sfendoni and Melidoni. Speleologists also study the cave-precipice of Tafkoura and the Labyrinth cave.

The Psiloritis Ψηλορείτης range is part of the European Geopark. Rare endemic species, an unusual ecology and geological formations under intense scrutiny by scientists, biologists, geologists and speleologists contribute to its value and distinction.

Wildflowers of spring are famous in Kríti. There are walking tours arranged every season with knowledgeable botanists. 268 of Greece's endemic plants can be found in Crete, 196 are native only to Crete. On the mountain are 76 endemic species. Plants of the area include the wonderful aromatic herbs for which the island is famous; including thyme and dictamo. Dictamo also known as erontas is a strong herbal remedy.

Greek Spiny Spurge (image by Andreas Loukakis)

Mountain Life

On the slopes are found hawthorn trees, kermes oak, Cretan maple trees and holm-oaks. Rouvas forest near Zarós has many kermes oaks and extremely rare Cretan orchid Cephanlanthera cucullata and rare tree Zelkova abelicea. Greek Spiny Spurge (above) is found amongst the rocky screes.

Striking rock formations and hard hiking can be found in Zarós Gorge, Kamares Gorge and Vorizia Gorge.

The mountain villages of Axós, an ancient Cretan site, Zonianá, Livádia and Garázo are typical traditional villages. Perama and nearby Margarites are small mountain villages where you will find the natural products such as raki, cherries, honey, olive oil, and cheeses such as graviera, anthotyro and myzithra made from mountain milk.

Experience Psiloritis

Climb with a Guide - contact Dromolatis, a knowledgeable and experienced mountain man of Crete, to enquire about hikes in the Psiloritis Range.

Nida Plateau with Mitata - Shepherd Huts

Explore Shepherd’s Hut and Cheese Making Process in Psiloritis Range - visit a honey factory, drive through villages, learn about Cretan shepherds and explore a shepherd’s hut. Learn about Cretan history and traditions, and taste Cretan cuisine on a cultural day tour. See great views of Mount Psiloritis. 6.5 hours.

4.7/5 | 3 Reviews

Check Prices & Availability

The Shepherds' Life

Visit the Shepherds' Shelter at Krana near Anogia on Psiloritis. Experience the work and life of the mountain shepherds of Crete first hand - To Spiti tou Vouskou

In a hand-built 'mitato' or traditional stone hut, depending on the season, you have the unique opportunity to view sheep milking, join the cheese-making, sheep shearing or the raki distillation. Join the collection of herbs and traditional cooking, and indulge yourself with the local delicacies and wine on offer.

Mountain Information

Psiloritis UNESCO GeoPark

www.psiloritisgeopark.gr

Also contact the Mountain club of Heraklion: www.eos-her.gr

Or the Mountain Club of Rethymnon: www.eosrethymnou.gr

The best would be to climb with a local guide - James or Michael - hiking guides with Green Tour based in Rethymnon: greentour[.]gr

The best reference book for this hike is The High Mountains of Crete by Loraine Wilson.

Q&A About Psiloritis

Hiking Nida Plateau and Psiloritis in October - we are planning hiking at the Nida Plateau and to the summit of Mount Ida in October. Which temperatures can we expect at day and night?

Psiloritis Climate Chart

Below you can see the monthly average temperatures in Celsius for the mountainous area of Psiloritis in Crete.

Timios Stavros Hike

The chapel of Timios Stavros at the peak of Psiloritis - Mount Ida - Crete

Image by Dromolatis

On September 14 every year, 'Timios Stavros' or 'Holy Cross' is celebrated, this is the small chapel on the very highest peak in Crete - Mt Ida. Many walk up to celebrate this special festival, and in recent years the walk/hike has become very popular. The official celebration is at dawn on the 14th, so the priest and many other walkers set out the day or night before, to get there for the dawn ceremony.

Psiloritis Events

Psiloritis Race - a mountain running event in the steps of Zeus - 35 km from Nida Plateau to the peak of Mt Ida - held in June each year.

Pierra Creta - a mountain skiing event held in March - began in 2014, see the video below.

The north face of Mt Ida requires many kick turns

Reaching the peak of Psiloritis - Mt Ida - at Timios Stavros Cross and small chapel - a lone skier enjoys the bright blue day.

Accommodation

Enagros Traditional Houses in Axos Village

Enagron Traditional House will give you quality accommodation and an authentic Cretan experience, it is located near the village of Axos in the Psiloritis range. A stunning hidden gem in the fresh mountain air.

"Super experience, the place is truly authentic, people are super kind and friendly, excellent food! The entire village it's really nice, the people from Enagron, very kind and all the time ready to offer all the details about the place and what to do there. Breakfast super good, but all the food and wine from the restaurant - extremely good, fresh, very good prices. The entire place is very, very beautiful and offer a great experience even to the young people - 3 nights are perfect for a truly authentic Cretan experience - included Cretan music show!"

Check Rates & Availability

Arodamos Guesthouse on Livadi Plateau, Crete

Arodamos Guesthouse - Livadi Plateau - Crete - Snow View

Arodamos Guesthouse is located on the plateau of Livadi close to Nida Plateau in the foothills of Psiloritis. Visit in summer or winter for a complete rural escape.

“Great breakfast and good choice of food for dinner. Amazing location for a few days peace and quiet or hiking in the mountains. Excellent WiFi. Friendly and helpful hosts. Good value for money.”

Check Rates & Availability

The Perachori Boutique Studios are located on a pretty village square in Anogeia. With beautiful aesthetics and a mix modern and traditional design, relax in your own haven yet feel part of the community in the plateia.

“The location is right in the center of this beautiful village. In neighboring cafes you can feel the spirit of this kind people. The apartment is new and very pretty, with everything you need. We were in upstairs one, and I am recommending it.”

Check Rates & Availability

Leave only footprints because we love Crete

WARNING: If you plan to walk, hike,ski or explore caves on Psiloritis you must seek guidance and local knowledge. There are many climbing and walking clubs in Crete. Beware of changing weather conditions and isolated, inaccessible areas. Please respect the ecology of this beautiful island.

Psiloritis Videos

Below you will see the video of an experienced hiker, climber who reached the peak in snowy conditions in early December.

Here is a presentation of the Psiloritis Geopark highlighting the mountains in all seasons, watch for the shepherds huts or 'mitata' made of stones.

In this video you will see hikers starting from Mygero Refuge going up to Psiloritis peak and Timios Stavros chapel with extraordinary views from the summit.

Below you can see the mountain skiing race on the Psiloritis range - Pierra Creta - from 2017 with exciting competition and magnificent views of the mountain and snow...

Below you will see highlights of the Psiloritis Race - a running competition held each year - taking in the magnificence of the landscape.

Below is a video of a visit to the Shepherds' Shelter on Psiloritis, here you can see the traditional stone-built 'mitata' made from the materials at hand and share an insight into this way of life high in the mountains.