Corfu Trail Walking - North and South

Our Greek walking adventure begins in Corfu Town (Kerkyra), one of Greece's most elegant island capitals thanks to its cobblestone streets, Venetian architecture, and pastel-hued buildings. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and the chance to go out for dinner. There are no activities planned for today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Corfu International Airport (CFU), around a ten-minute drive from the hotel. If you miss the meeting, our tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to get to know Corfu Town's Old Quarter, which lies just above the old port. On either side are two Venetian forts, Paleo Frourio and Neo Frourio.

This morning, we'll leave Corfu Town behind, driving south. Our hike starts just south of Kavos and we'll head out on a track that leads to the southern tip of the island where the ruined monastery of Arkoudillas stands. After marvelling at the ruins, we'll follow the footpath down to Corfu's southernmost beach, a seemingly endless stretch of golden sand and see-to-the-bottom-blue waters. Our walk continues from the northern end of the beach where we'll head onto uphill tracks through agricultural land to Spartera and on to our accommodation in Asprokavos. Tonight, we'll stay in a simple resort-style hotel with three accommodation blocks and a main building that has a bar, restaurant, and swimming pool. All rooms have en-suite facilities. Note, the property is graded as simple due to its basic furnishings and décor. Today's 12 kilometre/7.4 mile walk is graded as moderate and is expected to take around 3.5 hours with 436 metres/1,430 feet of ascent and descent.

We'll be putting our walking shoes to the test today with a longer 23 kilometre/14.2 mile walk to Santa Barbara, crossing the southern part of the island to the east and heading back to the western coast. From Asprokavos, we'll follow a track around a peaceful lake where we might be lucky enough to spot birds and turtles amongst the greenery. Afterwards, we'll descend through olive groves and fields to Lefkimmi where we follow the road through traditional neighbourhoods and the historic city centre. After our visit to the second biggest town on the island, we'll descend into the lush green valley of the Gardeno River. The final stretch of today's walk takes us on an ascent that rewards us with views of both the east and west coasts of Corfu - a strikingly peaceful panorama. Once we've soaked in the vistas from up high, we'll head back down and on to Santa Barbara. Our accommodation tonight is simple, located close to the beach if you want to relax to the sounds of the tide lapping at the golden sands. We'll be staying in studios attached to a traditional family taverna and around, where we can get a taste for authentic Greek home cooking. Today's 23 kilometre/14.2 mile walk is graded as challenging and is expected to take around 7 hours with 530 metres/1,739 feet of ascent and descent. It's worth noting that we'll be covering varied terrain today, with a chunk of the walk taking us along asphalt and concrete roads.

Today's trail is mostly level, taking us along a path that follows the curvature of the beach. We'll be led through sand dunes covered with cedar trees before crossing a footbridge to reach Lake Korission. Our trail then follows tracks and sections of roads to reach Paramonas, a small fisherman's hamlet on the west coast, and our accommodation for tonight. We'll stay in simple apartments surrounded by fruit trees and with sea views from the ground-floor terrace. It's just a short walk from the beach if you fancy a dip, and breakfast is served with a view of the waves at the beachfront restaurant. All rooms are en-suite with minimal furnishings. Today's 20 kilometre/12.4 mile walk is graded as challenging and is expected to take around 6 hours with 300 metres/984 feet of ascent and 250 metres/820 feet of descent. Note, today's walk is very sandy in parts.

After breakfast, we'll push on to Benitses. A sharp climb early in our walk will take us over the coastal ridge with views out onto the water and inland to the villages of Ano and Kato Payliana. Footpaths and tracks then take us down through Vouniatades before 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 that leads to Komianata, from here, we'll continue on foot down to the picturesque fishing village of Benitses. Today's 20 kilometre/12.4 mile walk is graded as challenging and is expected to take around 6 hours with 780 metres/2,559 feet of ascent and 800 metres/2,624 feet of descent.

From Benitses we'll take a bus back to Stavros, and our walk continues with a delightful footpath skirting the Agii Deka Mountain, before we make a very sharp ascent to the summit of Agii Deka, Corfu's second highest alone-standing 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 quaint architecture. Then the Trail leads along undulating tracks with very fine views over the west coast and inland to Pelekas. From here, we take the bus back to our accommodation in Benitses. Today's 19 kilometre/11.8 mile walk is graded as moderate and is expected to take around 6.5 hours with 750 metres/2,460 feet of ascent and 800 metres/2,624 feet of descent.

Today, we'll walk to our final destination, Liapades. We'll take the bus to Pelekas, where we'll start our walk with a half-hour descent to Myrtiotissa - known as 'the loveliest beach in the world' the beach was one of the Durrell family's favourites and is now favoured by nudists. After the beach, we'll need to regain the height we've lost (and more) and our route will take us on a harsh ascent up a gravel and concrete track. We'll be rewarded for our efforts with spectacular views of the coast and beyond. Passing the village of Vatos, the terrain levels out and our trail tracks through the Ropa river valley - bordered by pastures and willow trees. After ascending to the village of Giannades, our trail ascends into olive-blanketed hills and on to Liapades, an ancient village full of lovely old mansion houses. We'll stay close to Liapades, situated just 15 minutes walk from the traditional village and surrounded by green hillsides. In the afternoon, you could take a leisurely stroll to the beach. The picturesque pebble beaches of Rovinia and Liapades are about a 25-minute walk through the village. Today's 24 kilometre/14.9 mile walk is graded as challenging and is expected to take around 7 hours with 680 metres/2,231 feet of ascent and 850 metres/2,788 feet of descent. Note, we'll be walking on varied terrain with some stretches of asphalt and concrete.

