The best hiking routes in Εθνικό πάρκο Ανατολικής Μακεδονίας και Θράκης

Εθνικό πάρκο Ανατολικής Μακεδονίας και Θράκης is a vast wetland complex dominated by the deltas of the Nestos and Evros rivers, lagoons, and coastal dunes. Walkers should not expect mountain trails or deep gorges here; the landscape is resolutely flat, shaped by alluvial deposits and brackish water. The terrain varies between hard-packed dirt tracks along agricultural canals, soft sandy stretches near the coastline, and occasional wooden boardwalks crossing marshy sections.

Walking here requires an eye for subtle transitions in vegetation. You will transition from dense riparian forests of willow and alder along the riverbanks to salt marshes dominated by glasswort, and finally to dry, scrubby sand dunes. The paths are often exposed, with little shade outside the riverine woods, meaning the landscape feels open and dominated by the horizontal lines of the Aegean coastline and shallow lagoons.

Underfoot, the tracks are mostly level but can be uneven, with sandy sections that require more effort to traverse. While the core lagoon areas are popular with birdwatchers, especially during the spring migration in April, the long coastal tracks and river dykes generally offer a quiet, self-guided experience where the main focus is observing the interface between freshwater systems and the sea.