Flambouri

Mpafi Mountain Shelter, Kyra Spring, Flambouri Mountain Shelter, Koromilia spring, Messiano Nero, Memorial to Nazi victims, Mola Location, Mpafi Mountain shelter

A mountainous trail in Parnitha National Park, passing through the popular areas of Mola and Flambouri. These places are adorned by visitors and hikers, especially during the weekends. The journey offers moments of relaxation amid nature and a breath of fresh, clean air. However, there are also moments that require special attention. The suggested path presents varying levels of difficulty in several sections. Starting from any of the three points (Bafi, Mola, Flambouri), besides the recommended route, hikers have many options to follow their own path in the lush environment.

The route passes through the following landmarks. The sequence of landmarks also indicates the direction of the route.

Note: The orientation and safety of the walker/visitor is their sole responsibility. The present description, the related tracks (gpx) and the other informative material are simply a guide and do not in any way replace the personal responsibility of the visitor.

Landmarks:

• Parnitha
• Mpafi Location
• Kyra Springs
• Flambouri Mountain Shelter
• Koromilia Spring
• Messiano Nero
• Memorial to Nazi victims
• Mola Location
• Spring of Joy
• Mpafi Location

You will start your journey in Parnitha, a mountain in the Attica region that graces us with its beauty and magic, despite the mistreatment and fires it has endured. Parnitha has been mentioned since the antiquity, and its name, Parnis, is believed to have Pelasgian origins. The mountain’s name appears in Aristophane’s’ ” The Clouds” around 423 BC, while Pausanias notes in “Attica” that “the Mountains around Athens are Pentelicus with quarries, Parnis where one can hunt wild boars and bears, and Hymettus, which has vegetation suitable for bees…” On the summit of Parnitha, the existence of an altar and statues of Zeus was mentioned, at least during Roman times. On its slopes, in Varympompi, lies the tomb of the tragedian Sophocles. The Panos or Nymphaios Cave, where Pan and the Nymphs were worshipped over the years, has a continuous history of worship from prehistoric to Byzantine times. It is also called the “lichnospilia” or “lichnaritecha” (lichnos means lamp in Greek) because numerous lamps were found inside.

Parnitha covers an area of approximately 300 square kilometers, with its highest peak being Karavola at 1,413 meters. Pine trees at lower elevations and fir trees at higher points cover it. A significant part of it constitutes the homonymous National Park. It is integrated into the Natura 2000 network, serving as an important area for birds and has been declared a landscape of special natural beauty. In the mountainous range of Parnitha, besides the dominant species of Kefallonian fir at higher altitudes and Aleppo pine at lower elevations, one can find kermes oaks, wild juniper, black pines, oaks, pistacia, carob trees, holm oaks, judas trees, wild roses, and strawberry trees, among other tree species. The presence of over 1,000 species has been identified in the flora of Parnitha, including many beautiful and rare wildflowers. Deer, jackals, foxes, hares, badgers, hedgehogs, squirrels, recently wolves and wild boars, various rodents, and bats inhabit this area, while 132 species of birds fly and sing. In the past, there were also lynxes, wolves, and wildcats. According to the ancient traveler Pausanias, bears existed in the area, in antiquity as well.

The morphology of Parnitha, marked by great diversity, adds a special beauty and interest to the mountain. Hikers can encounter smooth peaks (Kyra, Karavola) as well as rugged ridgelines (Arma, Flambouri), small plateaus and clearings (Mola, Limiko), beautiful meadows and valleys, but also deep, challenging gorges and canyons (Gkoura), streams and sinkholes (Dekelias, Tamiltiou), along with characteristic dolines—small ground depressions resulting from limestone bedrock combined with movements of underground water. During the rainy season, some of these form water pools and create small ponds (loutses). Finally, the numerous cool springs of Parnitha contribute to its overall beauty.

At the same time, Parnitha serves as a base for military installations on its two highest peaks. On the summit of Mavrovouni, the Parnitha Casino (Mont Parnes), is accessible either by car or the Parnitha cable car. Unfortunately, two major wildfires in 2007 and 2023 caused extensive damage to both the flora and fauna of the area.

You will start your trail of this unique mountain from the location Bafi, where the homonymous mountain shelter is situated. Founded in April 1937 by the Hellenic Mountaineering Association (H.M.A.) of Athens. The shelter is open daily and offers food and accommodation upon reservation. The area attracts many visitors, especially during weekends and holidays. We proceed towards the spring of Kyra, also known as the spring of Fyli, a point of exceptional beauty filled with greenery. Renowned for its unique crystal-clear water, the source quenches the visitor’s thirst after the challenging ascent of the mountain. The space has been beautifully shaped and is connected to local legends.

As you continue towards the location Flambouri, where at an altitude of 1,158 meters, you will encounter the Flambouri mountain shelter, of the Mountaineering Club of Acharnes. Established in 1981, it was created from a small abandoned military building at the summit of Flambouri. With a captivating view towards the peaks of Euboea and the Peloponnese, the Euboean and Corinthian Gulfs, as well as the basin of Attica, it constitutes an ideal destination. It serves as an excellent stop for food, coffee, or an overnight stay.

From Flambouri, you will take the trail that starts to the right of the shelter’s photovoltaic panels. For approximately 200 meters, you will walk on a downhill path with a significant slope, which will soon lead you to a clearer and well-trodden trail within the forest. You will follow the red arrows along the way. The hike will take you through the fir tree forest of Parnitha, accompanied by the chirping of birds. Depending on the season, you may come across unique mushrooms. The end of the trail will lead you to a wide dirt forest road, where you will take the left direction towards the Koromilia Spring. In a few minutes, you will find yourselves in front of a beautiful clearing with running water. There, you will encounter the Koromilia Spring, where you can take a refreshing break or even have a lovely picnic to recharge and continue the journey. Going northeast on the trail, after 1.5 km, you will reach the location of Mesiano Nero. At this spot, you can rest in the pavilions and enjoy the view towards the Euboean Gulf and the Parnitha forest.

Continuing and reaching the location of Agia Triada, you will encounter a monument dedicated to the 17 shepherds from Menidi, Chasia, and Sarakatsanoi regions of Legraina. During the summer, the shepherds would ascend Parnitha with their families and flocks. The Germans captured them there and executed them on the 24/07/1944, as a reprisal for the execution of German soldiers by the partisans of the German commander in Kakosalesi. The youngest was 17 years old, and the oldest was 65. They were a father and son. The executed were buried in a mass grave without informing their families. The grave was accidentally discovered on November 1974 during the road construction excavations. On the 09/02/1975, the bones were reburied in a common grave in the Legraina Cemetery.

The next stop will be Mola or Agios Petros (Saint Peter). It is located on the northeast side of Parnitha, 7 kilometers away from Agia Triada. It features a chapel, Agios Petros, one of the most beautiful sights of Parnitha, numerous springs, and lovely meadows with organized recreation areas. Here, you can enjoy the crystal-clear mountain air and find benches, a fountain, a distinctive hollow tree trunk, as well as a small theater reminiscent of a miniature Ancient Epidaurus.

From Mola, across from the chapel of Agios Petros, taking a slightly uphill path marked with red signs, you will come across the small Spring of Joy. It is a picturesque stone spring with stone benches and crystal-clear water.

From there, walking on a good trail and a section with asphalt, you can pass over the Lakkas Bafi and end up at the Bafi Shelter, where you started this circular route.