Best of the Corfu Trail

8 days

Duration

Moderate

Difficulty

Greece

Location

May-October

Availability

Walk the best sections of the Corfu Trail

Enjoy the tranquillity of Greek island life in the rural countryside and pretty seaside towns

Look out for flamingos at Korission Lagoon

Spend a free day in the old town of Corfu, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Enjoy magnificent views to the mainland and Albania from the Pantokrator mountain

Self-guided walking holiday on the Corfu Trail

The Corfu Trail was established in 2001 and quickly became one of the most popular hiking routes in Greece. On this 8-day walking holiday you will hike the highlights of the Corfu Trail, as well as having a free day to discover the alfresco markets and Byzantine buildings of Corfu Old Town.

Though the island of Corfu is a well-known tourism destination, this Ionian Island also has a wild side that is just waiting to be explored on foot. The Corfu Trail winds its way through a landscape of rugged mountains, lush green valleys, pretty olive groves and juniper-covered sand dunes. Along the way you will discover sleepy inland villages where time appears to have stood still, as well as bustling markets and beachside tavernas. You will have ample opportunities to cool down with a refreshing dip or two in the turquoise Mediterranean Sea.

You will start with a walk along the wetlands of Lake Korission, following the yellow marks of the Corfu Trail, before crossing the island from the west to the east coast. A circular walk from Benitses will take you along the Benitses Aqueduct, a remarkable 19^th century irrigation system. Following the Corfu Trail again, you will enjoy spectacular views from the summit of Agioi Deka mountain. After a day in the Unesco town of Corfu you will head north and explore two walks in the northern section of the Corfu Trail: from Rekini you will cross the Pantokrator, Corfu’s highest peak, where you can enjoy views to the mainland and Albania, before discovering the almost abandoned Byzantine village of Old Perithia. Your week of walking ends on Corfu’s northern shore at Agios Spyridonas beach.

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

From €750 per person sharing*

*Supplements will apply during the busy summer season.
*Discounts available for groups of 3 or more. Please enquire for prices.
*Minimum of 2 people per booking.

AVAILABILITY

You can start on any day of the week (subject to availability) from May 4^th until October 25^th.

The best time for walking in Corfu is spring, when the wild flowers carpet the ground, and autumn, when the summer heat has diminished but the sea water temperature is still very pleasant. In the summer months Corfu gets extremely hot.

ACCOMMODATION

7 nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.All hotels of this trip are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite.

Below you find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, we book a similar alternative for you and inform you about the alternative booked.

Messoggi: Hotel Rossis
Corfu Town: Hotel Cavalieri
Barbati: Pantokrator hotel

You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way.

INCLUDED

7 x overnight accommodation
7 x Breakfasts
Transfers to and from Corfu Airport
Luggage transportation while you walk
Taxi transfers on walking days as per the itinerary
Detailed walking notes & maps
Access to dedicated App
GPS tracks
Pre-departure information pack
24/7 telephone support

NOT INCLUDED

Flights & travel insurance
Lunches & dinners
Public buses (Messoggi – Benitses D3 & Sinarades – Corfu Town D4)
Local tourist taxes
Admissions & entrance fees of any kind
Anything else not mentioned in the “included” section

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Single Room Supplement

DIFFICULTY

This trip is graded moderate overall. Moderate walks are interspersed with more strenuous excursions, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous terrain. The walks are on mostly unsurfaced tracks and cobbled mule-paths, with short sections on tarmac roads.

Day 1: Arrival in Corfu and transfer to hotel in Mesoggi

You will be picked up at Corfu Airport and transferred to your first hotel in the seaside village of Mesoggi. Located on the east coast of Corfu, 19 km south of Corfu town, Mesoggi is a quiet former fishing village with a lovely sandy beach and relaxed atmosphere.

Overnight: Mesoggi

Day 2: Walk from the Korission Lagoon to Mesoggi

Distance: 16 km | Ascent: 175 m | Descent: 180 m | Walking time: 4½ hrs approx.

