The Fraktos Virgin Forest is located in the north of the prefecture of Drama, next to the border with Bulgaria and has an area of about 11,000 hectares. The forest is located at a high altitude, just below the 1,950-meter-highest peak of central Rhodope, and reaches up to 1,500 meters high on the mountainside.
The forest is classified as ‘virgin’ because there has been little or no human activity in it for at least the last 500 years. This is a uniqueness not found in any other forest in Greece. It was declared a protected natural monument as early as 1980. On the periphery of the virgin forest there is a forest zone of very mild – ecological human activity, where only wood production and recreation is allowed.
Within the virgin forest we find hiking trails, as well as covered resting places in specific places, where visitors can take refuge when it rains, which happens often, even in summer, due to the high altitude and the rich, wild vegetation of the forest. The route of the local ultra-marathon Virgin Forest Trail (VFT) also passes through the virgin forest.
A few kilometres before the entrance to the Virgin Forest of Fraktos, there is the so-called Forestry Worksite, where there is the Forestry Department’s outpost and the loggers’ wooden houses, which can accommodate visitors staying overnight in the area. Another possible way of getting accommodation is camping in the same place.
The Fraktos Virgin Forest is distinguished by its intense, rugged geomorphology, in which the main body of water is the Achladorema. The Achladorema creates spectacular landscapes amidst the lush vegetation, and forms six waterfalls in the area, three of which are seasonal, meaning they only have water during the winter months.
But what makes the forest truly unique is its very distinctive flora. It is a mixed forest of evergreen and coniferous trees, in which we find tree species typical of Central and Northern European countries, which are rare in Greece. These include fir trees, beech trees, beech trees, pine trees, spruce trees, black walnut trees and birch trees. In fact, the Fraktos Virgin Forest is the southernmost point in Europe where we can find Norway spruce, or Norwegian spruce. The number, density and height of the trees create a unique backdrop of wild vegetation not found anywhere else in Greece. This is enhanced by the hard-to-find flowers that thrive in the region, such as the so-called lily of Rhodope, as well as other varieties of lilies, violets, wild carnations and geraniums, while the most unique and rare species are the numerous local varieties of orchids.
As for its fauna, the minimal human activity that has existed over time in this area has favored the large population of wild animals found on its borders. Among these, the birds of honor are birds, which are found in large numbers and include various species of raptors such as eagles and hawks, to significant populations of nuthatches, woodpeckers, woodpeckers, buffleheads, thrushes and blackbirds. The common fauna found in Greek forests is also very rich, including species such as bears, wild boars, wolves, foxes, deer, roe deer and vultures. The Forest is home to the last remaining population of red deer in Greece.
