The Asterousia Mountains are the southernmost mountain range in Europe and are located in the southern part of the prefecture of Heraklion at a distance of 65 kilometers from Heraklion. It occupies the area south from Agioi Deka and Pyrgos to the southern Cretan Sea. The highest peak is Kofinas, at 1231 meters.
These mountains are particularly barren and the landscape lunar due to intense overgrazing, fires and erosion. The only vegetation is sparse phrygana and macchia, typical Mediterranean scrubland. To the south, and where the goats don't reach, there are small stands of Cretan pines and cypresses. To the east of Kofinas, there are small cultivated plateaus with small abandoned villages. Mountains are of great ecological importance. Great predators, such as the vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) or kakalas, the vulture (Gypus fulvus), the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the griffon eagle (Hieraatus fasciatus), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the black petrel (Falco eleonarae) live here.
On the southern side of Asterousia, the slopes are very steep and end in cliffs and caves, crossed by successive, deep canyons that end in beautiful beaches. Between many beaches, imposing vertical cliffs with beautiful ridge formations are formed. The beaches are secluded with clear blue waters and pebbles and many are accessible only by boat. The aesthetic value of Asterousia is great, as there is still no southern coastal road that connects the beaches and thus there is no mass tourism, only traditional guesthouses.
Vertical roads connect the villages of Messara with the beaches. However, these roads are often dirt roads and, due to the morphology of the area, full of bents. From Agioi Deka, one can reach Lenda, a picturesque, quiet, seaside settlement, suitable for families. From Pyrgos, the road leads to the Tris Eklissies and from Kapetaniana, to Tsoutsouros, seaside settlements, beloved, especially by the locals. Dirt roads lead to beautiful and quiet beaches, such as Agiofarango, Tripiti, Koudouma Monastery and Agios Nikitas. All of these routes offer breathtaking views of the South Cretan Sea, but they are quite far and take a lot of time to make.
Because of their morphology, Asterousia are suitable for physical activities. There is an extensive network of 60 organized and signposted trails leading to secluded beaches, coves and monasteries, 220 climbing routes of varying difficulty, between Kapetaniana and Agiofarango and a wide variety of geo spots, such as rock formations, plant fossils, ravines and inaccessible slopes. Many visitors choose canyoning, caving, birdwatching, horse riding with trails even for beginners, cycling with 8 trails, and paragliding in the area of Lenda from the Heraklion Aeroclub and hang-gliding clubs. Also, Thalori, a traditional ecotourism village in Kapetaniana, organizes 4x4 jeep off-road tours.
(more articles about Crete at www.gomega.gr)
