Hiking and Mountaineering in Nevrokopi

Kato Nevrokopi is a town in the Prefecture of Drama, located in the center of the homonymous plateau near the Greek-Bulgarian border. The region is widely known for its cool climate and potato production. Beyond these, however, the terrain’s morphology allows for a variety of activities such as hiking, mountaineering, ski climbing, etc.
The hiking trails pass by points such as the Artificial Lake – Lefkogeia Dam is an earthen dam that was built to enable water storage and cover the irrigation needs of the surrounding farmland. The lake is fed by Mylorema and Kryoneri streams and the surrounding area has forest vegetation consisting of Pines, Poplars, Willows and Hazelnuts. Another artificial lake with a dam is that of Katafytos, which was built for the same reasons as that of Lefkogeia and is fed by the Persek and Sine streams.
A characteristic forest of the area is that of Simida, which is protected by the Natura 2000 treaty. It covers an area of more than 60,000 acres and is part of the Rhodope National Park. The species that thrives in the area is the birch, which grows in both dry and wet soils and is characterized by its drooping yellow-white branches and its characteristically thin and white bark.
While hiking in Kato Nevrokopi, one cannot miss the famous European Trail E6, which starts from Finland and crosses the countries of central Europe to Greece, where it covers the last 1000 kilometers, out of a total of 5200 kilometers.
Some recommended routes are:
The route in Volakas, from Tulumbari to Perasma with a total length of 26.61 kilometers that passes through beautiful landscapes and takes about 10 hours and 17 minutes. Due to the morphology of the terrain, it is judged as moderate in degree of difficulty.
Another route, which although it is 8.12 kilometers long is considered easy, is the one in Falakro, which passes through the Plateau Ag. Spirit, the Prophet Elias and ends up in the Snowhole and then in Kartalka.
Routes that follow the E6 path are, the route from Kato Vrontou that crosses Perithori and ends at Dasoto and then Kato Nevrokopi, having a length of 42 kilometers and a walking time of about 10 hours. Another route that passes through the path is the one that passes through Kato Nevrokopi, continues towards Volakas and ends at the Falakrou Ski Center. A route with a total length of 40 kilometers and a duration of 11 hours.
Most of the trail points are adequately marked. All the suggested routes are easy and pass-through dirt roads. Don’t neglect to bring supplies, suitable shoes, jackets and anything else you need to make your ride more enjoyable!