Bafi Refuge

Lore & Background

The Bafi Refuge's foundation stone was laid in April 1937. The first part was completed in Autumn of 1939, funded mainly by members of the Mountaineering Club and other affiliated associations. Paths from the shelter lead in all directions, offering both short, easy walks and long, difficult routes for fitter hikers.

Access to the refuge is possible via the road to the casino “Mont Parnes” or from a marked path starting at the cable car parking lot, through the ravine of Choynis. Additionally, Bathis Square buses of line 714 of OASA serve the Casino of Parnitha.

Today, the refuge is open all year, with organized cooking and homemade food, refreshments, and drinks. Overnight stays are available in three dormitories (10, 20, and 30 places), three rooms with four beds, and one loft room with two beds. Central heating is provided during winter.

Reader's Guide

The Bafi Refuge is significant as a longstanding facility of the Greek Mountaineering Club, E.O.S. Athens, supporting outdoor recreation in Mount Parnitha National Park. Its construction in the late 1930s, funded by club members and affiliates, reflects early organized mountaineering infrastructure in Greece. The refuge's location at 1160 meters provides a strategic starting point for various trails, from easy half-hour walks to demanding routes for experienced hikers. Its year-round operation, with dormitories, private rooms, and central heating, makes it accessible for all seasons. The refuge also serves as a cultural and social hub, offering homemade food and drinks. Its legacy lies in its continuous service to hikers and mountaineers, maintaining a connection to the natural environment of Parnitha while adapting to modern needs.

Did You Know?

• The refuge's foundation stone was laid in April 1937.
• The first part was completed in Autumn of 1939.
• It has three dormitories with 10, 20, and 30 places.
• Access is possible via a marked path from the cable car parking lot through the ravine of Choynis.

Origins and Construction

The Bafi Refuge, occasionally rendered as Mpafi, traces its lineage to the Greek Mountaineering Club, E.O.S. Athens, an organisation established in 1928. The ambition to erect a shelter on Mount Parnitha crystallised in April 1937, when the foundation stone was formally laid. The initial phase of the structure was brought to completion by the autumn of 1939. Financing for this pioneering basecamp came predominantly from the club's own membership, supplemented by contributions from other affiliated associations. This collective, grassroots effort reflected the spirit of early Greek mountaineering, in which dedicated hikers pooled their modest resources to create a foothold on the mountain. The refuge thus stood as a tangible emblem of the club's commitment to making Parnitha's trails accessible to its community, a project realised in the late 1930s through sheer member dedication rather than institutional funding.

Setting and Trail Network

Perched at an elevation of 1,160 metres within Mount Parnitha National Park, the Bafi Refuge occupies a strategic position roughly 2.5 kilometres from the Mont Parnes area. Its placement inside the protected national park means the surrounding landscape remains preserved, and the shelter serves as a natural gateway to a rich web of marked paths. These trails radiate outward from the refuge in every direction, catering to a broad spectrum of hikers. Some routes offer gentle, short strolls lasting just thirty minutes to an hour, well suited to families or casual walkers. Others demand considerably more stamina and technical ability, presenting long, challenging ascents tailored to experienced mountaineers. This variety ensures the refuge functions as a versatile starting point, accommodating both those seeking a leisurely afternoon among the hills and those pursuing demanding alpine routes across the Parnitha massif.

Routes and Practical Access

Reaching the Bafi Refuge is possible via several distinct approaches, each suited to different preferences and modes of transport. One straightforward option follows the road that climbs Parnitha toward the Mont Parnes casino, from which the shelter is a short distance away. For those preferring a more scenic and physically engaging journey, a clearly marked footpath departs from the cable car car park and winds through the ravine of Choynis before arriving at the shelter. Public transportation also plays a meaningful role in the refuge's accessibility: buses operating on OASA line 714 depart from Bathis Square in Athens and travel up to the Parnitha casino, placing visitors within walking distance of the refuge. This multiplicity of access routes—by road, on foot through a named ravine, or by scheduled bus—makes the Bafi Refuge remarkably approachable for both local Athenians and visiting hikers who may not have private transport.

Accommodation and Year-Round Hospitality

Today the Bafi Refuge operates throughout the entire year, offering a full range of hospitality services to its guests. The kitchen provides organised meals, including homemade food, alongside refreshments and beverages for those who prefer lighter fare. For overnight stays, the shelter offers a generous spread of sleeping arrangements: three dormitories accommodating ten, twenty, and thirty people respectively, three private rooms each fitted with four beds, and a single loft room with two beds. This tiered layout caters to everything from large group expeditions to small parties seeking a degree of privacy. During the colder months, central heating is available throughout the facility, ensuring the refuge remains a comfortable and welcoming base even in the depths of a Parnitha winter. The combination of affordable dormitory-style lodging, private rooms, and in-house cooking makes the Bafi Refuge a practical and inviting destination for mountaineers of all backgrounds and budgets.