Today is free for you to explore more at your own pace. Situated below the traditional village of Liapades and surrounded by green hillsides, Liapades Beach has a sand and shingle beach as well as a handful of cafes and restaurants. The beautiful beach of Rovinia is just a short walk away. You might also like to join an optional boat trip up the west coast of Corfu from Paleokastritsa to Ermones beach (note, the boat sailing is dependent on weather conditions). You could also wander around the famous Paleokastritsa Monastery, situated on a spectacular promontory, a two-hour walk or short water taxi ride away (note, this journey would be at your own cost). Please note that this trip is effectively two tours combined - Walking the Corfu Trail (South) and Walking the Corfu Trail (North). You'll have the same tour leader throughout, though some travellers may depart this morning and new members may join this evening.

First thing this morning, we'll negotiate a steep, fairly difficult ascent up to the old village of Lakones- with one of the best views in Europe. After close to a kilometre of unavoidable road, we'll head up on an old cobbled footpath towards the villages of Vistonas, Makrades and Krini. In the afternoon, we'll continue down one of Greece's most remarkable footpaths, The Donkey Path. This pathway zigzags down a wide track to the sweeping bay of Agios Georgios. Our accommodation tonight is in the pleasant beach resort of Agios Georgios with a long sandy beach and views of the green hills bordering the bay. Today's 14.5 kilometre/9 mile walk is graded as moderate and is expected to take around 4 hours with 490 metres/1,607 feet of ascent and 490 metres/1,607 feet of descent.

Today starts with another sharp climb from Agios Georgios to the village of Prinilas. We'll descend to the picturesque village of Pagi, from where tracks and a quiet road lead us through agricultural land alongside the Megapotamos River through Aspiotades to the sprawling villages of Agros and Agios Athanasios. From the villages, we'll follow a quiet road past the wealthy convent of Agios Athanasios and tracks that take us to the road junction at Rekini. At Rekini, we'll take a short bus journey to the nearest accommodation on the north coast at Roda. Today's 12 kilometre/7.4 mile walk is graded as moderate and is expected to take around 4.5 hours with 600 metres/1,968 feet of ascent and 500 metres/1,640 feet of descent.

Today, we'll take a local bus back to the Corfu Trail. Starting our walk from Rekini, we'll take the unmade road to Valanio, a village deep in the middle of nowhere, from where tracks funnel us up a deep valley. We'll follow a cobbled path to enter Sokraki, where the village square with its happy atmosphere calls for a stop. Then we'll carry on 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. For the next three nights, the group will be spread over a variety of simple apartments and studios around the bay. Breakfast is at Thomas's Place, a family-run taverna on the beach of Kalami. Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious local dinner together, where we'll get a true taste of Corfu cuisine. Today's 13.5 kilometre/803 mile walk is graded as challenging and is expected to take around 4.5 hours with 710 metres/2,329 feet of ascent and 375 metres/1,230 feet of descent; we are transferred to Kalami from the top of the village

Today the real mountain terrain beckons. We'll transfer by bus back to Spartillas to begin our walk, which starts immediately with a steep mountain footpath, climbing a gully to a fantastic viewpoint at Taxiarchis Chapel - a ruin with fresco-covered walls. We'll ascend further to cross the Karst Plateau, Corfu's wildest scenery, under the summit of Pantokrator. Then, we'll make our way to the very top (917 metres/3008 feet) and visit the monastery, with its views across to the mountains of Albania. Descending, we'll have fine views as well as some rough sections of terrain as we reach the deserted village of Palia Perithia where we'll stop at a taverna for a refresher. Eventually, we'll make the final stretch of the Corfu trail ending at the most northerly point of the island. Today's 22.5 kilometre/13.9 mile walk is graded as challenging and is expected to take around 8.5 hours with 640 metres/2,099 feet of ascent and 1050 metres/3,445 feet of descent. The optional climb of an additional 3 kilometres/1.8 miles to the summit will take approximately 1 hour with an additional ascent and descent of 250 metres/820 feet.

Today is free to rest your legs and relax in the local area. If you'd rather keep going, there's an optional walk - a 15.5 kilometre/9.6 mile round trip from Kalami to Mengoulas or a 12 kilometre/7.4 mile walk through the unspoiled Erimitis Peninsula to the lovely seaside village of Kassiopi.

We'll return to Corfu Town's old port by bus this morning. This afternoon, our tour leader will accompany us on a walking orientation tour of the main points of interest in the marvellous Venetian town centre. There might be time to take a bus to the postcard-perfect location of Kanoni to explore the archaeological sites and walk across the causeway to visit Vlacherna Church, too. Alternatively, you might like to visit the intriguing Mouse Island by boat departing from the peninsula's small jetty.

Our tour ends at our hotel in Corfu Town. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is leaving later in the day, there are luggage storage facilities available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Corfu International Airport (CFU), around a ten-minute drive from our hotel.