Strofylia Forest

Strofylia stretches along the coast between the Prokopos lagoon and the sea, a belt of stone pine and Aleppo pine growing on old dunes, backed by the Kotychi lagoon and marshes that together form a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Some of the umbrella pines are centuries old with vast flat crowns, and in places the two pine species grow intermixed, which is rare. The wetland complex supports flamingos, herons, terns and large numbers of wintering waterfowl, while the dune beach at Kalogria runs for kilometres of pale sand. Tracks and a marked path system cross the forest, and an information centre near Lappa explains the ecology. Jackals live in the reedbeds, and loggerhead turtles occasionally nest on the outer beach.

What you actually see

• The umbrella pines - old stone pines with wide flat crowns on the dunes.
• The Prokopos lagoon - shallow water between forest and sea, rich in birds.
• Kalogria beach - a long dune beach at the forest's edge.
• The marked trails - walking and cycling routes through the pine belt.

When to go

Spring for birds and wildflowers, autumn for warm sea and quiet paths. July and August fill the beach with Greek holidaymakers; the forest itself stays cool and shaded.

Honest expectations

Signage is patchy and some tracks are sandy and awkward for ordinary cars. Mosquitoes near the lagoon are serious at dusk in summer. Facilities are concentrated at Kalogria beach; the forest interior has none.

Nearby

The Kotychi lagoon lies south; Patras and its ferries are under an hour northeast.