The Frakto Virgin Forest, the only virgin forest in Greece and one of the very few in Europe, is an untouched landscape of wild beauty in the Rhodope mountain range. A forest of unique natural beauty and remarkable ecological balance.
North of Paranesti, 90 km. from the city of Drama, lies the wildest forest in Greece. The Fraktos Virgin Forest is the only virgin forest in our country and one of the few remaining, undisturbed forest ecosystems in Europe. The forest is characterized as «virgin» because it has seen minimal or no human activity for at least the last 500 years. As early as the 1980s, it was declared a Preserved Monument of Nature,while efforts are underway to include it on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Fraktos Virgin Forest: A unique monument of nature
The Fraktos Virgin Forest is located at the northeastern tip of theDrama prefecture,on the border with Bulgaria and forms part of a mountainous region with the highest peak, Delimposka, at 1,953 meters. It covers an area of about 11,000 stremmas and is part of the Fraktos forest complex, whichoccupies an areaof about 120,000 stremmas. Its older name was «Zagkradenia» which means the enclosed place, asit lies in a basin that is blocked all around by peaks and has a single outlet at its southern and lower-elevation point.
The striking geomorphology lends a rugged, wild character to the landscape, one that departs from the usual forest scenery. The impressive structure, the height of the trees (they reach 60 meters), the density of the vegetation and the wonderful waterfalls create a unique setting, the like of which you will not encounter anywhere else in Greece.
This is a mixed forest of evergreens and conifers. Firs, black pines, beeches, Scots pines, birches and Norway spruces (a rare tree in Greece that grows only in the Rhodope) coexist with beautiful and distinctive flowers, such as the Rhodope lily and rare orchids. The fauna of this pristine ecosystem is especially rich, encompassing everything from golden eagles, buzzards and woodpeckers to chamois, red deer, bears and wolves.
Within the forest there are hiking trails that pass by impressive waterfalls, as well as covered rest areas at specific points where one can find shelterwhen it rains - something that happens often, even in summer, due to the high elevation and the rich, wild vegetation of the forest.
Hiking in the Fraktos Virgin Forest is a challenge for nature lovers. The forest lies about 90 km. from the city of Drama andis administratively part of the Municipality of Paranesti.To get there, you should head toward the village of Paranesti and then follow the signs. Part of the route is on a dirt road.
From the Fraktos Forest Village, you can walk along uniquely beautiful trails through the dense forest. Starting from the forestry site, you can get to know the forest on three routes: toward the Virgin Forest, toward Vilaora, and toward the waterfalls - Achladochori. To spend the night in the wooden cabins, you must first contact the Forest Service.
