Mountain wealth

A real plant paradise for naturalist visitors. In the Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia, one will encounter Balkan endemic plants that bloom all year round. Visitors can discover them through browsing different paths including rock garden, silver-colored ones, pharmaceutical and aromatic gardens, waterfalls, ponds, streams, formed paths, meadows and woodlands. The Balkan Botanic Garden, an area of ​​310 acres is one of the youngest of its kind in Europe and has a rare collection of aromatic and medicinal plants, traditional varieties of fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, ponds, and native species of the Balkan flora, all in a beautiful forest. It is open for visits and tours daily and the weekends until noon. This unique for the Balkans Botanical Garden is located near the picturesque village Pontokerasia and its modern hostel, where nature lovers can find their own little mountain paradise.

In Kroussia, a low and lush mountain range with dense forests of oak and ash the springs of the Gallikos River gush. The highest peak is Mavrovouni at an altitude of 1.179m.

Mountains of sharp contrasts, with ravines and gullies, with lush forests of beech, pine, ash and diverse fauna they offer hiking trails and friendly hostels. It is an ideal place for hiking and walking close to the nature. The Mount of Kroussia forms a unique 'eco trail', which offers many opportunities for outdoor activities, getting to know the local cuisine and genuine human contact with the hospitable locals.

Peaceful, friendly and charming, the Mount Paiko is ideal for mountain hikes and breathtaking naturalistic tours.It’s located on the northwestern part of the prefecture of Kilkis, along the border with the prefecture of Pella and its highest peak is GolaTsuka (1.650m).Its geographical position, combined with the altitude, the morphology and composition of the soil, gave to this area some quite rare characteristics.Through beautiful trails across green slopes, one can reach the picturesque villages of Paikos (for example Griva and Kastaneri) with their small paths, central squares and schools that resemble an older era.

Megala Livadia is also in Paiko, a Vlach village with a rich history, which justifies its name with the homonymous plateau surrounded by verdant peaks.The picturesque mountain village Archangelos dominates in the Mount Paiko, at 820m altitude. A beautiful village enriched with traditional elements, surrounded by green forests of beeches, oaks and thousands of cherry trees.The village is famous for its cherry and potato production and it is among the first villages nationwide, in cherry production.

Mega Rema (Kotza - Ntere) or Stream of Mayday is an idyllic location just 3 km from Axioupoli.It is an excellent fishing location and it features taverns, restaurants and accommodation options.In the east, at the location "Turkish fountain", at an altitude of 1450m a shelter is located, from where the top can be reached by an hour of hiking.Karpi is another small settlement on the eastern foothills of Mount Paiko (altitude 380m), which stands out for its Black River (TsernaReka).It came together from four other settlements in the area, which were consolidated in the years of the Ottoman rule.At the border of the country one can find the "gate" of Idomeni, with the beautiful water tower and the church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary that is distinguished for its interior decor.The settlement, which is known for the railway border station, was named after the ancient Idomeni, for which there are references in Herodotus and Thucydides.

The prefecture of Kilkis has a large variety of habitats and high diversity of species with many endemic species of flora and fauna. A large number of rare species of flora and fauna are observed in the mountains Dyssoro, Kroussia, Mavrouvouni and Paikos, as well as the vicinity region of Lake Doirani, and the Gallikos and Axios rivers.

The rare ecosystem of the water bodies of Pikrolimni with its mud baths, famous since Homeric years for its healing properties, is included in the network of Natura 2000 sites.