Wildlife· Naxos· Greece — Cyclades
Griffon Vultures of Mount Zas (Naxos)
37° 1.8′ N · 25° 30.1′ E · approximate
Naxos and Iraklia are the only Greek islands outside Crete that still hold breeding griffon vultures, a few dozen birds that nest on the inaccessible slopes of Mount Zas and soar over the mountain villages.
Practical
Greek Wikipedia: a resident breeding population of a few dozen griffon vultures (locally 'skanias') lives in the mountains of Naxos. NaturaGraeca: the vultures nest on Zas's inaccessible slopes, and Bonelli's eagle also occurs on the island. Watch from the Mount Zas trail (see Mount Zas Hike (Naxos)) or the roads around Filoti and Apiranthos, especially late morning when thermals build. Do not approach nest cliffs. Position approx: the Mount Zas summit area, reused from the existing Mount Zas entry.
Best for
Watching huge vultures ride the thermals over Zas
Nearby
- Mount Zas Hike (Naxos)Right here
- Panagia Feast at Filoti (15 August)1.3 NM away
- Danakos to Halki Trail (Trail 3, Halki–Filoti hills)1.5 NM away
- Halki Village & Kitron Distillery (Naxos)2.2 NM away
- Tragea Olive Valley Loop from Halki (Trail 4)2.2 NM away
- Apiranthos to Moutsouna Emery Trail (Trail 1)2.7 NM away
- Apiranthos Village (Naxos)2.7 NM away
- Psili Ammos Beach (Naxos east)3.3 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).