The Plane Tree Forest of the Kireas River in North Evia

The Kireas River was once home to one of Greece’s most beautiful riparian forests. For decades, visitors came here to walk beneath towering Oriental plane trees, cross wooden suspension bridges, and relax beside one of Evia‘s clearest rivers. Sadly, much of that landscape has now disappeared. A deadly fungal disease has killed thousands of trees, including the famous giant plane tree that was once considered the largest in the Balkans.

Even so, the area is still worth visiting. The river continues to flow through a peaceful valley, many surviving trees remain, and the quiet riverside track makes for a pleasant short walk. If you’re driving between Prokopi and Mantoudi, it’s an easy and worthwhile stop.

Kireas River flowing through the Plane Tree Forest in North Evia — Kireas River flowing through northern Evia

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Where is the Kireas Plane Tree Forest?

The forest lies roughly halfway between Prokopi and Mantoudi in northern Evia, following the Kireas River through its broad valley. The easiest access is from the provincial road near Ktima Alexiou Restaurant.

From there, a short side road leads to a concrete ford (📍map), a low-water river crossing where water flows directly below the concrete surface through pipes. During wetter months, the ford may be submerged, meaning you’ll either need to wade across or postpone the walk if the current is too strong. Once across, the main riverside track follows the eastern bank of the river.

The drive takes about 1 hour from Chalkida and 2 hours from Athens.

Calm river flows over a concrete path, surrounded by lush greenery near the Forest of Kireas in Euboea, Greece. — The river crossing

If you’re planning a road trip on Evia and haven’t got a car already, you can compare some of the best rental deals here.

Walking through the forest

The walk is easy, almost flat, and suitable for anyone with basic fitness. There’s no official marked hiking trail, but the wide riverside track is easy to follow.

View of the Kireas River through the remaining plane tree forest in North Evia — Kireas River under an overcast sky

Although many of the great plane trees have disappeared, the route remains pleasant thanks to the flowing river, surviving vegetation, birds, and the quiet atmosphere. In several places, the river widens into shallow pools before continuing downstream over small rocky sections.

Young trees growing beside the Kireas River after the loss of much of the original plane forest — Regenerating vegetation along the Kireas River

Unlike the famous suspension bridges found elsewhere along the Kireas Valley, this access point is much simpler. The walk follows an old riverside road that occasionally becomes muddy after rain, while puddles often remain even during drier periods.

People walking along the riverside trail in the Plane Tree Forest of the Kireas River — Walking the riverside trail

On the same hike, you can also visit the nearby mining lakes.

The tragedy of the Kireas plane trees

The Kireas Valley has suffered one environmental disaster after another.

Following the devastating wildfires that affected northern Evia in 2021, the valley was further devastated by Ceratocystis platani, a pathogenic fungus responsible for plane tree canker stain. The disease attacks the roots and trunk of Oriental plane trees, and there is currently no known cure. Once infected, a tree inevitably dies.

Dead Oriental plane tree killed by fungal disease in the Kireas River forest — Dead plane tree

The fungus spreads naturally through interconnected root systems, but it can also be transported by contaminated machinery and cutting tools. As a result, thousands of centuries-old trees throughout the valley have been cut down to prevent further spread and eliminate the risk of collapsing trunks near roads and public areas.

Perhaps the greatest loss was the Giant Plane Tree (Geroplatanos) near Prokopi. Estimated to be several centuries, and possibly over a thousand years old, it was widely regarded as the largest Oriental plane tree in the Balkans. Today it no longer exists, having succumbed to the same disease that destroyed much of the forest.

Walking here today inevitably feels different from what visitors experienced only a few years ago. Dead trunks, cleared areas, and younger vegetation have replaced much of the dense canopy that once shaded the river. Nevertheless, enough of the landscape survives to appreciate why the Kireas Valley became one of northern Evia’s best-known natural attractions.

The Kireas River

The Kireas rises on the surrounding mountains of Kandyli, Fteritsa, Mavrovouni, and Pyxarias before flowing through the valleys around Prokopi and Mantoudi. Near the coast, it joins the Nileas River, and together they form the Voudoros River, which reaches the Aegean Sea near Krya Vrysi Beach.

The river has been known since antiquity. According to the ancient geographer Strabo, sheep drinking from the Kireas supposedly gave birth to white lambs, while those drinking from the neighbouring Nileas produced black ones. Local folklore later filled the riverside forest with fairies, elves, and other mythical creatures said to inhabit the secluded valley.

Tips for visiting

Visit in spring or autumn for the most pleasant temperatures.
Wear waterproof hiking shoes, especially after rainfall.
Check the water level before attempting to cross the concrete ford.
Combine the visit with Prokopi, the Church of Saint John the Russian, or Mantoudi if you’re exploring northern Evia.
Allow around 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how far you choose to walk.

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