PARC NATIONAL DU PARNÈS
A 250 protected area dominated by the Karavola peak, the highest point in Attica (1,413 m). Trails, refuges, animals, casino..
This 250 km2 protected area (Εθνικός Δρυμός Πάρνηθας/Ethnikos Drymos Parnithas) covers the whole of Mount Parnes with five peaks over 1,000 m in altitude: karavola (1,413 m), Attica's highest point occupied by a transmission tower and military zone, Ornio (1,350 m), Area (1,160 m), Avgo (1,150 m) and Xerovouni (1,120 m). Created in 1961 and classified as a Natura 2000 site, the park was largely covered by trees (Cephalonia fir, Aleppo pine, holm oak, kermes oak, etc.) up to 800 m altitude. But more than 60 km2 of forest were destroyed by fire between 2007 and 2024. Nevertheless, the park remains an important nature reserve, with 800 plant species, 120 bird species and 30 mammals, including 600 elaphe deer, large cervids that can sometimes be stroked near the casino. Among the many hiking trails, the most popular is the one that follows the Chouni ravine. This can be followed from Thrakomakedones (4.4 km) or from the casino cable car arrival station (3 km) to reach the Bafi hut (Καταφυγιο Μπαφι/Katafugio Mpafi) at 1160 m, below the Karavola. The latter, established in 1928 and open all year round, has a café-restaurant and dormitories. From here, you can follow an 8.6 km loop via the Skipiza spring and the Mola clearing, or reach the park's other refuge, Flambouri (1,158 m), via a 3.3 km trail. Other hikes are possible in the Tatoï area, to the east of the park.
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