A remnant of nature from the time when oak trees dominated the Peloponnese
Moggostos Forest—much smaller than the well-known Foloi Forest in the mountains of Ilia—stands out for its beauty. It is at altitudes of 700-930 metres on the slopes of Mount Kyllini in Corinthia and covers an area of slightly more than 7,000 hectares. Of these, 5,200 have been protected as "aesthetic forests" since 1977 and are part of the NATURA network today.
The forest is located between the villages of Throfari, Megalos Valtos, and Souli. The latter is built at an altitude of 620 metres and offers a wonderful view of the Corinthian Sea.
The forest itself is definitely recommended for easy hiking, as it has a network of well-maintained forest roads and trails. For this reason, the naturalists and hiking clubs of the wider region choose it for excursions.
In addition to the broad-leaved oak that gives Moggostos the designation "oak forest," other trees and plants found here are the black pine, the Chalepian pine, the heather, and various types of wildflowers.
Dryodasos Moggostos, like the much larger Foloi, is one of the remnants of the ancient oak forests of the Peloponnese. They are small visible samples of how different Greece's flora (and fauna) was, even in periods for which the concept of "climate change" did not exist.
After all, Dryodasos Moggostos could be one of the many places in the Peloponnese where lions lived in the Prehistoric Period and which inspired the mythical "lion of Nemea."
What is certain is that the forest of Corinth offers a day escape from the hustle and bustle of Athens, especially now that the temperature is rising, as long as visitors show respect for the centuries-old oaks and other trees.
What is the aesthetic forest?
As mentioned, this forest is one of 19 aesthetic forests in Greece, covering an area of 325,000 acres.
According to the Forest Code of 1971, an aesthetic forest has the characteristics of a National Forest "but having particular aesthetic, health, and tourist importance."
In the protection status of the natural or artificial forest, its status as a place of human recreation is prioritised thanks to the beauty of the landscape and its other characteristics. This does not mean that the protection of the natural environment is not of interest or that rare species of birds and animals cannot live in the forest.
Some tips and information for an excursion in the area:
Dryodasos Moggostos is about 120 kilometres from Athens, about 122 kilometres from Patras and about 45 kilometres from Corinth.
The forest can become part of a naturalist excursion with an educational character. This excursion will include a visit to Lake Stymphalia and the Museum of the Environment, where you will get to know the area's flora and fauna better.
In the summer months, Xylokastro is a good additional option, with its long beach, one part of which stretches in front of a large pine forest.
This article first appeared in Greek on Travel. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos.
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