Corfu Walks

‘Tours don't come more gold plated than with the support and involvement of Hilary Whitton Paipeti. I really started walking seriously on Corfu courtesy of her softcover books, ‘Second Book of Corfu Walks' and 'In the Footsteps of the Durrells' (1999), then went to the Corfu Trail detailed maps then PDF downloads and now this app. Fantastic resources.’

The diversity of Corfu’s landscape is quite astonishing. Whilst hiking on the island you will encounter vast groves of ancient olive trees, wild beaches, juniper-forested dunes, dense oak woodland, a karst plateau where nomad cattle roam, deep gorges, wetlands, mountain summits, bucolic plains, old monasteries, ruined olive presses, picturesque villages and ancient fortresses. Every hike is unique in character, and even on a single hike you rarely remain in any one type of terrain for very long. And at every corner there may be a surprise, a new scene to assault the eye: a sudden glimpse of the sea far below, a dramatic view over a wide valley, a flower-carpeted meadow, or a tiny hidden chapel.

Corfu Narratour is working with Hilary Whitton Paipeti, the creator of the Corfu Trail and the island’s walking guru, to produce a series of innovative guides to the very best the island has to offer. These app-based guides have been surveyed on the ground and consist of a tracker map showing your location and the onward route, supported by audio and written directions, and by photographs of local landmarks. The apps are not reliant on an Internet connection and instead are based on more dependable gps locators.

Corfu Narratour’s ever-growing portfolio, developed in partnership with our in-house expert Hilary, includes undemanding strolls, longer country rambles, and tough treks on mountain territory. Whatever your preference, you will enjoy the very best of Corfu’s varied and surprisingly unspoilt countryside.

Hilary Whitton Paipeti

You can find the walks here.

Hilary Paipeti is the creator of the Corfu Trail, the island’s long-distance hiking route. The official Guide to the Corfu Trail, with changes and updates, is also available as a Corfu Narratour app, and as as a pdf file. To find out more click on the image below.

Walks currently available as Corfu Narratour apps:

• Top Eight Great Corfu Hikes
  In this package of walks, we have selected eight of Corfu’s top mountain hikes. They may be long or somewhat shorter, but all have tough sections. For hikers who like a challenge.
  
  
• Family Walks for All
  This package of eight walks is designed to appeal to all the family, including children over about six (or use your own judgement according to your child’s abilities). None of them are demanding, though some do involve unchallenging hill climbs. Most include at least one place of interest for children (and adults) to enjoy.
  
  
• Liapades Olive Way (Country Walk)
  Liapades grew rich from the vast olive groves that cover the hillsides behind the village. This undulating walk takes you on a long circuit amongst the beautiful and ancient trees, and showcases this lovely village.
  

• The Oak Forest and the High Tracks (Short Walk)
  A dense and mysterious oak forest, a spooky semi-abandoned village and mountain tracks with stunning views are dramatic features of this walk, high above the North East Coast, but truly in the mountain zone.

• Dreaming Forest
  Take one of our favourite walks through a landscape where you could imagine meeting characters from A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Encounter silence, dense forest, deceptive rock formations and fantastic views. You can choose a shorter version.

• Kombitsi Pine Forest (Short Walk)
  Part of Corfu Town’s wider suburbs, Kombitsi village is located on the edge of a vast bowl of virgin forest, featuring stone pine, chestnut and oak trees. This short and easy walk takes you quickly into the depths of the woods to give you a taste of its unique atmosphere. Not a walk for wet winters.

• Surf and Turf on the North Cape (Country Walk)
  An exploration of the Agia Ekaterini Headland, a Natura 2000 protected area and Corfu’s northernmost point. Follow the shoreline along low rugged cliffs, pass unspoiled beaches and return through ancient olive groves and a forest. The walk is a special delight for botanists.

• Kombitsi Pine Forest (Short Walk)
  Part of Corfu Town’s wider suburbs, Kombitsi village is located on the edge of a vast bowl of virgin forest, featuring stone pine, chestnut and oak trees. This short and easy walk takes you quickly into the depths of the woods to give you a taste of its unique atmosphere. Not a walk for wet winters.

