Karambola

Drive or walk up the paved road to the Bafi refuge of EOS Athens (1,161 m). About 200 m before the refuge turn left onto the road towards Skipiza and the radar station; after roughly 750 m, at the first big bend, a sign marks the start of the path (yellow square waymarks). It winds between rocks and through forest burnt in 2007, climbs gently and then drops to Skipiza spring (about 1,196 m), the highest spring on the mountain, restored by the National Park. At a fork about 20 minutes from the road keep right towards the fire lookout; ten minutes later signs point left to the lookout (a short, fairly steep detour; built by the volunteer group E.DA.SA. in 1989–90, with views over the Saronic and South Euboean Gulfs to Dirfys) and right to Mola. The path then traverses the big northern slope below Karavola through old Greek fir forest and clearings (O22 waymarks with a purple square), past the old place names Maderes, Templos and Milkiniza. The fenced summit, with its radar and communication masts, stays above you on the right. At the junction for Lykoporia and Mola follow the Mola stream down (red square) to Mola spring opposite the chapel of Agios Petros, then climb gently back (red marks) past the small Vrysi tis Charas spring, below the Samari ridge, cross the ring road and Lakka Bafi to the refuge. Topoguide gives about 3 hours; Fysiolatres 2½–3 hours. The loop can be extended round Ornio (1,350 m), the second-highest top.