To Asprokavos, optional circular walk Spartera (CT-01A)
You’ll be met at Corfu airport and transferred to your accommodation in Asprokavos, in the south of the island. If you arrive on an early flight you may make the circular walk to Spartera.
This route starts at a peaceful spot just south of the holiday resort of Kavo. You head out on a track to the southern tip of Corfu, where the ruined monastery of Arkoudillas stands. You may descend along a footpath to the island's southernmost beach Arkoudillas, a seemingly endless stretch of golden sand. You proceed to the pittoresque village of Spartera. From Spartera you return on a calm road to your accommodation in Asprokavos.
walking time/distance: 4h / 12km
ascent/descent: 300m
start/finish: Asprokavos
From Asprokavos via Lefkimmi to Santa Barbara (CT-02)
From Asprokavos the trip starts with tracks leading by a small lake and through olive groves and agricultural land to the town of Lefkimmi. By means of the old main road you arrive at the river, where cafeterias invite you to have a small break.
From the river you cross several other neighborhoods before leaving the second town of the island and heading towards the West coast again. From Gardenos you will head up along a coastal ridge with spectacular views of the West coast and the villages inland. Even the South and East coast are visible! Eventually you will reach the wonderful sandy beach of Santa Barbara.
walking time/distance: 7h / 23km
ascent/descent: 350m
start/finish: Asprokavos / Santa Barbara
From Santa Barbara along the Korission lake to Paramonas (CT-03)
A day of almost level walking during which you follow the beach, passing the holiday resort of Agios Georgios, but soon leaving 'civilization' again. The wide, empty beach north of the resort was used for scenes in the Bond film 'For Your Eyes Only'.
Your way leads on through sand dunes covered with a forest of juniper trees. Crossing a footbridge, you will reach Lake Korission, where you, with a bit of luck, might see a variety of wild birds. The Trail follows high coastal tracks, a section of road and eventually leads through centuries old olive groves to reach Paramonas.
walking time/distance: 6h / 20 km
ascent/descent: 150m / 120m
start/finish: Santa Barbara - Paramonas
From Paramonas to Stavros and Benitses (CT-04)
A sharp climb early in the walk takes you over the coastal ridge, with great views, and inland to the villages of Ano and Kato Pavliana. Footpaths and tracks take you down through villages until you cross the Messongi River Valley.
You continue through a heathland valley to the village of Strongili, where the Trail heads uphill again, on an old cobbled way which leads to Komianata and Stavros. After a section of road you follow the old Agi Deka water springs down to the village of Benitses.
walking time/distance: 6h / 18km
ascent/descent: 650m
start/finish: Paramonas / Benitses
From Benitses via Agii Deka summit to Pelekas (CT-13)
By a somewhat different route past springs you ascend back to Stavros. Here you pick up the Trail again and walk by a delightful footpath skirting Agii Deka Mountain. From the village Ano Garouna you make a very sharp ascent to the summit of Agii Deka, Corfu's second highest free-standing peak. Here, an abandoned monastery in a walled garden makes an ideal rest stop.
Your way continues down a cobbled mule path to Agii Deka village then along minor roads and tracks to Sinarades, where you might like to visit the Folk Museum (depending on opening times) and admire the picturesque architecture of this large village.
Alleyways and a track lead to Aerostato, one of the island's most famous viewpoints, then the Trail leads along undulating tracks with very fine views over the west coast and inland to Pelekas.
walking time/distance: 7h15’ / 21km
ascent/descent: 930m / 650m
start/finish: Benitses / Pelekas
From Pelekas to Liapades (CT-06)
Half an hour's downhill walk takes you to Myrtiotissa, named ‘the loveliest beach in the world’ (now used by nudists) and the monastery. Climbing now, you have to regain the height you have lost (and more!), with a steep ascent on a gravel and concrete track. The west coast views are spectacular.
