ELATIA FOREST (KARA DERE)

Elatia forest, also known as “Kara Dere”, is the largest and one of the most beautiful forests in Greece. Located in the northern part of the Drama prefecture, near the Greek-Bulgarian border, it connects eastward with the emblematic virgin forest of Fraktos, forming a green oasis with more than 1,800 plant species.
A distinctive feature of the area is its vast and unique for Greece spruce forests—a species usually found in Central and Northern Europe. Elatia is the southernmost point of its distribution. The trees here are the tallest in Greece, reaching up to 65 meters, creating a fairytale-like setting where the sun’s rays can barely touch the ground.
This dense forest is home to all the large mammals of Greece: bears, wolves, wild boars, deer, and roe deer. Rare bird species, such as the capercaillie and the hazel grouse, also find refuge here.
Of special note are two acidic peat bogs near the Elatia Forest Village—shallow water basins covering just a few acres, rich in rare aquatic plants. The pollen preserved in these peat bogs for thousands of years makes them a “living” paleobotanical museum. These bogs are extremely rare habitats, strictly protected under European law, attracting scientists from around the world.
Despite its impression as a pristine, untouched forest, Elatia’s history is relatively recent. Until the late 1940s, the area was mainly covered by meadows and pastures, with tall trees limited to peaks and steep slopes. Elatia was home to the nomadic Sarakatsani of Thrace, who were exclusively shepherds. Hundreds of thousands of sheep and goats grazed in its mountain meadows. Every autumn, before moving to their lowland winter quarters, they would burn vegetation remains to prevent tree expansion and encourage grass growth for grazing.
The Greek Civil War brought an end to the Sarakatsani nomadic way of life, as the state forced them to settle in the plains to prevent them from supplying the Democratic Army guerrillas. Yet, along with violence and destruction, the war also brought thousands of new trees: left to grow unchecked, they spread and created the unique forest landscape we see today. In the wider area, there is a particularly dense network of dirt roads, many of which pass by abandoned settlements, reminders of intense human presence until the mid-20th century. Most, however, were built for logging purposes. Very few of them, apart from the “main” routes, are recorded on websites or navigation apps. Therefore, if you wish to explore or cycle in the area, using a map (see here) is essential.

The proposed route follows a counterclockwise direction through the heart of Elatia forest, beneath the shade of imposing spruce and beech trees. Altitudes range between 1,300 and 1,600 meters, offering visitors a unique experience of the region’s natural beauty.
The route begins at Elatia Forest Village, initially following a wide dirt road toward Stravorema. At the first junction, we leave the main road and turn west (left) toward the abandoned settlement of Elatia, descending 5 km through the forest. This little-used dirt road, accessed only by loggers, takes us to “Mavro Rema” (Black Stream).
Next comes a 5 km uphill section through dense forest on a manageable dirt road, bringing us to the old Elatia logging camp. From here, the asphalt road leads us back to the starting point.