To go to considered one of Greece’s nationwide parks is to see the nation at its most wild and dramatic. The nation’s first park, Mount Olympus, was established in 1938, and there at the moment are a complete of 10 nationwide parks and two marine parks in Greece, set as much as shield their distinctive wildlife and vegetation.
Services in parks are sometimes fundamental, strolling trails will not be at all times maintained and in a single day refuges are easy. However to most, the services matter little when in comparison with nature’s magnificent backdrop. Right here’s a rundown of Greece’s nationwide parks and what they provide to guests.
Mt Olympus Nationwide Park
Greatest for historical past
A focus of Historic Greek mythology, awe-inspiring Mt Olympus is just spectacular to behold, firing guests’ imaginations right this moment, simply because it did for the ancients who commemorated it.
Olympus grew to become Greece’s first nationwide park in 1938 and is residence to greater than 1700 plant species, some uncommon and endemic, in addition to wolves, jackals, deer and greater than 100 chicken species. Legend additionally locations it as the house of the Greek gods, and lots of hikers are compelled to summit the park’s namesake peak, the best mountain in Greece, overnighting in one of many 15 refuges that dot the forested hillsides en route.
Mt Parnitha Nationwide Park
Greatest for a fast journey from Athens
This wooded parkland an hour drive north of Athens is a well-liked escape for Athenians eager to get their weekend nature repair, with trekking, climbing, biking and canyoning all on provide.
The park is criss-crossed by climbing trails and is residence to plenty of cave programs, in addition to a lot wildlife, together with a big inhabitants of uncommon purple deer. Two massive, full-featured climbing lodges are additionally positioned within the park (serving meals), in addition to a cable automobile, which was constructed to serve the hilltop Mont Parnes Regency On line casino,
Parnassos Nationwide Park
Greatest for climbing, mountain climbing and snowboarding
Parnassos Nationwide Park, positioned close to Delphi on the Greek mainland, boasts three peaks greater than 2300m excessive: Parnassos itself (2457m), Tsarkos (2416m) and Gerondovrachos (2396m). The slopes help Kefallonian fir, spruce and juniper, interspersed with yellow-flowered shrubs, plum bushes and the uncommon purple-flowered Daphne jasminea.
The park is in style with hikers, rock climbers (1882m-high Kouvelos has a very in style rock face for climbing), and, within the winter months, skiers and snowboarders.
Prespa Nationwide Park
Greatest for wildlife
West of Florina in northern Greece, the dual Prespa Lakes are a panoramic magnificence spot, wealthy in wildlife and historical past. At a million years previous, Megali Prespa and Mikri Prespa (Nice Prespa and Small Prespa) are amongst Europe’s most historical lakes. Greece shares Megali Prespa with North Macedonia and Albania, and Mikri Prespa with Albania alone.
The wildlife is plentiful. Brown bears, wolves and wild pigs are simply a number of the 40 mammal species, alongside 260 chicken species of birds, together with the world’s largest colony of Dalmatian pelicans at Mikri Prespa, in addition to nice white pelicans. A clutch of sleepy, atmospheric highland villages act as springboards to this majestic wilderness.
Nationwide Marine Park of Alonnisos
Greatest for marine life
The biggest of Greece’s nationwide parks and one of many largest marine protected areas in all of Europe, the Nationwide Marine Park of Alonnisos was Created in 1992 with a main intention of defending the endangered Mediterranean monk seal and several other uncommon seabirds.
In summer time, boats from Alonnisos and Skopelos, each members of Greece’s Sporades island chain, run full-day journeys by way of the pristine park, whose sea ground is carpeted in oxygen-producing posidonia. The shy monk seal isn’t seen, however chances are you’ll spot dolphins (three species), turtles, Eleonora’s falcons and even migrating whales.
