The curvy road to Mount Kofinas is not recommended for those with fear of heights
Mount Kofinas is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.074m (3,523ft) above the sea level, located in the southern Cretan Heraklion, in Greece. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous drop offs.
Is the road to Mount Kofinas paved?
Set high on the south coast of Heraklion Prefecture, the road to the summit is totally totally unpaved but navigable by all passenger vehicles: any car can tackle it without difficulty. This road tests the skill, and courage, of any driver. It’s definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides. One mistake and it's a free fall to your death. Expect 35 hairpin turns along the way through a breathtaking landscape. The drive is not recommended for those with fear of heights.
Is the road to Mount Kofinas dangerous?
The curvy dirt road to the summit is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. Don’t stuff your belly too much. Eventually, you might feel vomiting temptations while climbing circuitous roads at higher altitudes. Careless drivers may fall to the cliff. The road is bordered by a drop of hundreds of meters (many hundreds of feet) unprotected by guardrails. At some points the road becomes narrower due to rockfalls, so drive slowly and carefully. The views are breathtaking over the coast.
How long is the road to Mount Kofinas?
The pass road is 14.5km (9 miles) long running north-south from Platanias, a mountain village to Moni Koudouma, a small coastal town. It takes its name from the eponymous monastery Koudouma. The drive is steep, hitting a 14% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. The summit gets its name from its shape resembling inverted basket (kofini in Greek). It can be quite windy up there, so better be prepared.
Pic: NIKOS FRAGKIADAKIS LEVANTE