• Lefkimmi River and the Alikes Salt Pans (Country Walk)
  The plains between the Lefkimmi River and the abandoned salt pans at Alikes, seemingly forlorn, comprise a protected Natura 2000 site, with many types of coastal and marsh plants, along with aquatic birds. This walk explores the area, then returns through the ancient olive groves on its fringe. On the way, the region’s agricultural heritage is revealed, part of the island’s wider economic history.

• Cyclorama Hike (Mountain Walk)
  Making a circuit of the eastern highlands of the Pantokrator Massif, this long and taxing hike offers a cycloramic perspective of a large section of the island, to the north east and southwards, and finally to the north. Views don't come better than this.

• Sinarades West Coast Loop (Short Walk)
  From the centre of Sinarades, this undemanding walk climbs through the picturesque houses. It follows the Corfu Trail high above the sea along the coastal hills, with gorgeous sea views, then turns inland to take you back to the start through olive groves and gardens.

• Arkoudillas and the Kavos Reservoir (Country Walks)
  These two circuits of Corfu’s most southerly point are blessed with a landscape little touched by the tourist development of nearby Kavos. You’ll pass through virgin forest, old olive trees and cultivated areas. On the longer route, you’ll also walk the length of one of the island’s best beaches.

• Sokraki Forest and Mount Koraki (Mountain Walk)
  Sokraki is an unpretentious village now attracting adventurous visitors seeking authenticity, activities and honest food. Hikers can enjoy a circuit in the surrounding forest, following the Corfu Trail and then back on a mountain track.

• Mount Agii Deka Ascent and Circuit (Mountain Walk)
  Corfu’s second highest individual peak is criss-crossed with a network of fine footpaths, some through lovely woodland and others on the open mountainside. This ascent of the mountain mostly uses these old trails, rewarding the adventurous hiker with amazing views.

• Mount Saint George (Mountain Walk)
  Mount Saint George, or Agios Georgios, rises to 393 metres straight from the sea. You reach the summit from Vatos village, a tough climb through Mediterranean shrubs up a mountain footpath, one of the best in central Corfu.

• Secrets of Mon Repos (Short Walk)
  An independent walk in the park of Mon Repos, following trails and footpaths amongst groves of exotic and native trees and shrubs. The park’s many hidden archaeological and architectural treasures are revealed on this easy stroll.

• Sokraki Forest Short Circuit (Short Walk)
  Set 450 metres above sea level, Sokraki is one of the highest of Corfu’s villages. This untaxing walk starts at the famous viewpoint and takes you on a scenic short circuit through forest and olive groves.

• The British Water Springs at Benitses (Short Walk)
  From Benitses Harbour Square, small roads and a path through jungle-like terrain lead you to up to the 19th century British-built Water Springs, and to the pretty church of Saint Nicholas. Ideal for a picnic!

• Circuit of the Theotoky Estate (Country Walk)
  This bucolic walk through agricultural land takes you the full circuit of the 300 acre Theotoky Estate, famous for its vintage wine and cold-pressed olive oil. You can visit the winery towards the end of the walk.

• Secret Path to Lakones (Mountain Walk)
  Dating back at least a thousand years, this cobbled way leads up a secret gully, invisible from the sea and from marauding pirates. The return route from Lakones takes you down a zig-zag trail with glorious sea views.

• The Kassiopi Hinterland and the Oak Forest (Mountain Walk)
  Stupendous sea views, wild mountain scenery, tree-lined gullies and a dense oak forest are stunning features of this spectacular walk, which takes you high into the hills above Kassiopi. All the hinterland and coastline are laid out below.

• The Stavros Ridgeways (Mountain Walk)
  Enjoy the mountain ridge behind Stavros village, with its amazing views. Visit a precariously located chapel, reminiscent of Meteora. Return along a rough footpath, one of the best in central Corfu.