Bafi Refuge to Mola: An Easy ~6 km Circular Trail on Mount Parnitha

Hello again. After a year of absence due to a bad motorcycle accident, I started hiking again. As I have not yet fully recovered (and will probably never do so), I mainly do short hikes close to Athens.

I am excited to share with you a new series: 6 Short Circular Hikes on Mount Parnitha. These trails are all between ~5 km and ~7 km (~3.1 to ~4.3 miles) and are perfect for a half-day escape.

This is Hike #1 in the series, starting from the iconic Bafi Refuge through the forest to Aghios Petros church and back.

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Mount Parnitha: A Local’s Favorite Escape

Rising to ~1,416 m (~4,645 ft), Parnitha is the “green lung” of Athens. It’s a unique sanctuary where you can spot red deer and even the occasional wolf within its dense spruce forests—some of which start at an altitude of ~900 m (~2,952 ft).

While the mountain has faced challenges from fires in 2007 and 2021, its ~10,000-acre (~4,046-hectare) National Park remains a stunning place for a quiet escape from the city noise.

Local Tip: For a deep dive into the mountain’s history and all the major summits, check out my Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Parnitha.

Logistics: How to Reach the Bafi Refuge Trailhead

There are two primary ways to reach the starting point for this hike. Your choice depends on whether you prefer driving or walking.

Option 1: Reaching Bafi by Car

• Distance: ~35 km (~21.7 miles) from central Athens.
• Time: Approximately 1 hour.
• Pros: You arrive directly at the refuge and avoid the hike up from the casino through the unshaded, fire-damaged area (burned in 2007).

Option 2: The Regency Casino Teleferic (Cable Car)

• Distance: ~25 km (~15.5 miles) from central Athens to the base station.
• Time: 30 to 45 minutes driving, plus the cable car ride.
• Pros: You avoid the winding, narrow mountain road.
• The Walk: From the Casino, it is a ~1-hour hike to reach Bafi Refuge.
• Cost: Free of charge (serves as a courtesy for casino guests and hikers).

Step-by-Step: The Walk from the Casino to Bafi

If you choose to use the teleferic, you will need to hike to the Bafi Refuge trailhead. Here is the route:

1. Exit the Casino: Follow the signs for “Εθνικός Δρυμός” (National Park). Exit through the northern door and head west, leaving the asphalt road.
2. The Heliport: Cross the abandoned heliport and pick up the path heading NNW.
3. The Kiosk: After ~1 km (~0.6 miles), you will reach a wooden kiosk in a dilapidated state. Turn right, then right again onto the asphalt road.

1. Enter the Earth Path: Walk ~200–300 m (~656–984 ft) on the asphalt until you see a post sign. Enter the earth path here.
2. Stay the Course: Follow this path for ~2 km (~1.2 miles). It is straightforward, but do not turn right at the sign for “Flabouri” (ΦΛΑΜΠΟΥΡΙ).
3. The Final Stretch: Just before the forest, there is a high step to climb. The last ~100 m (~328 ft) are steep but not technically difficult.

Hike #1: Bafi Refuge to Mola (Aghios Petros)

Quick Facts of the Trail:

Trail Feature	Details
Route Type	Circular / Loop
Distance	~6.0 km (~3.7 miles) total (from Bafi). Note: ~5.2 km (~3.2 miles) if starting from the asphalt road junction.
Duration	~2 hours (excluding breaks)
Elevation Range	From ~1,060 m (~3,477 ft) to ~1,210 m (~3,970 ft)
Elevation Gain	~200 m (~656 ft)
Difficulty	Easy to Moderate
Terrain	Earth path, almost entirely within the spruce forest.
Best For	Families, beginners, and half-day trips

This is an introductory hike linking two of the most well-known Parnitha landmarks. The Bafi refuge and the Mola area, with the post-Byzantine church of Aghios Petros (St. Peter).

Bafi has been refurbished in recent years by the company that runs it and offers a nice sitting space both outdoors and indoors (with a large fireplace) and many rooms with bunk beds for sleeping over.

Aghios Petros had been restored years ago and offers a stone-paved recreational area around the church. However, in the meantime, a shelter, on the southern side of the church, has crumbled.

There are two ways to reach Aghios Petros from Bafi. We here present the easy one, with lower elevation gain/loss and gentler slopes. There is a shorter one, through Aghios Georgios (Lykoporia).

The Lykoporia – Bafi leg is presented in Hike #3. But the Lykoporia – Aghios Petros (Mola) leg is more difficult with steeper slopes and loose stones.

The trailhead is either at the Bafi parking lot or at the intersection with the asphalt road, at the point shown on the following Google Maps view.

At some 500 m from the trailhead, you will reach a point where there is usually a little water flowing. With the exception of the dry season, this point is usually muddy.

Immediately after this point and after a concrete and iron pit, take the left side ascending path.

Shortly after, the trail turns to the left before turning right again.

At some 700 m from the trailhead, you will reach the asphalt road again. After crossing it, you enter the trail again.

 A wooden sign, with the inscription “ΜΟΛΑ”, will confirm that you are on track.

The trail is generally quite straightforward. At 1,6 km from the trailhead, you will find a point where the continuation is not visible, while a path appears to the right.

Continue straight ahead, and the ascending path will become visible.

After some 200 m, you will see, on a pine tree to your left, two red signs pointing to Skipiza (left) and Aghios Petros (ahead).

At almost 2 km from the trailhead, you will meet a fork. You may follow either path as they merge further ahead.

When you meet the so-called “Fountain of Joy”, you will be about 200 m from Aghios Petros.

You will find a fountain and a paved recreational area around the church, which is usually open.

If you follow the asphalt road to the left and then enter a barred (to vehicles) earth road for some 500 m, you will find a large open space with more wooden tables and benches.

On your way back, you will arrive at a fork where you shall take the right-hand side ascending path.

The other path leads to the asphalt road and then to Flabouri refuge, as shown by the sign which you will only see if you turn your head.

Finally, some 1.800 m from Mola, you will have to follow the path to the right as indicated by the wooden sign (“ΜΠΑΦΙ”), which, however, does not catch the eye.

This trail will get you back to Bafi refuge, where you can have a well-deserved lunch or a tea with herbs collected from the surrounding Parnitha slopes (tsai tou vounou).

Here is the Wikiloc record named “Bafi – Aghios Petros (Mola) and back”.

Beware of the fact that the software arbitrarily added a couple of straight lines, increasing the total length from 5,2 to 6,2 km.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

There is so much more to discover on this mountain! Head over to our comprehensive Hiking in Parnitha: The Ultimate Guide to Athens’ Highest Mountain to explore the full history, wildlife, and complete itineraries for your next adventure.

Essential Greece Travel Toolkit

Before you head out to Parnitha or continue your Greek adventure, save these essential resources:

Local Lingo

• Hello: “Ya sou” (Γεια σου)
• Thank You: “Efharisto” (Ευχαριστώ)

Emergency Numbers (Save these in your phone!)

• General Emergency: 112
• Ambulance: 166
• Fire Department: 199
• Police: 100

 Getting Around

• Athens Metro: Official Timetables & Tickets – Essential for getting to the base of the mountain.
• Trains: Hellenic Train – For trips to Sfendali or Northern Greece.
• Intercity Buses: KTEL – The best way to reach rural hiking spots.

 Bookings & Tours

• Accommodation: Booking.com – I recommend them for the best deals and flexible free cancellations.
• Car Rentals: Discover Cars – Find an affordable car to reach those hidden trailheads.
• Guided Experiences: Get Your Guide – Perfect for organized day tours and city walks.