Corfu Trail

After arrival on Corfu airport you will be transferred to your hotel in the village Messonghi located on the east coast of Corfu, 19km south of Corfu town. Messonghi is a quiet former fishing village with a lovely sandy beach and relaxed atmosphere.

After breakfast, a taxi will pick you up and transfer you to the start of your walk at Issos beach on the western side of Corfu near the Korission Lagoon. The lagoon was used as a location for the James Bind film ‘For your eyes only’. The coastal area really is a haven for wildlife. In the spring and autumn seasons, you may see many different bird species, such as egrets and kingfishers. In the saltwater lake are terrapins as well. Now walking from the lake you head back to the east coast via Chlomatiana. You walk uphill through olive groves and vineyards. In Chlomatiana there is a nice restaurant ‘Archontiko’ from which you have terrific views over the sea. There follows a pleasant descent through olive groves back to Messonghi.

Firstly, today you take the public bus to the coastal town of Benitses. The bus ride is around 20 minutes. Now you start your walk ascending through a nice, shady forested area. You will walk along some historic irrigation waterworks dating back to the 19th century. These waterworks were constructed by the British at the time.  Now walking through lush green olive groves, you ascend and come to the village Agioi Deka where you can fill up on water at a fresh spring water. You now continue via rural country roads as you descend to Pikantika and Achilleio, two picturesque little villages. You now have a steep ascent via a beautiful trail that leads you to a lovely viewpoint at the church of Agia Kyriaki. Now you descend steeply through dense forest to Benitses. Why not relax in one of the numerous cafes in the old town square before taking the bus back to Messonghi.

After breakfast a transfer by taxi to Stroggili where you join the Corfu Trail again. A pleasant footpath will now take you onto the slopes of Agioi Deka, the second highest peak of Corfu at 676m. You will follow historic mule tracks passing through traditional mountain villages and a beautiful monastery. Once you reach Sinarades you catch a bus to Corfu Town. Your hotel is located, in the old town of Corfu, a world heritage site. Tomorrow you will have time to explore the town further.

A day in Corfu town gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy this historic city on foot. You will explore picturesque paths, colorful and charming alleys, admire the architecture seemingly influenced by the Venetians, and may visit the dominating 16th-century fortress. There is a very interesting archaeological museum as well and dining possibilities are excellent.

Today another taxi transfer to Rekini, where you begin your walk along the foot of the Pantokrator Mountains in Northern Corfu. You follow the Corfu Trail again as you walk through an area of Corfu that time seems to have forgotten. Quiet cobbled trails, sleepy villages like Sokraki, famous for its ginger beer, rural Corfu at its very best! Those walking in spring will be spoilt by the display of orchids on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator. The walk ends in Spartyllas, where there are several café’s. Sipping a drink you may see the deep blue sea and Albania on the horizon. From Spartyllas a taxi will pick you up and take you to Barbati.

Today’s last walk takes you to the saddle of the Pantokrator for stunning views of the nearby Albanian mountains. You start at 350m altitude and ascend via old mule tracks and dirt roads to a high saddle. You come across three mountain villages. Mengoulas is an abandoned village with ruined stone buildings. More interesting is the almost abandoned Byzantine village of Old Perithia, with 6 old churches and a couple of nice taverns.

You may have a terrific lunch here, before making the final descent to the coast. The track runs through a green valley and forest. The very last section along wetlands near the coast is quite spectacular. Your walk ends in Agios Spyridon on Corfu’s northern coast. This is also the very end of the Corfu Trail. From here you will be transferred back to Barbati.