Nidje/Voras Mountain

Names in the national language

Voras (Greece)

Nidje (North Macedonia)

Location and short description

Nidje/Voras Mountain is located along the border of northern Greece and North Macedonia. It covers an area of around 900 km², from which 2/3 is located in Greece, and the rest in North Macedonia. The mountain is fairly large but secluded, with densely forested valleys and pastures, and a great variety of unfragmented habitats.  The mountain is exclusively rich in alpine pastures. In addition, it represents an important corridor for large carnivores and there are indications for the presence of the Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus).

Special features

Its highest peak “Kaimakchalan” (2,524 m) is located at the border between Greece and North Macedonia. It is one of the highest in southern Balkans, and the third highest mountain in Greece. There are at least 14 caves of great importance to palaeoecological research, but also crucial to bat populations of the area. Another remarkable feature of the area is the presence of several abandoned cultivars of aged chestnut woods, cherry, apple and cereal. These are scattered, forming a beautiful landscape with important habitats for wildlife.

Main biotop types

Macedonian pine fores, Macedonian oak woods, bog and pastures

Species

• Mammals: Brown bear (Ursus arctos), Grey wolf (Canis lupus), Wild cat (Felis sylvestris), Otter (Lutra lutra), Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)
• Birds: Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae), Spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocaractes), Imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni)
• Insects: Nebria aetolica kaimakcalanica, Pterostichus ottomanus kajmakcalensis, Tapinopterus purkynei, Carabus intricatus macedonicus
• Plants: Natural Scots pine stains (Prunus sylvestris), Dianthus kajmaktzalanicus (endemic), Viola eximia, Viola doerfleri, Pyrola chlorantha, Soldanella macedonica

Status of protection

Natura 2000 sites (Greece)