Rhodope Mountains

Fir forest
At a distance of only 60 km. from the center of Drama, we come across one of the most beautiful forest complexes in the country, the famous Elatia forest, whose richness in fauna and flora in the mountains of the Central Rhodope is a point of reference for the prefecture and northern Greece. Elatia or Karadere is a Macedonian mountain with a maximum altitude of 1,826 meters (Tsakalos peak).
It is located in the prefecture of Drama and is part of the Central Rhodope Mountain range. Apart from Tsakalos (altitude 1826m), other peaks are: Oxies (altitude 1811m), Elatia (altitude 1647m), Bouzala (altitude 1631m), Piramida Koutra (altitude 1628m).), Zervo (alt. 1578m.), Kalyvia Gravani (alt. 1556m.) etc. In Elatia, there is the Forest Village of Elatia, near the summit of Pyramida Koutra, in the place of the oldest Sarakatsanaean hermitage called Kalivia Koutra. There, every year on July 20 (Prophet Ilias), a Sarakatsanai memorial service is held. The Forest Village is located in the center of the Elatia Forest. The forest of Elatia is the largest in Greece in area (700 square kilometers), and consists of spruce, pine, cedar, beech, birch, poplar, maple, oak, wild rose etc. In the western part of the mountain, at Magoula, there is the Birch Forest, the only one of its kind in Greece.
In the Elatia forest and especially in the Virgin Forest, we find conifers unique in their kind, up to 60 meters high and 300 years old, as well as a variety of fauna from hares to brown bears. In 1980 it was declared a preserved monument and is considered a European Forest. The area offers hiking trails in a dense forest with a variety of vegetation from oak, chestnut, hazelnut and beech trees.

Frakto Virgin Forest
The Virgin Forest is the only one in the country and is considered the most important of its kind in Europe. It was registered as virgin (area 11,000 sq.m.) in 1979 and immediately in 1980 it was declared a preserved nature monument, due to its great phytogeographical, ecological and historical value. It is located at the northeastern end of the prefecture of Drama, below the highest peak of the Central Rhodopes at 1,953 m.
From then until today, it is under absolute protection, since no human activity is allowed except for scientific research. It is virgin, because its evolution followed the rules of nature and has not been disturbed by man for at least 500 years. Of course, by the word virgin we do not mean that there has been no human presence and activity, but that the hitherto mild human effects have not affected the character of the undisturbed forest ecosystem. The form of the virgin differs from the common forests, because it coexists with various species of broadleaved and conifers from young ages and heights to old or dry trees of great height.
Visibility is low due to the dense vegetation, while it is impassable due to the existing trees. In the virgin the possibility of encountering some wild animal is great, because they are in large populations and they are not afraid of our presence, since they are not used to human disturbance. Around the virgin there is a wider protective zone which together with it is called Fraktos forest. In the peripheral zone, the forest resembles the forests of the Central Rhodope and is in a state of partial protection, as grazing and hunting are prohibited, while wood production and forest recreation are allowed. The functional center of the forest is the Fraktos forest construction site located 8.5 km before the virgin.
The “Vilaora” area, southeast of the construction site and at a distance of 3-7 km, is suitable for hiking in beech, forest pine and oak stands. Scattered around the area you may find wild rose trees, rowan trees, and birch trees. There is a dense network of forest roads in the area. The view from the ridge of the area justifies the name “Vilaora”, as in a clear atmosphere endless successive ridge can be seen. South and lower of the Virgin Forest, under the rocky formations, with mainly broad-leaved vegetation, many of which are fruitful, is Achladochori. There are still ruins of old settlements in the area. From here the “Achladorema” forms its central bed, after collecting the waters of the Virgin Forest from the gutters and the five waterfalls. The three are continuous and can be reached by following the existing paths.

Falakro Mountain
Falakro is a mountain unique in beauty and biodiversity characterized by large alpine areas, steep cliffs and dense forests, defining the landscape and wild nature in the east of Macedonia. With an altitude of 2,232 meters, Falakro dominates with its volume in the northern part of N. Drama. It is one of the most beautiful mountains of Greek nature, because despite its name, which is due to its characteristic peak, it is not only bare.
At lower altitudes, dense forests of oak, beech and conifers dominate. Above the trees, in the Alpine Zone, the visitor is amazed by the wide variety of wild flowers. No one is left disappointed by a visit to Falakro. The casual hiker will discover friendly slopes and gentle paths, such as the famous E6, that will make him feel the joy of returning to nature. Climbers and adventurers will feel the intense challenge to test their endurance and skills on the towering and steep vertical slopes. In the foothills of Falakro are the picturesque villages of Volakas, Pyrgoi and Granitis with their special cultural identity, traditional environment and wonderful local cuisine. Falakro always remains friendly and accessible to the visitor, since at any time of the year, the car can reach, after an exquisite route, up to 1750 meters. There, sheltered in the arms of its high peaks, is a very well-organized ski center, which comes alive for at least five months every year. Thousands of ski fans come to enjoy the renowned quality of the snow, which lasts from the end of November to April.
Every season of the year Falakro presents a different fascinating picture. Thousands of wildflowers adorn its slopes in spring, while in autumn the tree foliage captures the warmest colors of nature. As winter sets in and nature completes its cycle, a vast white silence covers peaks, slopes, trees and paths. No matter how Falakro appears before our eyes, it is the imposing symbol of the prefecture of Drama, of this place in our country, where Nature is always at its best.