An ecosystem of unique ecological value is spread around the beautiful forest of Strofylia, which is one of the largest forests in the Mediterranean. ... Nature was in a great mood when it created Strofylia and this mood is transferred to the visitor of this vast area of 20,000 acres of forest, with pine trees, the myrtles, the heathers and the acorns, which lies a few miles west of Araxos, an hour away from Patras, in a zone parallel to the blue sea of Kalogria beach, which is an ideal place to enjoy sandy beach with shade in a few steps.
Among the dense trees Strofylia you will find ferrets, weasels, sparrow hawks, eagle owls, goldfinches, crows, magpies, crows and other rare species of birds in Europe, that are protected by the international Ramsar convention
The area attracts thousands of visitors from Greece and abroad. On the beach of Kalogria turtles Caretta -Caretta lay their eggs. The forest of Strofylia separates like a "pine" line the Prokopo Lake from the Ionian Sea. Mounds of sand along the coast created by the waves and marine currents do not allow the water streams to return to the sea. Thus the lake and the lagoon of Prokopos and Kotychi were formed.
These exceptional fresh waters attract many rare species of aquatic and transient birds, arriving to spend the winter, and many amphibians and reptiles hide among the rare plants. The area is a natural farm with sea bass, mullet and eels, and is protected by the Ramsar Convention (1971). On the banks of the lake there is a bird observatory. The cluster of Strofylia the Kotychi lagoon and Lake Prokopou, extends along 15 km and complements the Papa lagoon, which is a long very important natural fish farm. The Papas (Pope) name did not come accidentally. It is said that during the Venetian Domination the Vatican was supplied with the local with delicious bream. There are many paths for the hikers, that cross different types of habitats. The area has low hills and with Mavra Vouna (Black mountains, height 240 m) being the most important.