After breakfast a taxi will take you to the start of today’s walk. Your first hike begins on Issos Beach on the western side of Corfu near the Korission Lagoon. This lagoon may bring to mind scenes from the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only, which was filmed here. The coastal area around here is a haven for wildlife. In the spring and autumn, you may see many different species of birds, such as egrets, kingfishers and flamingos if you are lucky. In the saltwater lake there are also terrapins.

From the lake you head back to the east coast via Chlomatiana, walking uphill through olive groves and vinyards. In Chlomatiana you will find a nice restaurant called ‘Archontiko’ from which you have terrific views over the sea. There follows a pleasant descent through olive groves back to Mesoggi.

Overnight: Mesoggi

Day 3: Loop walk from Benitses

Distance: 15 km | Ascent: 600 m | Descent: 600 m | Walking time: 4 hrs approx.

From Mesoggi you take the public bus to the coastal town of Benitses (20 minute journey, ticket not included). From here you ascend through a nice, shady forested area. You will discover historic irrigation waterworks which were built by the British in the 19^th century. Continuing through lush green olive groves, you ascend to the village of Agioi Deka where you can top up your water bottle with fresh spring water. You then descend via rural country roads to Pikantika and Achilleio, two picturesque villages. A steep ascent via a beautiful, romantic trail leads you to the lovely viewpoint at the church of Agia Kyriaki. From here you descend steeply through dense forest to Benitses.

You may relax in one of the numerous cafes in the old town square before taking the bus back to Mesoggi.

Overnight: Mesoggi

Day 4: From Stroggili to Sinarades along the Corfu trail

Distance: 17 km | Ascent: 785 m | Descent: 705 m | Walking time: 6 hrs approx.

We transfer you in the morning by taxi to Stroggili, where you once again join the Corfu Trail. A pleasant footpath takes you onto the slopes of Agioi Deka, the second highest peak of Corfu (676m). You follow historic mule tracks past 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 UNESCO world heritage site.

Overnight: Corfu old town

Day 5: Free day in Corfu Town

A day in Corfu town (also known as Kerkyra) gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy this historic city on foot. Wander through the maze of winding laneways and timeless back alleys, admiring the Venetian-influenced architecture and look out for the town’s 39 churches. You can visit the splendid Liston arcade or the imposing 16^th century fortress. There is also a very interesting archaeological museum as well as excellent dining possibilities.

Overnight: Corfu old town

Day 6: From Rekini to Spartylas along the Corfu trail

Distance: 12 km | Ascent: 575 m | Descent: 220 m | Walking time: 4 hrs approx.

From your hotel in Corfu town, you will be transferred to Rekini, where you begin your walk along the foot of the Pantokrator Mountains in Northern Corfu. Following the Corfu Trail once more, you walk through an area of Corfu that time seems to have forgotten. Quiet cobbled trails lead you to sleepy villages like Sokraki, famous for its ginger beer, this is 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 cafés. Relaxing with a cold drink, you may see the deep blue sea and the coast of Albania on the horizon. From Spartyllas a taxi will pick you up and take you to your final hotel in Barbati, a seaside town on the northern part of the island with a lovely beach surrounded by lush, green hills.

Overnight: Barbati

Day 7: Walk across the Pantokrator, the Corfu Trail Finale

Distance: 21 km | Ascent: 400 m | Descent: 750 m | Walking time: 7 hrs approx.

Today’s finale takes us 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 will 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.

This is a great place to stop for lunch 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.

Overnight: Barbati

Day 8: Departure from Corfu

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Getting to Corfu

	You can find direct flights to Corfu Airport (CFU) from many European cities. If travelling from outside Europe you will probably need to fly to Athens first and then take a domestic flight to Corfu. Many daily flights are available from Athens to Corfu. They are operated by: Aegean Airlines, Cyprus Airways and Olympic Air. Trip duration: 1 hour.
	We will arrange taxi transfers to your first hotel in Messoggi and from your last hotel in Barbati to Corfu Airport. Please advise us of your arrival and departure flight times as soon as you have booked them.