Mount Psiloritis (Mt Ida) – the Highest Mountain in Crete and the Birthplace of Zeus

Crete is blessed with gorgeous mountains, green valleys, stunning, wild gorges and natural bridges making it a place unique in every way. Mount Psiloritis (or Mt Ida) is the highest point in Crete.

Rouvas forest on Psiloritis mountain, with streams and colorful plantation at spring, Crete, Greece
Rouvas forest on Psiloritis mountain, with streams and colorful plantation at spring, Crete, Greece

The island is characterized by mountains, valleys, natural bridges, stunning gorges and other features that make this place unique in all aspects.

Where is Mt Psiloritis in Crete?

Psiloritis Natural Park extends on the Psiloritis mountain and its northern foothills till the Cretan Sea. It has an area of 1100 km2. Administratively the park is split in to the regions of Rethymno and Heraklion.

map of Crete, Greece - high resolution
Mount Psiloritis – Coordinates: 35°13′38.45″N 24°46′15.22″E – Click to enlarge the map of Crete

The ancient myth about Mt Psiloritis

Mount Ida, known now as Psiloritis (“high mountain”), is the highest mountain on Crete. Located in Rethymno Prefecture, it is sacred to the Greek Titaness Rhea, and on its slopes, according to legend, lies the cave, Idaion Andron, in which Zeus was born. As an island high point at 2,454 m, it is the mountain with the highest topographic prominence in Greece.

Hiking on Mt Psiloritis

Rouvas forest on Psiloritis mountain, with streams and colorful plantation at spring, Crete, Greece
Rouvas forest on Psiloritis mountain, with streams and colorful plantation during spring

Interesting features are the plateau of Nida and the forest of Ruva on the east side. The observatory of the University of Crete is located on the secondary peak Skinakas at 1750m.
Along one flank of Mount Ida is the Amari Valley, a locus settled by expansion of ancient Phaistos, when the settlement of Monastiraki was established.

Mount Psiloritis,the east ridge, Rethymno, Crete

Rouvas Gorge

FULL-DAY GORGE TREKKING FROM HERAKLION

The highest point in Crete

The chapel on a highest point of Crete - Mount Psiloritis
The chapel of Timios Stavros is built in stone at the tallest peak of Mt Psiloritis in Crete

A small, open stone chapel of Timios Stavros is located on the summit, surrounded by numerous bivouac sites used by mountain walkers. A small, abandoned alpine skiing centre is located on the eastern flank of Mount Ida, accessible by road from Anogeia, which also offers the easiest route of ascent from the Nida Plateau.

Why visit Mount Psiloritis?

Mouth of the Idaean Cave, Ida Mountain, Crete, Greece
The entrance of the Idaean Cave at Mount Ida (Psiloritis)
View of Psiloritis mountains from west, Crete, Greece

The park aims to conserve natural and cultural heritage of the Psiloritis area through promotional and educational activities, as well as sustainable development initiatives like geotourism, ecotourism and agritourism.