Passing the village of Vatos, the terrain levels out and your way crosses the Ropa valley.You will ascend again to the village of Giannades and on into olive-blanketed hills, where tracks lead to Liapades, an ancient village full of lovely old mansion houses.
walking time/distance: 7h / 23km
ascent/descent: 600m / 800m
start/finish: Pelekas / Liapades
The Roman Way from Liapades to Agios Georgios (CT-07)
The walk starts with a sharply ascending footpath which immediately brings you high above sea level towards Paleokastritsa. You quickly cross the main road and head into the hills again, using a network of lovely cobbled footpaths. A climb of about an hour takes you to the centuries old village of Lakones and Bella Vista Viewpoint ('the best view in Europe').
One kilometre of unavoidable and sometimes busy road here, to cross the village, but the spectacular views make up for it! The Trail then heads across olive groves to Krini (from here you can opt to visit the Byzantine castle Angelokastro), through 'Lily Valley' and on down one of Greece's most remarkable footpaths, the Roman Way, which zigzags down a sheer cliff. The way continues down an olive grove track and along the seashore to the resort of Agios Georgios.
walking time/distance: 5h / 14km (Angelokastro: +1km one way)
ascent/descent: 350m (Angelokastro: +150m)
start/finish: Liapades / Agios Georgios Pagon
From Agios Georgios along the Pantokrator slopes to Sokraki (CT-14)
A sharp climb from Agios Georgios to the village of Prinilas starts the walk. Then you descend to the picturesque village of Pagi. Tracks and a quiet road take you through agricultural land alongside the Megapotamos River and over the ridge through Aspiotades to the two sprawling villages of Agros and Agios Athanasios, where your way leads through the alleyways. Leaving the villages, a quiet road leads past a wealthy monastery, and tracks take you on to the road junction at Rekini.
From Rekini you take the unmade road to Valanio, a village deep in the middle of nowhere. Then tracks funnel you up a deep valley. Along a cobbled path, you enter Sokraki, where the village square with its happy atmosphere invites you to enjoy the local ginger beer.
walking time/distance: 7h / 21km
ascent/descent: 1000m / 500m
start/finish: Agios Georgios / Sokraki
From Sokraki past the Pantokrator summit to Oud Peritheia (CT-15)
From Sokraki the Trail continues by wider and narrow footpaths through wood and past agricultural grounds to the fertile plane under Spartilas.
From Spartilas you are soon on a steep mountain footpath climbing a gully to a fantastic viewpoint at Taxiarchis Chapel - a ruin with fresco-covered walls. You ascend further to cross the 'Karst Plateau', Corfu's wildest scenery, under the summit of Pantokrator. When you reach the road you may decide to do a detour to the top of the mountain.
The trail continues on a mountain track with fine views. You reach the high col of the main ridge, where both the northern and southern sections of Corfu are visible. You then descend to Old Perithia - a semi-ruined Byzantine village located in a high valley, that was completely deserted until a couple of years ago. Now you’ll find quite some tavernas to enjoy a well-deserved meal.
walking time/distance: 6h / 16km (to the summit: +1 hour and 3km)
ascent/descent: 600m / 550m (to the summit: +150m ascent and descent)
start/finish: Sokraki / Old Peritheia
From Old Peritheia to Agios Spyridon (CT-16)
A relatively relaxed day to end the tour. From Peritheia the Trail descends through a narrow valley on a rough mule track, then continues down on paths and tracks to the northern coastal plain. You reach the sea at Almiros and follow the beach to the wild, bare headland which is Corfu's northernmost point, where a path through forest takes you to the end of the Trail at Agios Spyridon Beach.
You’ll either stay the night in Agios Spyridon or you’ll be transferred to Corfu Town for the overnight stay.
walking time/distance: 4h / 12km
ascent/descent: 100m / 550m
start/finish: Old Peritheia / Agios Spyridon
Departure from Corfu (CT-V)
You’ll be picked up and brought to the airport, Corfu Town or the ferry harbour
NL: +31 6 282 505 64