The Psiloritis natural park is located in central Crete and includes the Psiloritis or Idi mountain range, its foot and its northern edge bordering the Cretan Sea, Mt Kouloukonas or the Talea Mountains.

The Psiloritis Geopark, due to which the Natural Park was included in the network of European Geoparks, is based on the area’s unique geology, relief and rock diversity. Their value was recognized several decades ago; dozens of research missions to the island are organized every year with scientists from all over the world wishing to see and study the area. Psiloritis is the only area in Crete, and indeed Greece, where people can admire all of Crete’s rock formations, the oldest fossils and to travel in a space and time that covers practically the entire geological evolution of Greece.

Due to this particularity, the limestone rock that forms most of the Psiloritis area, has determined the form and characteristics of the entire surface. The numerous caves, gorges and plateaus are all the result of limestone weathering.  The higher the mountain the more water dissolves.  Water enters any crack and enlarges it, digging into the mountains, creating underground rivers that form caves.  This is why visitors to the area do not see any rivers; they are all under their feet!  Many of these underground rivers find their way to the surface forming important springs such as the Zaros and Gergeri springs, while in other areas they mix with sea water such as in Almyros, Heraklion, the largest spring in Crete, or the underground springs in Bali.  However, smaller springs emerge everywhere, offering life and a cool environment to the people and the surroundings.

The beautiful landscapes of Psiloritis, the value of its natural monuments and the richness of its cultures have all placed Psiloritis on the list of UNESCO’s Global Geoparks and the Network of European Geoparks.