This location is #54 on our Best Travel Destinations In Greece & Greek Islands Map!
The Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park, located in northeastern Greece near the town of Soufli in the Evros region, spans approximately 165 square miles. Nestled at the southeastern end of the Rhodope mountain range, the park features a diverse landscape of dense forests, rolling hills, and open meadows, with elevations ranging from 33 to 2,034 feet. Dominant tree species include black pine, Aleppo pine, and oak, creating a lush environment interspersed with small streams and seasonal wetlands. This varied terrain supports a rich ecosystem, making it a haven for wildlife and a prime destination for nature enthusiasts. The park’s accessibility can be challenging due to limited public transport, but its well-marked hiking trails and minimal entrance fees make it appealing for budget-conscious travelers and backpackers seeking a quieter alternative to Greece’s more crowded parks.
The park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, particularly as one of Europe’s most important sanctuaries for birds of prey. It hosts over 200 bird species, including rare and endangered raptors like the black vulture, Egyptian vulture, and griffon vulture, which nest in the park’s cliffs and trees. The Dadia Ecotourism Centre, established in 1995 with WWF Greece’s support, offers guided tours, observation hides, and a vulture feeding station where visitors can observe these majestic birds up close. Beyond birds, the park is home to 60 mammal species, such as wild boars, roe deer, and red foxes, as well as 12 amphibian, 29 reptile, and 104 butterfly species, alongside 360–400 plant species. Its location along a major bird migration route enhances its appeal for birdwatchers, while the diverse flora, including Mediterranean and temperate forest species, creates a vibrant, colorful landscape year-round.
Historically, the area was designated for protection in 1980 and officially established as a national park in 2006, covering its current 165-square-mile area. Conservation efforts, spearheaded by WWF Greece since the early 1990s, have focused on preserving the park’s raptor populations, which faced declines due to changes in local farming practices. These efforts have successfully integrated ecotourism, boosting local economies through infrastructure like the Dadia Ecotourism Centre and a women’s cooperative in Dadia village, which sells local products. The park’s cultural significance is enriched by its proximity to Soufli, known as Greece’s silk capital, with historical ties to the Silk Road era. In 2014, the park was submitted for UNESCO World Heritage consideration due to its ecological importance. However, it faced a significant setback in August 2023, when a massive wildfire, the largest recorded in the EU at the time, burned approximately 281 square miles, including parts of the Dadia Forest, claiming 18 lives and impacting conservation efforts. Despite this, the park remains a vital ecological and cultural landmark.
