The green treasure of the Rodopi Mountains
On the borders of the Rodopi Mountains, just outside the village of Paranesti in the Regional Unit of Drama, extends the Virgin Forest of Frakto, the only one in Greece that has been developed without systematic human logging for centuries and is considered one of the few "untouched" forest ecosystems in Europe.
Its area, which exceeds 700 hectares, is protected and included in the Natura 2000 network. Mount Deliboska dominates the landscape, with a peak of about 1,953 m. The trees of spruce, a rare conifer found in the Rodopi Mountains of Greece only, are combined with beech, birch and black pine trees to create a scenery drawn from a fairy tale.
Follow the nature trails, passing through dense forest, stone streams and waterfalls. The geological and aquatic beauty that surrounds you turns hiking into an almost meditative experience, in the sounds of the pristine landscape. The flora includes dozens of endemic plants, such as the Rodopi lily, while wolves, bears, deer and numerous bird species are found in the fauna.
Access requires a special vehicle and permission from the Forest Service, as the area is strictly protected. If you choose to visit the Forest for more days, you can stay overnight at the forestry construction site of the loggers, where the ranger of the Forest Service of Drama is located. The wooden houses offer basic amenities -kitchen, living room with fireplace and toilets- and resemble a small mountain village. Accommodation is allowed only after consultation with the Forest Service. From this point, too, all routes to the sights of the area start.
The Forest of Frakto is an "escape from civilisation", with respect to the wonders of nature.
Its area, which exceeds 700 hectares, is protected and included in the Natura 2000 network. Mount Deliboska dominates the landscape, with a peak of about 1,953 m. The trees of spruce, a rare conifer found in the Rodopi Mountains of Greece only, are combined with beech, birch and black pine trees to create a scenery drawn from a fairy tale.
Follow the nature trails, passing through dense forest, stone streams and waterfalls. The geological and aquatic beauty that surrounds you turns hiking into an almost meditative experience, in the sounds of the pristine landscape. The flora includes dozens of endemic plants, such as the Rodopi lily, while wolves, bears, deer and numerous bird species are found in the fauna.
Access requires a special vehicle and permission from the Forest Service, as the area is strictly protected. If you choose to visit the Forest for more days, you can stay overnight at the forestry construction site of the loggers, where the ranger of the Forest Service of Drama is located. The wooden houses offer basic amenities -kitchen, living room with fireplace and toilets- and resemble a small mountain village. Accommodation is allowed only after consultation with the Forest Service. From this point, too, all routes to the sights of the area start.
The Forest of Frakto is an "escape from civilisation", with respect to the wonders of nature.
