Mount Frakto is 40km away from the city of Drama. For centuries now the northeast part of the mountain is dominated by an “organic Parthenon”, the largest undisturbed Monument of Nature throughout Europe, the Virgin forest of Paranesi, 5892 acres big and divided in two sections (5020 and 872 acres respectively). It has been declared as a “Natural Monument” and it is the only virgin forest of the country. It is considered one of the most important forest systems in Europe and since 1980 it has been under special treatment. To visit the forest one needs to have a visitor’s pass (24 hours), provided by the local Forestry.
Trees here live up to 500 years and can grow to impressive sizes (59m high and 1,20m in diameter for pine trees and 45m high for Fagus sp). Steep slopes and small streams help the formation of waterfalls. As far as flora is concerned, the Frakto forest is quite exceptional as there are 15 taxa species. Fauna wise there is a rich list with a considerable population density. Birds in specific have more than 120 different kinds, a quarter of which needs to be under protective programs, whereas mammals ‘ bio diversity consists of 32 different species.
The most important ecological value of the forest is the undisturbed ecosystem. The later holds great importance as it can be used as a case study for the dynamic development of other forestry eco systems. The forest covers a total area of 1072 acres, 589 of which are characterized as Protected Zone, 269 acres are protected by a special bill from the ministry of Agriculture and 214 are under the protection of the local Forestry Office.
Official Website Rodopi Mountain-Range National Park
Distance from the Hotel: 40km