Two Week Walking Tour In Corfu

Arrive Corfu Town (Kerkyra) and check-in to hotel. Corfu town is one of Greece's most elegant island capitals. The 'Old Quarter' lies above the port, its narrow streets containing beautiful houses and buildings. On either side of this are two forts: Paleo Frourio (Byzantine) and Neo Frourio (Venetian).

Overnight Standard Hotel

After a restful morning we drive south out of Corfu Town, starting our hike from just south of Kavos, we head out on a track to the southern tip of Corfu, where the ruined monastery of Arkoudillas stands. A footpath leads down to the island’s southernmost beach, a seemingly endless stretch of golden sand. Leaving the beach at its northern end, we follow uphill tracks through agricultural land to Spartera and our accommodation. About 3 to 3.5 hours walking with 150m of ascent today.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today our way leads from Spartera along shady olive grove tracks and through open country to Lefkimmi, where riverside tavernas may tempt us for a rest. We then descend through the area of Agia Ekaterini, so named for its little church. From here we head towards the Gardeno Valley where we walk through dense olive groves, before reaching the valley floor. It’s then a short climb up to the ridge where we will enjoy panoramic views of the coastline as well as Lake Korissia. We end our days walk by following the coastal path down to the beach at Santa Barbara, where are accommodation for tonight is located. About 5 to 5.5 hours walking with 150m of ascent today.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

A day of almost level walking during which we follow the beach. Our way leads on through sand dunes covered with a forest of juniper trees. Then, crossing a footbridge, we reach Lake Korission. The Trail then follows tracks and a section of road to reach Paramonas and our next overnight stop. About 5 to 6 hours walking with 200m of ascent today.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

A sharp climb early in the walk takes us over the coastal ridge, with great views, and inland to the villages of Ano and Kato Pavliana. Footpaths and tracks take us down through Vouniatades, then we cross the Messongi River Valley by way of tracks through olive groves and across heathland. Through Strongili, the Trail heads uphill again, on an old cobbled way which leads to Komianata. From here, we walk to Benitses. About 5.5 hours walking today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

From Benitses we take a bus back to Stavros, and our walk continues with a delightful footpath skirting Agii Deka Mountain, before we make a very sharp ascent to the summit of Agii Deka, Corfu’s second highest peak. Here, an abandoned monastery in a walled garden makes an ideal rest stop. Our 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. Then the Trail leads along undulating tracks with very fine views over the west coast and inland to Pelekas. Later this afternoon you may like to take a walk up to another fine viewpoint at ‘Kaiser’s Throne’ a favourite viewpoint of Kaiser Wilhelm II to watch sunset. About 6.5 hours walking with 700m of ascent today.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Half an hour’s downhill walk takes us to Myrtiotissa, ‘the so-called’ loveliest beach in the world’ (now used by nudists!) and one of the Durrell family’s favourites. Climbing now, we have to regain the height we have lost (and more!), with a steep ascent on a gravel and concrete track. The west coast views are simply spectacular. Passing the village of Vatos, the terrain levels out and our way follows the bank of the river, the Trail ascends into olive-blanketed hills, where tracks lead to Liapades, an ancient village full of lovely old mansion houses. We stay in nearby Liapades beach, a low-key resort. About 6.5 hours walking with 700m of ascent today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We take the opportunity today to unpack and unwind. If lazing around isn’t your thing you could always join an optional boat trip up the west coast of Corfu from Paleokastritsa to Ermones beach. (boat sailing depends on weather/sea conditions). You can also wander around the famous Paleokastritsa Monastery situated on an spectacular promontory, a 2 hour walk or short water-taxi ride away (own cost).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

First thing this morning we negotiate a steep and fairly difficult ascent up to Lakones and Bella Vista (‘the best view in Europe’). After a kilometre of unavoidable road we take a break for lunch. In the afternoon our walk continues across olive groves to Krini, through ‘Lily Valley’ and on down one of Greece’s most remarkable footpaths, which zigzags down a sheer cliff. Our accommodation tonight is in the pleasant beach resort of Agios Georgios, where it may be possible to hire wind surfers. The wide empty beach north of the resort was used for scenes in the James Bond film ‘For your eyes only’. About 4 hours walking the Trail with 450m of ascent today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A sharp climb from Agios Georgios to the village of Prinilas starts today’s walk. We descend from here to the picturesque village of Pagi. Tracks and a quiet road take us through agricultural land alongside the Megapotamos River and over the ridge through Aspiotades, to the two sprawling villages of Agros and Agios Athanasios, where our way leads through the alleyways. Leaving the villages, a quiet road leads past the wealthy convent of Agios Athanasios and tracks take us on to the road junction at Rekini. From here we plan to take a bus for the short journey to the nearest accommodation on the north coast at Roda. About 4.5 hours walking with 600m of ascent today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

A local bus takes us back to the Corfu Trail. Starting our walk from Rekini, we take the unmade road to Valanio, a village deep in the middle of nowhere. Then tracks funnel us up a deep valley. Along a cobbled path, we enter Sokraki, where the village square with its happy atmosphere calls for a stop. Then to Spartillas, where a chartered bus is waiting to take us down to our accommodation at the picturesque coastal village of Kalami. Here, in the ‘White House’, Lawrence Durrell wrote Prospero’s Cell. The little bay in Kalami is lined with white pebbles and has a panoramic backdrop of mountainous Albania. About 4.5 hours walking with 550m of ascent today.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today the real mountain terrain beckons. We transfer by bus back to Spartillas and start our walk: immediately we are on a steep mountain footpath climbing a gully to a fantastic viewpoint at Taxiarchis Chapel – a ruin with fresco-covered walls. We ascend further to cross the ‘Karst Plateau’, Corfu’s wildest scenery, under the summit of Pantokrator. Then we make our way to the very top, at 917m, and visit the monastery, with its views across to the mountains of Albania. Descending now with fine views and some rough sections we reach the deserted village of Polie Perithia where we stop at a tavena before we descend the final stretch of the Corfu trail ending at the most northerly point of the island. About 9 hours walking with 900m of ascent today.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today you may choose to relax in your free time or alternatively you could walk the 5 hour round trip from Kalami to Mengoulas.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We return to Corfu Town’s old port by bus this morning. This afternoon your tour leader will accompany us on a walking orientation tour of the main points of interest in the marvellous Venetian town centre. There may well be time to take a bus to the picture postcard location of Kanoni to perhaps explore the archaeological sites and walk across the causeway to visit Vlacherna Church. Intriguing ‘Mouse Island’ can also be visited by boat, departing from the peninsula’s small jetty. Alternatively, spend the rest of your time exploring more of Corfu Town: there is certainly plenty to keep you occupied. The town has some sophisticated restaurants to round off your tour in style!

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our tour ends this morning in Corfu Town (Kerkyra).

Included meals: Breakfast