Corfu Trail Walking - North and South

Begin your Greek adventure in the elegant island capital of Corfu Town. Meet your tour leader at the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and dinner. If you arrive early, explore Corfu Town's Old Quarter, nestled above the old port, and marvel at the two Venetian forts, Paleo Frourio and Neo Frourio.

Leave Corfu Town behind and head south to Kavos. Start your hike towards the southern tip of the island, where the ruined monastery of Arkoudillas stands. Follow the footpath down to Corfu's southernmost beach, then continue through agricultural land to Spartera and finally to Asprokavos. Spend the night in a simple resort-style hotel.

Put your walking shoes to the test with a longer walk to Santa Barbara. From Asprokavos, follow a track around a peaceful lake, descend through olive groves to Lefkimmi, and then descend into the lush green valley of the Gardeno River. The final stretch rewards you with views of both the east and west coasts of Corfu. Spend the night in simple accommodation near the beach.

Today's trail takes you along a path that follows the curvature of the beach, through sand dunes covered with cedar trees, and across a footbridge to reach Lake Korission. Continue to Paramonas, a small fisherman's hamlet on the west coast. Stay in simple apartments surrounded by fruit trees and with sea views.

After breakfast with a sea view, push on to Benitses. A sharp climb early in the walk will take you over the coastal ridge with views out onto the water and inland to the villages of Ano and Kato Payliana. Cross the Messongi River Valley and head uphill to Komianata, before descending to the picturesque fishing village of Benitses.

From Benitses, take a bus back to Stavros, and continue your walk skirting the Agii Deka Mountain. Make a sharp ascent to the summit of Agii Deka, Corfu's second highest alone-standing peak. Visit the abandoned monastery in a walled garden, then continue to Sinarades and Pelekas. Take the bus back to your accommodation in Benitses.

Take on the walk to Liapades. Start with a half-hour descent to Myrtiotissa, known as 'the loveliest beach in the world'. After the beach, regain the height lost and more with a harsh ascent up a gravel and concrete track. Pass the village of Vatos, track through the Ropa river valley, ascend to the village of Giannades, and finally reach Liapades. Stay close to Liapades beach, surrounded by green hillsides.

Today is free for you to explore more at your own pace. Relax on Liapades Beach, take a short walk to the beautiful beach of Rovinia, or join an optional boat trip up the west coast of Corfu. You could also visit the famous Paleokastritsa Monastery, situated on a spectacular promontory.

Negotiate a steep, fairly difficult ascent up to the old village of Lakones. After close to a kilometre of unavoidable road, head up on an old cobbled footpath towards the villages of Vistonas, Makrades and Krini. In the afternoon, continue down one of Greece's most remarkable footpaths, The Donkey Path, to the sweeping bay of Agios Georgios. Stay in the pleasant beach resort of Agios Georgios.

Start with another sharp climb from Agios Georgios to the village of Prinilas. Descend to the picturesque village of Pagi, from where tracks and a quiet road lead you through agricultural land alongside the Megapotamos River through Aspiotades to the sprawling villages of Agros and Agios Athanasios. From the villages, follow a quiet road past the wealthy convent of Agios Athanasios and tracks that take you to the road junction at Rekini. At Rekini, take a short bus journey to the nearest accommodation on the north coast at Roda.

Take a local bus back to the Corfu Trail. Starting your walk from Rekini, take the unmade road to Valanio, a village deep in the middle of nowhere, from where tracks funnel you up a deep valley. Follow a cobbled path to enter Sokraki, where the village square with its happy atmosphere calls for a stop. Then carry on to Spartillas, where a chartered bus is waiting to take you down to your accommodation at the picturesque coastal village of Kalami.

The real mountain terrain beckons. Transfer by bus back to Spartillas to begin your walk, which starts immediately with a steep mountain footpath, climbing a gully to a fantastic viewpoint at Taxiarchis Chapel. Ascend further to cross the Karst Plateau, Corfu's wildest scenery, under the summit of Pantokrator. Make your way to the very top and visit the monastery, with its views across to the mountains of Albania. Descend to the deserted village of Palia Perithia where you'll stop at a taverna for a refresher.

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 round trip from Kalami to Mengoulas or a walk through the unspoiled Erimitis Peninsula to the lovely seaside village of Kassiopi.

Return to Corfu Town's old port by bus this morning. In the afternoon, your tour leader will accompany you on a walking orientation tour of the main points of interest in the marvellous Venetian town centre. You might also like to visit the intriguing Mouse Island by boat departing from the peninsula's small jetty.

Your tour ends at your 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.