Drakona Hillsides

The Drakona hillside, located near the Therisso Gorge in the Chania region of Crete, is a pristine, fertile area renowned for its authentic rural landscape and high biodiversity. It is a fantastic location for wildlife observation, featuring a mixture of olive groves, rocky gorges, and dense vegetation that provide habitats for numerous Cretan species. Visitors to the area often observe free-ranging sheep and goats grazing on the slopes, alongside agricultural land that supports local biodiversity. The region is known for a small, rare breed of short-horned cow which can be found in the Drakona area of the White Mountains. Birdwatchers may spot raptors such as the common buzzard or the rare bearded vulture (gypaetus barbatus) soaring overhead, particularly near the nearby rocky gorges. Other animals to look for in the vicinity include the Cretan marten, badgers, and, if you are lucky, the elusive Cretan spiny mouse.