Nisimos Plateau

The Small Plateau of Nissimos is located 55km southeast of Heraklion, on the northern side of the Lassithi Plateau, at an altitude of 890m. Access is quite easy as there is a passable uphill road, 2.5km long, starting from the village Tzermiado.

The plateau is uninhabited and you will only meet the goats of the shepherds coming from the Lassithi Plateau. High vegetation is almost nonexistent, except a few trees, and the surrounding mountains are totally bare, making the landscape very wild and eerie.

Through Nisimos passes the road leading to the chapel of the Holy Cross, which stands just above the village of Tzermiado. Another road leads west to the church of St. Ariadne, the only church in Greece, dedicated to her. Next to the church begins a steep trail that leads to the Postminoan settlement of Karfi. Karfi is a steep hill that has endless views of the northern shores of Crete and appears to have played an important role during the past, due to its strategic location.