Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dhadhiá Forest Reserve
A little under 40km northeast of Alexandhroúpoli, the
Dhadhiá Forest Reserve
stretches over 352 square kilometres of protected oak and pine forest covering a
succession of volcanic ridges in the Évros Valley. The diversity of landscape and
vegetation and the proximity of important migration routes make for an extremely
diverse flora and fauna, but raptors are the star attraction, and main impetus for this
WWF-backed project. In all, 36 of Europe's 38 species of diurnal birds of prey,
including eagles, falcons, hawks and buzzards, can be sighted at least part of the year.
The region is also one of two remaining European homes of the majestic
black vulture
,
the other being the Extremadura region of Spain.
The reserve complex
March-May & Sept-Nov daily 9am-7pm; June-Aug daily 8.30am-8.30pm; Dec-Feb Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm, Fri-Sun 9am-6pm
After a drive of 7km through the rolling, forested hills, you reach the reserve complex,
with its information centre and exhibition about the region's wildlife. All cars - except
for a tour van which makes sorties several times daily (€3) - are banned from core areas
totalling 72 square kilometres, and foot access is restricted to two marked trails: a
two-hour route up to the reserve's highest point, 520m
Gíbrena
with its ruined
Byzantine castle, and another ninety-minute loop-route to an observation hide
overlooking
Mavrórema
canyon from where griffon vultures and other raptors make up
the bulk of sightings.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
DHADHIÁ FOREST RESERVE
4
By car
The reserve is reached by a clearly marked road off
to the left, 1km after passing the second right-hand turn-
off to Likófi (Likófos).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
It's a good idea to stay the night, as the best raptor viewing is in the early morning or evening in summer (but virtually all
day Oct-March).
Ì
Ecotourism Lodge
Dhadhiá village
T
25540
32263,
W
ecoclub.com/dadia.
The cosy, suitably rustic
en-suite rooms have been given bird names instead of
numbers at this lodge run by t
he e
cotourism centre, which
also has a café and restaurant.
€43
Pelargos
Dhadhiá village square
T
25540 32481.
Simple
psistariá
that churns out cheap and tasty grills plus
a few salad and vegetable items for hungry twitchers.
Daily 11am-11pm.
Souflí
The nearest town to Dhadhiá, 7km north of the side turning and set among lush
mulberry groves, is
SOUFLÍ
, renowned for a now all-but-vanished silk industry. The
town's history as Greece's silk centre in Byzantine and Ottoman times, and a fascinating
explanation of the whole silk-making process, are documented (with English text) in
the
Folk and Silk Museum
(Wed-Mon: Easter to mid-Oct 10am-2pm & 5-7pm; rest
of year 10am-4pm; €1.50), a little way uphill and west of the main through road. It's
lodged in a fine old yellow mansion, one of a number of surviving vernacular houses,
including semi-ruined
bitziklíkia
, or
koukoulóspita
in Greek (cocoon-houses), which
lend Souflí some distinction.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
SOUFLÍ
Egnatia
Egnatía 225
T
25540 24124.
This small, simple
hotel offers rudimentary comforts and gets some noise
from the
mai
n road outside but is still the best-value option
in town.
€35
Lagotrofio
Yiannoúli village, 4km from Souflí
T
25540
22001.
Excellent taverna serving wild boar and other game
for under €10, plus
mayireftá
standards, at a wonderful
shady hilltop location with panoramic views.
Daily:
June-
Sept noon-midnight, Oct-May 8pm-midnight.
