Hiking Sfendali Trail in Northern Parnitha

While many hikers stick to the southern trails near the cable car, the Sfendali loop offers a wilder, more secluded side of the mountain.

This 13 km (~8 miles) route takes you through the deep forests of Northern Parnitha, a massive area covering ~450 sq. km (~173 sq. miles).

Because Parnitha is so vast, I have organized the logistics, safety tips, and the other top routes in my complete Parnitha hiking guide.

I recommend checking that guide first to understand the different zones of the National Park before you dive into the specific turns of the Sfendali-Vrokoli-Paliomilesi loop.

In this post, we’ll cover the specific path from the Sfendali train station, which is one of the few trails on the mountain you can reach without a car.

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My Latest Video on Parnitha Mountain

Parnitha is the largest mountain in Athens, with hundreds of trails for all levels and landscapes.

From rugged terrain to deep fir and pine forests, caves, and streams, with amazing views of Athens, the Aegean Sea, and Marathon Lake, depending on which area of the mountain you are hiking!

Technical information for the Sfendali Trail

• Trail: 13 km, loop.
• Elevation: From 250 m to 815 m.
• Elevation gain: 595 m, Elevation loss: 595 m.
• Total Time:  About 5-6 hours, including pauses. More on snowy terrain.
• Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate, mainly due to the steep descending slope from Xouliza to Paliomilesi.
• Terrain: Mostly an earth path in a pine forest and an earth road.
• Best time to hike: All year round. We hiked in mid-October.
• Participation Requirements: Not especially demanding under good weather conditions. A good physical condition is required in case of snow.
• Gear: Ηiking poles will be useful in case of wet terrain, especially for the downhill part. Waterproof breathable hiking boots and gaiters will be most useful on snowy terrain.
• Water:  There is a tap with drinking water 1 km after the starting point. In any case, always carry with you at least 1.5 liters of water and salty snacks.

Hiking Sfendali, Vrokoli, Xouliza, Paliomilesi, Sfendali

The starting point is the southern part of the Sfendali rail station. This means that, if you arrive by train from Athens, you have to use the stairs and the bridge to reach the opposite side.

You then take the asphalt road, turning your back to the station, as you walk out of the few houses in the small village of Sfendali. The road ascends through the pine forest in a south-southwest (S-SW) direction.

After 500 meters, you find a small house/farm with a couple of barking dogs and a few cats hanging around. You leave the farm to your left as the road transitions into a gravel road.

At less than a kilometer from the trailhead, you will reach a small church where there is a drinking water tap.

At 2,1 km from the trailhead, you will encounter the Agios Merkourios church. At this point, you will leave the earth road and will turn right to enter the path.

The path is occasionally marked with yellow paint on the ground, which means that there will be no visible marking if there is snow.

At 5.3 km from the trailhead, you will reach a peaceful clearing known as Vrokoli, marked by a big old oak tree. This is a great spot for a rest and a snack.

The trail then leads you through a forested area with some steep sections, so sturdy hiking boots are a must.

At 1.2 km further up and 0.3 km after the higher point of this trek, you will reach a clearing named “Xouliza”, a place where the locals used to make charcoal. For this reason, the soil is rather dark there.

At this juncture, make a sharp right turn of about 300 degrees to descend to the lower edge of the clearing, marking your return route.

You’ll now follow a path that is indicated by purple squares on a white background.

After trekking for approximately 1.5 kilometers, you’ll arrive at a place known as ‘Paliomilesi,’ recognizable by a prominent plane tree with a sizable hollow cavity.

When hiking from Xouliza to Paliomilesi, you will descend through a small stream bed, which is steeper than the initial part of the trail.

This section features many natural steps formed by either rocks or pine tree roots. Keep in mind that during rainy or snowy conditions, the path can become slippery.

In such circumstances, I recommend reversing the path direction: start from Sfendali, head to Paliomilesi, then proceed to Xouliza, and finally make your way to Vrokoli before returning to Sfendali.

This route may offer better stability in adverse weather conditions.

You will leave the plane tree at Paliomilesi to your left, cross a small clearing, and enter the path again for another 1,2 km, where the path will end at an earth road. Take it to the right to return to Sfendali.

In total, you will walk 7 km on the path (from point 2,1 to point 9,1) and 6 km on an earth road, for a total length of 13 km.

We spent 5 hours with short pauses and with good weather conditions. You’d better allow 5.30 to 6 hours.

Here is the Wikiloc recording, named Sfendali – Vrokoli – Xouliza – Paliomilesi.

Sfendali Trail Tips

• Pack Adequately: Make sure to bring enough water, snacks, and sunscreen. Weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers.
• Sturdy Footwear: Hiking boots with good ankle support are essential, as the terrain can be rocky and uneven.
• Trail Maps: While the trail is well-marked, it’s always a good idea to carry a map or GPS device.
• Leave No Trace: Respect the environment and carry out all your trash. This helps preserve the pristine beauty of Parnitha for generations to come.

Where to Stay in Athens

You can stay near the train station, Larisa and the metro to the Acropolis (they are at the same spot in Athens). A perfect area in Athens for the train is the Larisa Station area.

I have singled out there a great budget apartment, Cozy Apartment Metaxourgeio Greendom, and a beautiful modern apartment, Hestia – Averof 7 (mid-range). They are both self-catering properties.

How to Get to Sfendali from Athens

You can get to Sfendali by train. The trip, from the Athens central rail station (Larisa), lasts 40’. The departure times from Athens (in October 2023) are 07.26’, 09.26’, etc. (i.e. every two hours) and the return times are 13.49’, 15.49’, 17.45’, 18.44’.

Tickets can be issued onboard. You may consult the Hellenic Train website for more information.

If you prefer a hassle-free experience without relying on public transportation, then I suggest you rent a car and drive to this beautiful, green area of Northern Athens.

What are the Most Popular Hikes in Athens?

Parnitha Mountain is the most popular hike in Athens but you will always find hikers in Hymettus Mountain as well, where the old Monastery of Kesariani is located.

My favorite hikes in Athens, besides Parnitha, are:

• Marathon,
• Lavrio, near Cape Sounion
• Nea Peramos and
• Chamolia in Vravrona.

Best Organized Tours in Athens

1. Hiking in Parnitha National Park from Athens
2. Private 3-Hour Hiking in Mount Hymettus
3. Full-Day Private Tour: Essential Athens Highlights plus Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon

What to Pack for Hiking in Greece

These are some of the essential items I recommend you have with you if you are going to hike in Greece:

• Hiking shoes/boots (worn-in)
• Moisture control socks
• Convertible hiking long pants: In Greece, I always hike in long pants, there are many low plants with thorns that scratch and cause me allergic reactions if I wear shorts.
• Mid-layer tops (eg. fleece)
• Waterproof jacket
• Walking Sticks (essential)
• Hiking backpack with good dry back protection
• Personal bottle of water (2-3 lt), salty snacks such as dry nuts, fruit, and a sandwich (always with you!)

What are the Most Popular Hikes in Greece?

Thanks to the country’s versatile and mountainous terrain, hiking in Greece offers a diverse and captivating experience. From the rugged mountains of the Pindus range and Vikos Gorge to the north to the Menalon Trail in the Peloponnese to the coastal trails overlooking the Aegean and Ionian Seas, Greece presents a hiker’s paradise.

The country boasts well-maintained paths that wind through ancient olive groves, dense forests, churches, monasteries, ancient ruins, rivers, and charming villages, providing hikers with a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.

Final Thoughts

Did you hike in Sfendali? Let me know what you think about Sfendali in the comments. I’d love to hear whether I managed to get it onto your bucket list!