Paranesti is the last remarkable resort to supply ourselves with fuel and food, starting our way, in order to visit an extremely interesting hinterland with loads of virgin woods, waters that flow into the Nestos, exquisite waterfalls, artificial lakes and thermal waters. North-east to the Virgin Forest of Frakto and the waterfalls and north-west to the lake and the Thisavros Dams (Dams of Treasury), are the most interesting routes.
We suggest an exciting route of 9km, in order to find the mountainous residence of Perivlepto, at the junction of the artificial lake and the dams of Thisavros. By an accessible, narrow road, we are going to enjoy a walk through a gully, full of running water and various flora, trees are low and allow us to watch as far as our eyes can reach over the tops of Rhodope. We enter the village at 780m height driving, without any difficulties, where you have an opportunity to enjoy the peaceful landscape. Around the hill, we can see only farmhouses of the last century which are having been damaged through ages. We are welcomed by the only family that lives there today and their only occupation is the cattle. Perivlepto attracts many visitors and loggers in the summer-time and gathers many immigrants and orthodox as well, for the St Demetrius feast, on 26 October, where everybody entertains himself, dancing and tasting local delicacies.
Going back to the dams, after 11km, we reach Platanovrisi Dam. We keep up and pass through the new bridge of Nestos, in order to enter the impressive earthen dam of Thisavros, 9km further from the former. We will go up to the highest point of the dam with our vehicle to enjoy the panoramic view of the area. The changes of the natural environment are obvious, because, there, has been formed a remarkable artificial lake. Here, you are able to visit the factory inside the mountain, after the agreement of the hydroelectric power-station management, in order to gather much information about the economical importance of the projects and their impacts to the environment. We can continue our drive, having the appropriate vehicle, to Sidironero, 22km away.