Ecologically speaking, the entire Rodopi is one of the most interesting areas of Europe, because of its great biodiversity. This is due to its geographical position, the geological composition and geomorphology, but also the fact that it was not affected by glaciers. This had the result that many species from Central and North Europe found their refuge in Rodopi in the past. Today the area marks the southern-most limit of their expansion. Particularly in the central and western part of the mountain range, some of the less altered natural ecosystems of Europe can be found. They host a large variety of habitats and rare types of plants and animals.

The Greek part of Rodopi shows great ecological interest, despite the relatively small area it covers. All the vegetation zones can be found there, from purely Mediterranean to purely continental and the zone of the northern psychrophilous conifers of the pre-alpine zone and North Europe. In the Greek part of the range, the ecosystems variety appears great, on a relatively small area.

On the north part of the Prefecture of Xanthi, the massif of the area is famous for its virgin forests, its peaks, waterfalls. Also, the Nestochoria (Nestos villages) in the wider Nestos area, but also in the mountainous areas. Among them the “Pomakochoria”, famous for their cultural and architectural uniqueness..

Sites worth visiting:

• Livaditis waterfalls (Trachonio)
• Forest of Chaidou
• Peaks: Gyftokastro (1.828m.), Chaidou or Drymos (1.608m.), Erymanthus or Antalofos (1.569m.), Mavri Petra (1.586m.)
• Acid peatlands
• The Meeting of the Sarakatsani in the region of Livaditis
• The bridge of “Leonidas” in Arkoudorema, “Papas” near Oraio, “Stamatis” (3,5km from Sminthi)
• Nestochoria
• Pomakochoria
• Macedonian Tomb