Not so cold neither so hot, it is ideal time for a mountain trip! And as you may be carried away by the slopes, one after the other, the beautiful landscape summoning you, consider booking in advance a mountain refuge to stay overnight. Take a look at some mountains where you can hike, gather your family or friends, equip yourselves with sleeping bags and warm clothes and make sure that the refuge will be opened.
Mountain refuge at Flambouri, Parnitha
Let the children fearlessly play in the courtyard, full of fir trees, while enjoying delicious pasta with red-sauce beef, rakomelo (strong alcohol Cretan drink missed with honey) with ntakos (dry bread with chopped tomato and cheese) and mitzithropitakia (Cretan cheese pies). You can stay overnight in the upper floor of the refuge, in a comfortable and cozy place with wooden floor and roof, and have a relaxing, energetic sleep.
Pillows and blankets are provided, but it’s necessary to bring your own sleeping bags, as well as sheets and pillowcases.
The capacity of Flambouri is around 45 people, and combined with Flambouraki, it can reach up to 55 people.
Price: children 8€, adults 10€.
For reservations: (+30) 210 24646 66, (+30) 6972 256215.
More information: www.flabouri.gr.
Mountain refuge Bafi, Parnitha
Just an hour away from the center of Athens, in the beautiful and, for most people, unknown Mount Parnitha, you can breathe some oxygen, escape from the bustling city and the daily routine. By making a stop at the refuge of Bafi, you can enjoy some morning coffee, along with the wonderful view. The refuge Bafi, located in the heart of Mount Parnitha, includes a spacious room, where you can spend the night. It’s a comfortable and warm place, offering its visitors relaxing sleep and rest throughout the year.
The refuge provides you with pillows and blankets. For hygiene reasons, it’s necessary that the visitors bring with them two sheets, a pillowcase and a pair of slippers.
Price: 10€/person
Information or reservations: (+30) 210 2403556, 2469050, 3310323, 6977 648739
More at: www.mpafi.gr.
Mountain refuge “Michalis Defner”, Parnassos
A perfectly organized mountain refuge, just half kilometer away from Gerontobrachos ski resort, at 1820m height.
It can host up to 35 people, including central heating, shower, fully equipped kitchen, as well as the possibility to hire skiing equipment.
Information or reservations: (+30) 22370 25130, 6986055080.
Mountain refuge at Dirfi, Evia
The refuge M. Nikolaou, of Chalkida Mountaineering Federation (EOS), is located at the altitude of 1.120m. After its recent renovation, finished in 2001, the refuge contains three large rooms with a fireplace, two of which containing kitchen facilities, providing service to various groups.
It has 50 beds and it can host up to 45 people.
The whole equipment is new: beds, mattresses, blankets, catering equipment, tables, and benches, giving a sense of elegance and tidiness. The warmth is ensured thanks to the three fireplaces, as well as the central heating. In addition, the refuge includes a wireless payphone functioning without any interruption and a generator to avoid any electricity blackouts.
The refuge can be reached through the dirt road, accessible for 4x4 vehicles, as well as through some paths that you can see in detail here: www.eoschalkidas.gr.
The refuge is owned by the Chalkida Mountaineering Federation and administrated by its Governing Board, whose head is the Manager of the refuge.
Price: 10€ for Mountaineering Federation members, and 12€ for non-members.
The refuge functions after contacting the manager.
refuge: (+30) 22280 25655
Manager of the refuge: (+30) 6974057517 Minas Patsourakis
Guardian of the refuge: (+30) 6940687312 Matoula Valkoni
Chalkida Mountaineering Federation: (+30) 22210 25230 every Tuesday and Thursday 18:00-21:00 and (+30) 6974057517.
Velouchi refuge “Athanasios Lefkaditis”
In the heart of mountainous Greece and at the altitude of 1875m lies the mountain refuge of Velouchi, an excellent mountain educative refuge for mountain activities. From its balcony you can see the top of Mount Tymfristos (2315m), while in the horizon you can enjoy the mountain part of Greece, from the tops of Roumeli and Peloponissos till the mythic Mount Olympus.
The ski resort of Carpenisi is located around the small plateau next to the refuge, while the mountain top and the North downhill is in the ideal distance for a one-day hiking or skiing trip. In the refuge, the visitor will find all the necessary equipment for hiking or skiing.
Price: 12€ per person
Information about the refuge: (+30) 22370 225130, 6977668494.
Gamila refuge
Built next to a mountain gap in Mount Timfi, it offers panoramic view to the lacquers going to the mountain tops. A trip to Gamila can also be combined with the beautiful Zagorochoria, as well as Drakolimni. From May to October it’s always opened, hosting up to 50 people.
