The Old-growth forest of Fraktos is the wildest forest in our country and is one of the remaining few undisturbed forest ecosystems in Europe. There is some confusion regarding the naming of the region.
The Old-growth forest of Fraktos is a part of the Forest of Fractos, which in turn is a part of the Fractos Forest Complex. The area of the latter reaches 119,352 acres, while the area of the Old-growth forest reaches 5,892 acres. It is also called the Old-growth Forest of Paranesti, while its earlier name was Zagrandenia, which name was given because the forest has really thick vegetation. The forest stretches across a basin blocked by peaks to the north, and the only way out of it is to the south.
It is located in the northeast of the prefecture of Drama, right on the border with Bulgaria and is part of a mountainous region with the highest peak being Deliboska (1,953 meters). Other peaks are Ypsoma (1,873 m), Lykolakka (1,850 m), Kapsalaki (1,829 m), Rahi (1,817 m), Makroulos (1,752 m) and Mnima Paraskeva (1,640 m).
The area is full of streams. The most important are the Achladorema, Lykolakkas, Vagelina and Stenorema streams. In the area of Fraktos is the Canyon of the Wild Goat, which is an important habitat for the wild goats, as well as the beautiful waterfalls of the Achladorema.
The Old-growth forest of Fraktos has been declared a Preserved Natural Monument since 1980, due to its great phytogeographical, ecological and historical value.
The growth in the area includes trees found in Northern and Central Europe. Trees such as black pines, firs, beeches, five-needle pines, spruces, Scots pines and birches create the most beautiful and mixed forests of our country. Some of the rarest and most important species of the Rhodope family grow in the forest. These are the spectacular Rhodope lily Lilium rhodopaeum, Geum rhodopaeum, Soldanella rhodopaea, Pulsatilla halleri rhodopea, violas Viola rhodopaea, Viola dacica and Viola tricolor macedonica, centaureas Centaurea napulifera and Centaurea nervosa, Chamaecytisus albus, Telekia speciosa , the carnation Dianthus superbus, the lily Lilium martagon, Vaccinium myrtillus, the spectacular Gentiana lutea symphyandra, Polygala anatolica, Moneses uniflora, St. John’s wort Hypericum montbretii, Oenothera glazioviana, bellflowers Campanula moesiaca, Campanula persicifolia and Campanula cervicaria, the Galeopsis bifida, Geranium sanguineum, Symphytum ottomanum, Rhinanthus rumelicus and Cirsium appendiculatum. Many rare orchids grow in the area, such as Epipactis pontica, Epipactis palustris, Corallorhiza trifida, Goodyera repens, Gymnadenia frivaldii, Epipogium aphyllum, Dactylorhiza cordigera, Orchis purpurea and Neotinea ustulata.
The avifauna includes many wonderful species such as the majestic grouse, the rare wood grouse, the sparrowhawk, the nutcracker and the goshawk.
Birds of the raptor family that live here are golden eagles, ospreys, viper eagles, ospreys, ospreys, falcons, sables, diplosina, buzzards, shrikes, peregrines, black kestrels and rock kestrels. Other important species that exist in the area are the owl, buzzard, pygmy owl, black woodpecker, three-toed woodpecker, gray woodpecker, goshawk, woodpecker, woodpecker, woodpecker, woodpecker, woodpecker, sparrowhawk, the mountain warbler, the dwarf flycatcher, the woodpecker, the pyrroula, the shrike, the shrike, the shrike, the shrike and the chrysanthemum.
The amphibian fauna includes 13 species, with the most important being crested newts, common newts, salamanders, toads, green toads, yellow bobcats, rare mountain frogs, tree frogs, tree frogs and tree frogs.
25 species of reptiles live in the area, such as Mediterranean turtles, loggerhead turtles, loggerhead turtles, green lizards, sand lizards, wall lizards, house snakes, cormorants, vipers, Thracian lappets, vipers, sapites, hornets, vipers and rare asters.
The presence of bears and wolves is constant in these forests. On the Greek-Bulgarian border is the last natural population of red deer living in our country. Many wild goats find shelter on the rocks and slopes. The mammal fauna consists of wild cats, wild boars, foxes, weasels, ptarmigan, otters, woodchucks, squirrels, hares and many species of bats.
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