Sphakia Zone H: Madhares

The Madhares, in the northern half of the White Mountains, are lower than the Mountain Desert (below 2000 masl), and slightly less arid, though still too high (1700-2000 m) for tree growth. The area consists of conical hills separated by small basins with enough soil to support continuous vegetation; there are also water sources. The Madhares (Greek for summer pastures) have been used for this purpose at least since the 17thC AD. Some shepherds' huts (Greek: mitata) and milking pens are still used in the summer. There was no tradition of cultivation in the Madhares, but shepherds since World War II have successfully grown small quantities of potatoes here.