Iti Nationwide Park
Iti Nationwide Park (generally often called Oeta Nationwide Park) is considered one of Greece’s most stunning however least developed parks, stretching throughout the upper slopes of swish Mt Iti (2151m), 25km southwest of Lamia. It’s a verdant expanse of forests of fir and black pine, upland meadows, wild mushrooms and snow-melt swimming pools fringed by marsh orchids.
Trails criss-cross Iti Nationwide Park. Ipati, the place noticeboards illustrate potential routes, makes an excellent start line. For nice day hikes, trek for round 4 hours (8km) every method to the often-locked refuge (Trapeza at 1850m) close to the Pyrgos summit (2151m), or to the villages of Kastania and Kapnohori.
Samaria Nationwide Park
Greatest for hovering cliffs and wildflowers
On the coronary heart of Samaria Nationwide Park is 16km-long Samaria Gorge, considered one of Europe’s longest canyons, which pulls legions of hikers to Crete every year.
There’s an simple uncooked magnificence to the canyon, with its hovering cliffs and needlenose passageways. It’s particularly scenic in April and Could, when wildflowers brighten the path. There are relaxation stops alongside the best way with fundamental rest room services, and comes the place you’ll be able to refill your water bottle. Maintain your eyes peeled for kri-kri, an endangered wild goat the park was created to guard from extinction.
Nationwide Marine Park of Zakynthos
Greatest for snorkeling with turtles
Encompassing the marine space of the Bay of Laganas on the southern finish of the island of Zakynthos, the Nationwide Marine Park of Zakynthos was established to guard considered one of Europe’s most endangered marine species, the loggerhead turtle.
Zakynthos hosts the most important density of loggerhead nests, with as much as 1300 recorded in some years alongside the Bay of Laganas. Throughout breeding season (from Could to October), nesting seashores are barred to guests between nightfall and daybreak; however many eggs are nonetheless destroyed by guests. You might be able to spot a turtle on a snorkelling journey across the island, and you may be taught extra about defending them on the island’s Mediterranean Marine Life Centre.
Cape Sounion Nationwide Park
Greatest for admiring the Temple of Poseidon
Cape Sounion is considered one of Greece’s smallest nationwide parks and is residence to plenty of sandy seashores, quick strolling trails and a scattering of atmospheric villages.
Nonetheless, the explanation most individuals go to is to admire the mighty Temple of Poseidon, which stands atop a craggy spur that plunges 65m to the ocean. In-built 444 BC – the identical yr because the Parthenon – of marble from close by Agrilesa, it’s a imaginative and prescient of gleaming white columns. Sailors in historical occasions knew they have been almost residence once they noticed the primary glimpse of white; views from the temple are equally spectacular.
Northern Pindos Nationwide Park and Vikos-Aoös Nationwide Park
Greatest for rivers and lakes
North of Ioannina, the big Northern Pindos Nationwide Park consists of the Vikos-Aoös area (technically its personal nationwide park) across the plunging Vikos Gorge, and the Valia Kalda forest north of Metsovo. Constant throughout the almost 200,000 hectares are pristine rivers and forests, flowering meadows, and shimmering lakes.
Virtually one-third of Greece’s flora lives right here, together with native fish, foxes and chamois, uncommon hawks, otters and bears. Greece’s second-highest peak, Mt Smolikas (2637m), is on the distant north aspect, a first-rate vacation spot for backcountry hikers.
Ainos Nationwide Park
Greatest for mountain trails
Standing proud over the island of Kefalonia is the lumbering hulk of Mt Ainos (1628m), most of which falls inside Ainos Nationwide Park. The mountain’s higher reaches are dominated by historical, gnarled Greek fir and black pine, by way of which afternoon mist and cloud continuously swirl.
Customer services throughout the park are pretty undeveloped, however 5 strolling trails have been established. The 2 hottest trails go as much as the summit from reverse sides of the mountain after which loop again round to their respective beginning factors. You may as well drive nearly all the best way to the summit for wonderful views throughout the island. Look out for the small wild horses that roam the park.
