Greece has over 100 mountain refuges and emergency shelters scattered throughout its mountain ranges. Some are open all year round while others are open from spring to autumn. Yet, all of them boast both short and long nature trails in an incredible scenery.

They are often visited by avid hikers and mountaineers, who usually join together to map out the next day’s routes. However, even if you don’t fall into either of the above two categories, staying in a mountain refuge is a unique experience per se.

Still, you need to bear in mind a few things, such as that you may need to bring your own sheets, or that the lights go out early – usually, around ten o’clock at night- and that in order to go hiking you need to be properly equipped, depending on the route and the weather conditions.

Agrafa refuge
On the virgin mountain of Agrafa, often called the “Switzerland of Greece”, at an altitude of 1,536 m. on the Karamanolis plateau, lies a relatively small but very atmospheric refuge.

To get there you’ll need to drive about 4 hours, but it is really worth it. You can take a break in the city of Karditsa to enjoy a cup of coffee while stretching your legs and then get back on the road – it’s a short drive from there, mostly through dense forest.

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