Price: 12€, with a restaurant with an additional charge.
Information: (+30) 26530 41138, 41257, 6973223100.
Pramantes mountaineering refuge
It’s situated in a 1300m height in the location Isioma, in the foothills of Stroggoula mountain, at Tzoumerka. It started functioning in the 28th of October 2006, with its new managers, Babis and Paula, who took charge of the administration of the refuge in order to escape from bustling Athens. The refuge includes two 8-bed rooms and a 10-bed one (26 beds in total), an organized kitchen, an eating room, a sitting room and a fireplace.
It functions throughout all the year, every day, every hour, except for any unpredictable circumstances.
The whole yard of Isioma is at your disposal for playing, camping, football, explorations, as well as mountain theatre! The warmest months they serve coffee and desserts in the tables under the sun umbrellas outside and after contacting, they can also cook for you.
You can enjoy the view to all directions, as Mitsikeli, Vikos, Gamila, Peristeri, Baros, Karkaditsa, the settlement, and especially the impressive Stroggoula!
To spend the night there, you need to bring with you a sheets set or a sleeping bag. Blankets and pillows are provided.
Price: 13€ per person
Contact: (+30) 2659300645, 6944324156 (Babis), 6972328392 (Paula)
More at www.katafigiopramanton.gr
Vardousia refuge
One of the largest refuges in Greece, and the hikers’ favorite one, the Vardousio refuge is situated in the location of Pitimalko, at the altitude of 1.960m and can host up to 60 people. It is opened during the weekend, but as for the weekdays, only after contacting. You can start with the assistance of an experienced guide for hiking or climbing in an alpine landscape, in every itinerary you choose, depending on your experience. The refuge is at a 15km distance by dirt road away from Athanasios Diakos, Fokida, making it barely accessible during bad weather conditions.
Price: 12€ per person, without food
For information: (+30) 22650 62195, 62484, 6974824456.
Christos Kakkalos refuge, in Olympus
The refuge “G” or “Christos Kakkalos” is situated in Mousses plateau. It was built in 1961, and in 1964 it was named as King Pavlos. In 1984 in was renamed as “Christos Kakkalos” after in honor of the first conqueror of Mytikas top. Its capacity is for 20 people, and if you wish to visit it, you have to be less than 10. Make sure that you make a reservation early enough, because, as we were informed, the invasions of French alpinists are very usual! You can do winter hiking, climbing and skiing, as Olympus slopes are ideal for a lot of demanding skiing, but also snowboard.
Price: 12€ per person and 10€ if you belong to any mountaineering federation.
Information: (+30) 6937361689
Mountain refuge Oxia
It is located on Grameni Oxia, a small mountain surrounded by the bigger ones Vardusia, Giona and Veluchi. The mountain is quite interesting, with its dense forest cover, smooth slopes and distinct beauty. It is considered the most southern beech forest in Europe. The refuge can offer accommodation with beds and heating to up to 35 visitors and is suitable for a variety of outdoorsy activities, from climbing and hiking to backcountry skiing for experienced. It operates mainly every spring, summer and autumn providing all the comforts of a refuge, apart from the fact that shower water comes from a tank. During your visit, you can enjoy homemade delicacies and traditional sweets in the fully renovated room with the astonishing view and the fireplace. One night stay costs 12 euros.
More info: (+30) 22370 25130, 22114
Mountain refuge Lailia
It is situated on the magic location Olympia in the forest of Lailia (mountain group of Vrontus) at an altitude of 500 meters. It is only 3 km away from the ski center and 24 km from the city of Serres. It has three nice lounges, a big dining area and ten beautiful rooms, each of them with different decoration and capacity. All of them have a private bathroom and central heating. The refuge can provide accommodation to up to 50 people.
The big stone fireplace on the central homey sitting room gives a note of warmth and relaxation during the cold and snowy winter days. On the summer months are formed two big balconies-terraces with a view to the green mountain to service as recreational area for residents and visitors. In the refuge you will find many activities: cross country skiing, mountaineering skiing in a 10 km piste, mountain biking, ice climbing in a special designed area, climbing, star observation, orienteering, hiking-climbing on marked trails. The refuge has also an ample parking area and is easily accessible from the easy access from an asphalted road. It is open every Friday-Saturday-Sunday, on celebration days and holidays.
Phone bookings: (+30) 23210 62400, 6936636382
More info: www.katafigiolailias.gr
Source: www.infokids.gr, www.in2life.gr
