A protected forest, because of its rare ecosystem and beauty, is located north of the delta of Acheloos near the village of Lesini. The forest consists mainly of towering ash trees (called “fraxos” in Greek, and giving the forest its name), that even reach a height of 25 meters and diameter of 3. Following the paved, 3,5-kilometer long path you will go past lots of different trees and bushes that are exceptionally interesting. Ash tree forests exist in other parts of the prefecture such as Trichonio, but the one in Lesini is considered the last of its kind in Greece. A few years ago the forest reached up to 80000 acres but after drainage works, expropriations and farming activity its size was radically reduced to 460 acres. In 1985, it was characterized as a Preserved Monument of Nature with a high botanic, geographical and aesthetic interest and belongs to the National Park of Messolonghi-Aetoliko.
Ash tree’s therapeutic abilities are widely known since the age of Hippocrates.