Lapathos Plateau

Lapathos Plateau is 9 kilometers far to east from Symi or Simi village in Lassithi prefecure at the southern slopes of Dikti mountains. It is a hidden and unknown area on the Lasithi mountains and you have access to the plateau from Simi Village through a new asphalt road for the first 6km and a dirt road for the next 5km (see the map below).

The plateau of Lapathos is one of the most beautiful areas in Crete, on the southern border of the county of Heraklion and Lasithi with Kato Simi village to belong in Heraklion and Pano Symi to Lasithi, and is located in the lap of the most dense and substantial pine forest of Crete together with the adjacent Selakano and Malles forests.

The whole region is full of water springs gushing from the slopes of Dikti mount. On the plateau you meet the churches of Panagia Galatoktismenis and Nistikoktismenis and St. George. The first so named because the chapel was built of mud and milk instead of water by fasting builders throughout construction. The church of St. George is situated about one kilometer outside the uninhabited settlement Apano Simi, at an altitude of 940 meters and has frescoes by Emmanuel Fokas from the mid 15th cent.

On the plateau is also a beautiful church of the Holy Apostles. The visitor can see numerous caves in the area, used by rebels in the past : the Zympraga Spiliaria , the Kissospilio, the cave Leri , the Spilio of Boubouli , the Spilio Riza and Spilio Chalavra.

Lapathos Plateau Photo Gallery ==>>

The second section of the above Photo Gallery covers the route from the East exit of Lapathos Plateau down to Riza Village through the marvelous Minos Forest

Hiking to Lapathos Plateau

We take the road (Ierapetra – Ano Viannos) leaving on the right and go up to Kato Simi Village. The tarred road (from 2008) continues to the north in a beautiful forested area and we follow the asphalt road and pass first some small waterfalls on the right and then at about 1000m a.s.l. we reach the ruins of a Greek Ancient sanctuary (Ermis Afrodite), which was already founded by the Minoans and today is securely fenced.

Interesting is the spring that comes out water right next to the fence (in the NE of the fenced area). Here we can park our vehicle and continue by foot. With or without stopping, the road continues uphill – the tarred surface is now missing. A good kilometer after the excavation site we turn right (northeast) at a fork. In spring time (December-Mai) we can see some small remarkable waterfalls above on the left (almost dry between June and October), and a little further on we can find a signposted viewpoint on the right.

We pass a gate and and have reached the highest point at the west edge of Lapathos plateau (about 5 km after the Minoan ruins). At a T-junction we keep to the right (we can say straight). After 10 min we see a house on the right and cross another dirt road about 300 m further on.

Holy Apostels Gorge

From Lapathos starts one of the most rugged canyons of Lassithi, the gorge of “Agion Apostolon”.

The Holy Apostles (Agii Apostoli) or Lapathos Gorge is situated on the southern part of Mount Dikti, 28km to the west of Ierapetra and 72km to the south of Heraklion, in the broader vicinity of the village of Kato Simi. This is a technical canyon, implying that crossing it necessitates technical gear and specific training. The Lapathos canyon is an ideal challenge for highly skilled canyoners. It spans approximately 4km and there is a height difference of about 900m between the start and finish points.

The canyon originates from the small plateau of Lapathos, where the Holy Apostles church stands, and concludes on the road that links the village of Pefkos with Ierapetra. Although it’s typically a dry canyon, in 2009, the team of seasoned canyoners Vassilis Vagias, Savvas Paragamian, and Giannis Skondinakis discovered it to contain surprisingly large amounts of water.

The gorge features 28 steep descents that demand excellent rappelling skills. The tallest rappel is 80m, making it one of the highest in all of Crete. The sheer walls of Lapathos serve as nesting grounds for a variety of birds including vultures, hawks, and crows. Towards the gorge’s exit, the vegetation is predominantly made up of pines and cypresses. Following the exit, the stream continues its journey to Tertsa beach.

Kato Simi Village – Minoan Excavation site : 5,5 km – 10min by Car
Minoan Excavation site – 1ts shepherd gate West of Lapathos 3,7km 1h 10min walking
1ts shepherd gate of Lapathos – Chapel of Holy Apostel 1km – 15 min
Chapel of Holy Apostel – East Exit of the Plateau (Mountain pass 1340m) 1km – 15 min

Total length (Minoan Excavation site) : 6km – 1 h + 40 min

Initial elevation (m): 1000m (Minoan Excavation site)
Maximum elevation (m): 1340m (East exit – Mountain pass)
Minimum elevation (m): 1000m

Additional Info

Altitude: Lowest point : 1000 (Minoan Site) – Highest point: 1340 m (West end of Lapathos Plateau)

Starting Point: Kato Simi Village

Path Type: All distance on dirt roads

Difficulty: Easy

Walk distance (one-way): 6 km : 1 hours and 40 min