Kotychi and Strofylia Wetlands National Park

The Kotychi and Strofylia Wetlands National Park is a protected area in the prefectures of Achaea and Ilia in western Greece. It includes the Strofylia forest, the Black Mountains, the lakes Lamia, Prokopos and Papa, the Kotychi lagoon, the river Larissos, Cape Araxos, the Ancient wall of Dymaioi and a long sandy beach. It was declared a national park in 2008 and is protected by the Ramsar Convention and Natura 2000. It is a wildlife refuge and a rich wetland with marshes, artificial canals, rivers, lagoons, dunes and sand hills, and the Strofylia forest has stone pines, Aleppo pines and oaks. Ducks, herons, otters, flamingos, coots, pelicans and many amphibians and reptiles find shelter here.

Visiting Strofylia and Kotychi

The park combines a lagoon (about 750 ha, the largest on the Peloponnese), dunes and a pine forest on the Ionian coast. It lies on the western migration route, and more than 260 bird species have been recorded. May, June and October are pleasant months, and early morning and late afternoon are best for birds, since midday heat sends them into the shade. Small access roads lead to car parks and observation hides, forest paths run through the shade, and the beach areas are quiet. Access to the lagoon itself may need special permits from the local cooperative, so ask first.