Foloi Oak Forest

The Foloi Oak Forest is a unique ecosystem in the western part of the Peloponnese peninsula. It stretches to at an altitude of 600-630 meters on the plateau of the Foloi Mountain, on the boundaries between Elis, Arcadia and Achaia, and is the only oak forest in the Balkans and one of the oldest in Europe. The forest covers an area of about 42,000 acres (40 km2), and it consists mainly of broadleaf oaks. The oak trees are 15-20m tall and can live up to 200 years. The tall trees form a fairytale setting crossed by the Erymanthos and Ladon rivers.     

According to mythology, the forest was named after the Centaur Pholus who lived there. Legend has it that Pholus, one of the only two good centaurs, offered refuge to his friend Hercules when the latter was searching for the Erymanthian boar. Hercules accidentally killed Pholus when they both came under attack by the rest of the centaurs. This forest is also known as “The balcony of Ilia” because of the stunning views from the edge of the plateau.  

The Foloi Oak Forest is located approximately 25 kilometers from Ancient Olympia and about 240 kilometers from Athens (three hours by car). It has been designated as a protected area, and is enlisted in the NATURA 2000 network of the EU. This forest is a perfect place for hiking and cycling, thanks to the completely flat plateau on top of which it is located. One of the best routes is the one that starts from the Environmental Museum of Foloi, at the entrance of the forest, and leads to the Erymanthus Gorge. Another popular hike is the eight-kilometer long Gravata trail that can be completed within two hours. This trail owes its name to the hundreds of ties (gravates in Greek) tied to the trees to mark the path.

The best season to visit the forest is spring and early autumn. Near the forest are the mountain villages of Foloi and Kournani, known for their traditional tavernas and excellent food, while 12 kilometers away is the village of Lampeia (or Divri), one of the most beautiful villages in Peloponnese. A day trip to Foloi forest can be perfectly combined with a visit to the Environmental Museum of Foloi where you can discover the area’s history and the most beautiful hiking routes.

Photo: Andreas athanasopoulos, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons