Dikti
Encyclopedia
Dikti or Dicte (also Lassithiotika Ori) is a mountain range on the east of the island of Crete
in the prefecture of Lassithi. On the west it extends to the prefecture of Heraklio.
According to the Greek Mythology
, Zeus
was reared on this mountain
in a cave called Dictaeon Andron (Psychro Cave).
On the north of the main massif, the plateau of Lassithi
is
located. The topology of the mountain range is rich with a lot of plateaus (Lassithi, Katharo
, Omalos Viannou, Limnakaro
), valleys and secondary peaks. Some important peaks are Spathi 2148m, Afentis Christos/Psari Madara 2141m, Lazaros 2085m, Madara 1783m, Skafidaras 1673m, Katharo Tsivi 1665m, Sarakino 1588m, Afentis 1571m, Selena 1559m, Varsami 1545m, Toumpa Moutsounas 1538m, Platia Korfi 1489m, Mahairas 1487m, Virgiomeno Oros 1414m, . The main masif forms a horse-shoe around the valley of Selakano
. Large part of the mountain area, including the Selakano valley, are forested with pines (Pinus brutia), Kermes oaks (Quercus coccifera), cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens
), Holm Oaks (Quercus ilex) and Cretan Maples (Acer sempervirens
).
The fertile valleys and plateaus of Dikti/Dicte are of significant importance in the local economy.
Dominant feature of Dikti is the Lasithi Plateau, the largest and most picturesque plateau in Crete. It is a place with a long history. Diktaion Antron, is located here, a cave where -according to the Mythology- Zeus was born. In a different myth, Dias (Zeus) was born in Idaion Antron in Mt Idi. A third myth is a compromise of the two, claiming that Zeus was born in Diktaion Antron but raised in Idaion.
The Lasithi Plateau is a nice place for pleasant excursions. If you are more ambitious and want to climb to the summit of Mt Spathi, then ask at the village of Agios Georgios for the path leading to the small plateau of Limnakaro
. The distance is 2 hrs long. At Limnakaro there is a dirt road
leading to the shelter of the Mountaineering Club of Lassithi (30 minutes). Do not follow this road; try to locate the E4 path which leads to the top. The ground is not very solid, and special care is necessary. Go all the way up to the crest of the mountain and then keep moving to the left for the next 2 hours.
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
in the prefecture of Lassithi. On the west it extends to the prefecture of Heraklio.
According to the Greek Mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, Zeus
Zeus
In the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...
was reared on this mountain
in a cave called Dictaeon Andron (Psychro Cave).
On the north of the main massif, the plateau of Lassithi
Oropedio Lasithiou
Oropedio Lasithiou or Lasithi Plateau is a large scenic plain, and a municipality, located in the Lasithi peripheral unit in eastern Crete, Greece...
is
located. The topology of the mountain range is rich with a lot of plateaus (Lassithi, Katharo
Katharo
Katharo is a plateau on the Dikti mountain on the island of Crete, in the prefecture of Lassithi. Administratively it belongs to the municipality of Aghios Nikolaos, . It is from Kritsa and from Mesa Lassithi . It is long, wide and at an average altitude of above sea level,...
, Omalos Viannou, Limnakaro
Limnakaro
Limnakaro is a small plateaulocated south of the Lassithi plateau, nearthe villages of Avrakondes and Agios Georgios in eastern Crete, Greece....
), valleys and secondary peaks. Some important peaks are Spathi 2148m, Afentis Christos/Psari Madara 2141m, Lazaros 2085m, Madara 1783m, Skafidaras 1673m, Katharo Tsivi 1665m, Sarakino 1588m, Afentis 1571m, Selena 1559m, Varsami 1545m, Toumpa Moutsounas 1538m, Platia Korfi 1489m, Mahairas 1487m, Virgiomeno Oros 1414m, . The main masif forms a horse-shoe around the valley of Selakano
Selakano
Selakano is a forested valley and a hamlet in the municipality of Ierapetra on the island of Crete. Selakano forms one of the most important ecosystems on Crete. The forest core of wild pine is also important on the Mediterranean level...
. Large part of the mountain area, including the Selakano valley, are forested with pines (Pinus brutia), Kermes oaks (Quercus coccifera), cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens
Cupressus sempervirens
Cupressus sempervirens, the Mediterranean Cypress is a species of cypress native to the eastern Mediterranean region, in northeast Libya, southeast Greece , southern Turkey, Cyprus, Northern Egypt, western Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Malta, Italy, western Jordan, and also a disjunct population in...
), Holm Oaks (Quercus ilex) and Cretan Maples (Acer sempervirens
Acer sempervirens
Acer sempervirens is a species of maple native to southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, in southern Greece and southern Turkey....
).
The fertile valleys and plateaus of Dikti/Dicte are of significant importance in the local economy.
Dominant feature of Dikti is the Lasithi Plateau, the largest and most picturesque plateau in Crete. It is a place with a long history. Diktaion Antron, is located here, a cave where -according to the Mythology- Zeus was born. In a different myth, Dias (Zeus) was born in Idaion Antron in Mt Idi. A third myth is a compromise of the two, claiming that Zeus was born in Diktaion Antron but raised in Idaion.
The Lasithi Plateau is a nice place for pleasant excursions. If you are more ambitious and want to climb to the summit of Mt Spathi, then ask at the village of Agios Georgios for the path leading to the small plateau of Limnakaro
Limnakaro
Limnakaro is a small plateaulocated south of the Lassithi plateau, nearthe villages of Avrakondes and Agios Georgios in eastern Crete, Greece....
. The distance is 2 hrs long. At Limnakaro there is a dirt road
Dirt road
Dirt road is a common term for an unpaved road made from the native material of the land surface through which it passes, known to highway engineers as subgrade material. Dirt roads are suitable for vehicles; a narrower path for pedestrians, animals, and possibly small vehicles would be called a...
leading to the shelter of the Mountaineering Club of Lassithi (30 minutes). Do not follow this road; try to locate the E4 path which leads to the top. The ground is not very solid, and special care is necessary. Go all the way up to the crest of the mountain and then keep moving to the left for the next 2 hours.