The geotrail starts from Kato Zakros and heads north, following the old and easily accessible coastal path that eventually leads to the beautiful Karoumes beach. Along the way, we encounter several geosites, such as the marine terraces of Zakros, the Pelekita Cave, the ancient quarry of the same name, etc.
KATO ZAKROS – PELEKITA CAVE
Throughout the coastline around Kato Zakros, successive flat surfaces appear at different elevations on the mountain slopes. These surfaces indicate the sea level at earlier times and are created by wave action. The different elevations of the paleo-shorelines reveal the gradual uplift of Crete, which is particularly evident in the area. On the lowest paleo-shoreline, about 20 meters above the current sea level, fossils of dwarf hippopotamuses and deer that lived at least 21,000 years ago have been found.
PELEKITA CAVE – KAROUMES BEACH
Midway along the path and near the Pelekita Cave, we will encounter the ancient quarry of the same name, which develops in compacted, aeolian sandstones of the Pleistocene, which are easily quarried as they are soft rocks due to their numerous pores. The Pelekita Cave is one of the largest caves in eastern Crete, with a length of 310 meters. Its size, rich stalactite and stalagmite formations, and spectacular boulders make it unique on the island.
The path will then lead us to Karoumes beach, where there is also the eponymous marsh, one of the most isolated natural wetlands in all of Crete. This isolation is likely the reason it has remained unchanged and shows no signs of human pressure. During spring, when there is enough water, the area is filled with tadpoles of the European green toad (Bufoviridis). North of Karoumes beach, at the Mavromouri site, there are fossiliferous bioclastic limestones of the Miocene with corals.
We can return back via the same path or continue through the Chochlakies Gorge to the Chochlakies settlement.
For more informations, check Sitia's Geopark official site
The georoute is a result of the research project Joint Innovative Activities for Outdoor Tourism-JoinOut. The project entitled "Partnership of Innovative Rural Tourism Actions" and distinctive title: "JoInOuT", is implemented within the framework of the Action "Cooperative Innovation Formations/SCC" - 2nd Call: Businesses" and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by National Resources in the context of the Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPANEK)" of the NSRF 2014-2020" (Project code: ΓΓ2CL-0359457).
