Field Trips

FloraCretica field trips are conducted as part of research projects and for interested individuals as well as science and other groups. Please read the regulatory advice section if you plan on coming on a research trip or project here.

For your next excursion or outing you may download a worksheet here, which will help you identify the plants you are likely to find in the current season. You can then record the plants you actually spotted and you may also send the worksheets in to FloraCretica for inclusion into the database so that all members and scientists can benefit from your discoveries.

Below is the itinerary of one of our longer excursions, as an example of what can be done.

Trip One—Minoan Pack Route over Thripti Mountains

This is a full day’s trip, beginning in the Aghios Nikolaos area, taking the coast road as far east as Siteia. We then turn off onto a narrow mountain road, which winds through some spectacular, unspoilt scenery with very little sign of man’s effect upon the landscape. We will take several stops along this road for photos and plant identification. After a while, we turn off onto a little used dirt track which will lead us high into the mountains, with stunning views on either side. Here on the mountain pasture that forms a ridge between the peaks, we will stop for lunch and a welcome drink. There will be plenty of time for exploring and walking amongst the flowers and herbs which flourish in the clean, cool air. The track that we follow is an ancient one and was used by the Minoans to carry goods between Ierapetra and Siteia. Lunch over, we begin our descent, stopping briefly at an old, deserted mountain settlement and taking a detour to the seldom visited Shrine to the Goddess with the Upraised Arms. Here we will stop for a while to take in the wonderful scenery and for a short walk to explore the ruins and the surrounding mountainside. The track will bring us out at the Kavousi Gorge and, light conditions permitting, we will take another short stop. There is the option of driving along the coast a little way to Mochlos for dinner, or of heading back to the dropping off point. Full day - 8 hours without dinner

Trip Two - Kroustas – Katharo - Mountain Pass to the Lassithi

From your pick-up point we drive up through the traditional village of Kritsa to the quiet village of Kroustas. Here we turn off onto an unmapped mountain road which climbs up to the Katharo through ancient pine forests. We reach the plateau through a series of smaller plateaux and stop for lunch to have a word with Yianni and to sample one of his wonderful potato omelettes. From there we follow the dirt track ‘off-road’ over the ridge and passed flower rich dolines until we reach the spot where the Lassithi plateau lies spread before us. There is always something new to see here and once the Autumn rains have started Sternbergia can be seen blossoming from the hard limestone rocks. Full day - 8 hours

Trip Three - Kato and Pano Simi and the small Omalos Plateau

A trip to the south slopes of the Dicte Mountains to visit remote areas of special botanical interest. Our first stop is for a picnic lunch beside the waterfall at Pano Simi and a chance to explore the deserted village, which is alive with butterflies and bees. We then return to the car to drive higher into the mountains to the Shrine of Aphrodite and Hermes, where we will take another short stop. The road becomes rougher as we climb to the isolated and uninhabited plateau, where during the summer months the only person we will encounter is the shepherd hoping for a packet of cigarettes! It is here, after the first Autumn rains, that the pastures are carpeted with crocus and colchicum. There will be time for walking and exploring in this wonderful, peaceful environment that has remained unchanged for centuries. We descend from the mountains to drive along the coast road to Tertsa, where there is an optional stop at another of our favourite tavernas—this time right on the beach—for an excellent supper before our return to Aghios Nikolaos. Full day 8 hours excluding dinner

Trip Four - Spinalonga Island and the hills above Elounda

This trip involves a short drive from Aghios Nikolaos along the spectacular coast road to Elounda. SHopuld you require transfer from other starting points, this can be arranged. Here we turn off onto the causeway which takes us past the sunken city of Olous. Spinalonga is famous for its wildlife and flowers and there is something to be seen at any time of the year. There will be plenty of time for walking and many different habitats to examine. After a drink at the Canal Bar, we take the short drive to Pano Elounda and make our way up one of the many ‘donkey tracks’ to discover what is in bloom. The car will pick us up for the short drive to ‘Nikos’ land - where in Spring wild orchids and iris flourish.There is an optional visit to ‘Kantouyni’ at Mavrikiano for a simple but excellent meal, before the drive back to Aghios Nikolaos. Full day 7 hours (including dinner)

Trip Five - Kroustas - Aghios Joannis - Istron

This short drive from Aghios Nikolaos (again, other starting points are possible) discovers some stunning scenery overlooking Istron Bay. There is plenty of time for walking and exploring at our stopping place near the church, where we will have a light picnic lunch. If the rains are early, there is a chance to discover the Autumn flowering Narcissus serotinus (September-November) or a variety of bright golden Sternbergia. The views along this track are superb and exploring the area is always a wonderful experience. 5 hours

Trip Six - Imbros Gorge and Meadows above Spili

Spili is famous for its wild flowers and eco-tourists arrive here from all over the world. On this long day trip we take you high into the mountains to find a vast range of flowers and herbs. From March to June the pastures are filled with orchids of many species, but in Autumn (depending upon the rains) you will find Sternbergia, Narcissus, Crocus and Colchicum—the bulbs associated with Spring in Northern Europe. The views are breathtaking and the bird life impressive. Our round trip takes in a drive along the superb Imbros Gorge, at the mouth of which we stop for a walk and some light refreshments. You can choose just how long you stay here and how far into the gorge you wish to walk. The Imbros Gorge is famous for its wild, natural beauty. Long day - 10 hours

Trip Seven - Rhizinia and Arhanes

A trip through Heraklion province to the site of the ancient kingdom of Rhizinia, where in Autumn the first bulbs appear on the limestone rocks. We take tiime to visit the ancient tombs carved from these rocks and to climb to the site of the fortress with superb sea and mountain views. We will stop in the small village of Ano Asites to visit the recently opened Folk Museum and then take a walk into the meadows and olive groves to look for the first sign of Autumn flowers. Full day—8 hours

Alternative day and weekly trips

The trips featured here are some of our most popular excursions and have been in operation for the last two years. However, there are many, many other sites of special botanical and historical interest and we can plan a tour to suit your special interests and requirements. Please fill in the enquiry form for Flower Walks.