Our 15-member mountaineering group started walking in beautiful weather through the narrow streets of the picturesque village of Lagou, following the stone path towards Papoura. Along the way, oaks, dry stone walls, and terraces reminded us of the beauty of the mountainous nature of the Plateau and our responsibility to protect it for future generations. Behind us, the plain of the Plateau and the snow-capped mountain range of Dikti sparkled in the sun. Our first stop was at the archaeological site of Papoura on the ridge. According to archaeological findings, the ancient settlement was located on the plateau along the ridge, extending almost to the Selia of Ampelos. Apart from some preliminary excavations and surface surveys, the site essentially remains unexplored. During the Minoan era, Papoura was inhabited by the residents of the nearby Late Minoan settlement of Kafí, after they peacefully abandoned their inhospitable mountaintop around the 10th century BCE. Papoura then evolved into a populous city for the next three centuries. The settlement of Papoura was abandoned during the Classical period. From there, we took the road to Kafí, passing through Asfentami and the ruined old mill site (a pass with stone windmills), one of the largest mill sites in Crete.