Kourna Lake was known as Lake Koressia in antiquity after ancient 'Korion', a city thought to be in the area with a temple to Athena. Later it took its current name from the Arabic word for lake.
Kourna Lake is relatively small, with a maximum length of 1,087 m, a maximum breadth of 880 m and a perimeter of 3.5 km. It covers an area of 579,000 sq. m. and is generally shallow, 22.5 m at its deepest point, while it lies approximately 20 m above sea level.
There are two springs on the southeast bank, one of which, the Mati (=eye) as the locals call it, is visible in summer. The lake is fed by streams from the nearby mountains and hills, whose underground courses are interrupted by the local bedrock on the way to the sea.
Lake Kournas and its environs are protected under Natura 2000.
It is an important wetland, home to ducks, eels, water snakes and a rare species of bicoloured terrapin with a patterned shell, the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemysterrapin).
Herons and cormorants also sometimes appear on the lake.
But the lake changes size, as the locals say, as the level drops in late summer, revealing a thick layer of white sand which forms temporary beaches. However, even in these months there is no safe way to walk all around the lake. In summer you can swim or ride a pedalo, watch and feed the ducks or have something to eat or drink in the taverns.
The cache
Just before arriving at the lake there is a narrow dirt road on the right. It is at N 35 20.361 E 024 16.659. You can either park there and walk or drive to the cache but then, turning your car could be a bit of a challenge. The distance to the cache is 1100 m or a 15 min walk along the west coast of the lake. In case there is a metal fence blocking the way, don't hesitate to open it, pass and then close it behind you. All such fences are meant for sheep and goats in Crete, not for humans.
The cache is a plastic container that contains a logbook, a pen, the geocaching note in Greek and English and some goodies to trade.
While searching, please take care that you are not watched by muggles. Don’t forget to hide the cache well again in the end.
