Hiking in Corfu

There are easier ways to visit the top of Corfu, by car! At the top of Mount Pantokrator (906m) there is a café for tourists and a lot of telecoms equipment but that doesn’t distract from the excellent views over the whole of the island and beyond to Albania. There is also a monastery first built in 1347 and rebuilt over the years. There is a winding road you can drive all the way to the top, or you can take an easier walk from Old Perithia (2 hour round trip).

We decided one evening to get up early and take the cold of the day to walk from our apartment in Barbati to join of the Corfu Trail, all the way to the top. This is not a trip for those who can’t navigate or are not hill fit, Munro walking in Scotland helps but factor in 35degC too! We took lots of water, snacks and fuelled up every kilometre. Total distance approximately 20km with ~900m of ascent, about an average hill day in Scotland!

The walk from our apartment to the next village Spartilas was easy enough along a quiet back road. From there we joined the Corfu Trail all the way to the top. The trail is not way marked but there is some useful green paint dots to follow, although you could easily lose these in places. The trail is beautiful, especially up high, with lots of wildlife on display, including herds of goats! You can rehydrate in the Café, then once again when you’re back in Spartilas but take plenty of fluids!

Some photos below :)