Pefkias Forest

On the east side of the town of Xylokastro, on an area stretching out to 2.000 m / 6.500 ft by the sea you can find the forest area of Pefkias. This magnificent pine forest dates at least 300 years back. The presidential decree of 1974 has officially acclaimed this area to be a natural forest park, placing it among the other 9 protected areas in Greece, as described in the -more recent- Barcelona Convention of 1994. Botanologists  have recorded the existence of more than 80 species of plants: pine trees, myrtles, terebinth shrubs, chaste trees, cedars, thymes, kermes oaks, tamarisk trees and wild reeds.

This pine-clad, green area is indeed a natural refuge, ideal for a walk, or jogging, while the installed wooden tables in the area can be used for a picnic, out on the open air. Alternatively, one can choose to enjoy a coffee, a drink or lunch in the beautiful environment of the "Touristiko periptero", "Baraki", "Beach Connection" or the "Sicyon Coast Hotel".

It is said that poet Kostas Karyotakis (1896-1928) was inspired to write his poem "O Ypnos" under the shade of the pine trees of Pefkias.