Mount Kouroupa
Mount Kouroupa is a mountain peak at an elevation of 980m (3,215ft) above the sea level, located on the south coast of the Greek island of Crete. The climb is simply brutal: the average gradient is 10.86%. The route has humbled many egos. It’s not for the sissies and shouldn’t be attempted by novice drivers.
The road to the summit is mostly gravel. The steepest part of the road (the final hairpin turns) is poorly paved. 4wd vehicle recommended. Its many twists, turns and narrows can pose a challenge to even the most experienced drivers. The road is not easy, though. Up, down, right, left all the time. Driving at night, or in poor visibility, is not recommended for drivers unfamiliar with the road. The road is narrow. It’s not possible to overtake a car, even with a bike. The road is a delight to drive, with every kind of twist and turn. It offers great views of the Libyan Sea, the east part of Sfakia, southern Rethymnon and villages of Western Rethymnon. The road is narrow and steep at places. If that scares you, then it's better to leave the car outside the tiny hamlet of Atsipádhes.
Due to the high elevations and exposure, the road is subject to strong winds. High winds blow here all year long. The road is pretty steep. Starting from Atsipades, the ascent is 5.0 km long via 17 hairpin turns. The elevation gain is 543 meters. The average gradient is 10.86%. In the mountain in the winter, unexpected fog and high rainfall often prevail, while the humidity is increased throughout the year. At the summit there’s a communication tower and a chapel.
Pic: Escapetrip