Parnitha National Park

The area constitutes the nucleus of the Parnitha National Park and spans over the highest parts of Mt Parnitha. It is a wooded area noted primarily for its spreads of the endemic Cephallonia fir (Abies cephalonica) on relatively poor and dry soil, for temperate coniferous-tree forests (chiefly consisting of Pinus halepensis), maquis, mountainous grasslands, rocky hills, springs and streams.  The area supports two main vegetation zones: a) the Abies cephalonica zone (rising at 600-800 m or above) consisting of Abies cephalonica forests, Quercus ilex formations, also harbouring Q. pubescens, Fraxinus ornus, as well as other Mediterranean bushes occurring at high elevations; b) the zone of  Pinus halepensis and hard-leaved evergreen shrubs which either occur on their own  or form a sub-storey in pine forests. The area has been designated as a National Park since 1961.