Ainos is the highest mountain in the island of Greece after the mountains of Crete, at a height of 1628 meters. Much of its area is wooded, covered with fir trees. The fir trees of Ainos belong to a pure endemic variety, called Cephalonian Elati (Abies cephalonica) and lives about 500 years. It is a sturdy hardwood species that has been used in shipbuilding since antiquity. The dark green color of the fir leaves gave Aenos the name Monte Nero (Black Mountain) during the Venetian domination. The flora and fauna of Ainos is extremely rich. There have been recorded 400 different species of plants, with three of them, the Kefalonia violin or the menace, the sculptures of the rocks and the Ainos sapones, to be endemic. More than 100 species of birds (snake, goldfish, diploid, etc.) have been recorded in Ainos, and there are many reptiles, small mammals and important bats. Of particular interest are the half-horses of Ainos horse (Equus caballus) found mainly on the southeast slopes of the mountain. These horses were previously liberated by the inhabitants who could not maintain them, and over the years developed particular morphological characteristics. Their height ranges from 1.15-2.25 meters, they have dense mane and tail, deep and narrow chest, while their colors vary.

For the protection of the rich ecosystem of Ainos, the Ainos National Park was established in 1962 as a European Biogenetic Reserve and has been included in the European Ecological Network of Special Animals  and has also been designated as Wildlife Refuge. The National Park covers an area of ​​28620 acres and consists of two parts: the main volume of Ainos and the Rudi on the northwest side.

The highest peak of Ainos is Mega Soros, from which the view is excellent to all points of the horizon. On the way to the top we find two tourist parks for relaxation. Shortly before the top, we find ruins of a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, referred to by Hesiod. At an altitude of 1200 meters, we find an imposing building built before World War II and intended for a sanatorium but never worked. It was renovated in the 2000s and serves as a centre for environmental information and a conference centre with a guesthouse and offices of the Forest Management Agency. At an altitude of 1070 meters, we meet “Eudoxos”, a telescope complex, where secondary school students are trained in physics and astronomy.

Please note that it is very important for visitors to follow the Operation Regulation faithfully, as the fire is the main threat to the forest from antiquity to the present day. That’s why the park is not visited during the high-risk days in the summer months.