Easternmost Greek Macedonia and Greek Thrace

Mt. Menikio

Northwest of Serres, this limestone mountain is very spread out, its highest point at 1963 meters (6439 feet), with beautiful oak forest on its lower slopes, including Turkish and Hungarian oaks and likely others as well.

Flowery grasslands, which are grazed, lie within the forest, with spectacular colors in autumn.

Higher up the forest includes black pine and some (less) fir trees. A significant area for breeding birds is in the western part of this mountain, sometimes given the name Mt. Kouskouras, with various vultures, eagles, falcons and Levant sparrowhawks, owls, woodpeckers, and other birds.

Flora is also quite rich, with good orchids. There are lovely routes to this area.

Strymon Delta

The Strymon River has suffered greatly from irrigation projects, reservoirs, pollution and dumping, but some small lagoons and some wetland, saltmarsh and sand dunes remain at the delta with some breeding birds and a variety of birds that visit in winter: grebes, flamingoes, birds of prey, kingfishers, kites, great white egrets.

There's still some flora on the dunes, though summer vacationers tend to walk on it too much, and some lovely heather that flowers in autumn in nearby hills. The delta can be reached from Nea Kerdilia on the west; or from the main Kavala road which crosses the river.