As “inaccessible mountains" have been defined all those Areas Without Roads
in the country with perimeter zone of one kilometer. In these areas, the
opening of new roads and the creation of other artificial interventions that
alter or change the natural environment is prohibited.
In addition, they are subjected to a high protection regime. The regulation refers in particular to the White Mountains in Crete, Saos in Samothrace, Smolika and Tymfi in Epirus and Grevena, Taygetos in the Peloponnese and Mount Hatzi in Trikala.
In particular, there have been characterised six areas:
- Lefka Ori - Area: 382.06 sq.km. | Altitude: 0-2.453 m.
- Saos - Area: 97.30 sq.km. | Altitude: 0-1.611 m.
- Smolikas - Area: 102.89 sq.km. | Altitude: 782-2.637 m.
- Tymfi - Area: 202.75 sq.km. | Altitude: 460-2.497 m.
- Taygetos - Area: 143.23 sq.km. | Altitude: 432-2.407 m.
- Hatzi - Area: 45.61 sq.km. | Altitude: 598-2.038 m.
It is
prohibited to open roads for motor vehicles, to extend the existing ones
regardless their category, as well as any kind of technical intervention,
change or alteration of the natural environment.
Existing legally existing
projects and their maintenance are not affected. It is allowed to mark, repair,
maintain and improve existing mountaineering and hiking trails, without the use
of motorized access and provided that the operations will be implemented with
natural materials.
Projects for the purposes of National Defense, as defined in
accordance with the provisions of current legislation, are excluded from the
terms and restrictions.
Excluded from the above prohibitions are projects and
interventions that are implemented due to emergencies (earthquakes, floods,
disasters, fires, etc.) if care is taken for the restoration of the environment
and projects and interventions deemed necessary for reasons of protection and /
or restoration of nature and forest environment.
All licenses issued so far by RAE will be revoked.
