Discovering Corfu by hiking is a whole state of mind. On this very popular island, which fills up every year in high season, the hiking trails are a precious opportunity to get away from the overcrowded areas, the noisy seaside resorts and the tourist hustle and bustle of the Corfu coastline.
When you think of hiking in Greece, Corfu is far from being the first destination that springs to mind, behind the Peloponnese, Crete and even the small islands of the Cyclades... And yet..: an island of considerable size, marked relief and superb coastline should attract the attention of hikers!
Like all the Greek islands, Corfu is criss-crossed by countless footpaths, some of them very old and even a little forgotten. Hiking on Corfu's footpaths means you can still enjoy the island away from the crowds of tourists, discovering it from a calmer, more authentic angle.
The whole of Corfu is criss-crossed by the Corfu Trail, a long 220km hiking trail that is entirely signposted: difficult to cover in one go! But a selection of the most beautiful stretches during your holiday will give you a unique insight into Corfu, its villages, beaches and wonderful natural sites.
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Hiking in Corfu
- © Zigres / ShutterstockHiking, another way to discover Corfu
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Coastal hiking in Corfu
- © Zigres / ShutterstockAt the same time, hiking in Corfu means you don't miss out on any of the island's treasures - quite the contrary! There's often a path to take to reach a beautiful beach, a charming village, a protected natural site... and you can walk at your own pace, taking your time and soaking up the atmosphere of Corfu and its magnificent landscapes.
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On the trails of Corfu
- © VVlasovs / ShutterstockHiking in Corfu gives you the chance to discover the authentic side of the island: a break at the kafeneio, a stop at a fish taverna with your feet in the water, meeting a village elder, or seeing a wild bird... at the same time, there's nothing to stop you stopping off in a lively seaside resort, and taking advantage of lazing on the beach to recover from long hours of walking!
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It's up to you to tailor your hiking itinerary to your physical abilities, your desires and the length of your holiday in Corfu.
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The green hills of Corfu
- © TravelNerd / Shutterstock👉 Practical information
Some tips for hiking in Corfu:
- Spring, from April to June, is the best time to hike in Corfu: good weather, long days, not too many people. The off-season is also good, from mid-September to mid-October, but with shorter days.
- Avoid walking in summer, unless you're very resistant to the heat!
- Always bring sun protection (clothes, hat, cream, etc.).
- Always take plenty of water with you, and snacks to replenish your strength.
- Good shoes are recommended, along with a rucksack: the minimum equipment for walking.
What is the Corfu Trail?
A whole network of paths have been linked by a single set of markers, crossing Corfu from north to south (or vice versa!), concentrating for the most part on the west coast, reputed to be the most beautiful and wildest, and the interior of the island to the north, where the highest peaks are to be found.
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Hiking with a view in Corfu
- © PavelJiranek / ShutterstockIn total, the Corfu Trail covers 220km! It is signposted with small yellow iron plaques indicating the directions to take. This signposting is effective, but does not prevent some long hesitations in places... which is why it is always preferable to have an extra map, or even GPS coordinates that can be downloaded online.
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Accurate topographical maps of Corfu, showing the hiking trails, are available on site. You can also buy the complete Corfu Trail guide online.
It takes an average of 12 days to walk the whole of the Corfu Trail, so you can do it in a two-week holiday! But if you're staying in Corfu for a shorter period, or want to vary your activities, you can choose a particular section of the Corfu Trail to put together your own tailor-made programme.
👉 Practical information
The 12 stages of the Corfu Trail (from south to north):
- Kavos - Lefkimi (via the cape of Asprokavos)
- Lefkimi - Agios Georgios (via Marathias beach)
- Agios Georgios - Ano Pavlania (via Lake Korission)
- Ano Pavlania - Benitses (west coast - east coast)
- Benitses - Pelekas (east coast - west coast)
- Pelekas - Liapades (via Mirtiotissa)
- Liapades - Agios Georgios (via Lakones)
- Agios Georgios - Rekini
- Rekini - Spartylas
- Spartylas - Kaminaki (possibility of going directly to the next stage from Mount Pantokrator)
- Kaminaki - Palea Perithia
- Palea Perithia - Agios Spiridon (north coast)
The most beautiful stretches of the Corfu Trail
Walking the entire Corfu Trail is a memorable experience. But some sections of the route are more memorable than others! Here are a few examples to whet your appetite...
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Need a hand organising your Corfu Trail, finding accommodation or transferring your luggage? Local agency Aperghi Travel, based in Corfu town, offers turnkey self-guided walking tours.
Climbing Mount Pantokrator, from Spartilas to Palea Perithia
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The summit of Mount Pantokrator
- © Pani Garmyder / ShutterstockOn this variant of the Corfu Trail, the ascent begins early in the morning in the village of Spartilas, in the foothills of Mount Pantokrator. Crossing some of Corfu's wildest landscapes is almost as beautiful as the panoramic view from the summit!
From here, take the path straight down towards Palea Perithia, an ancient Venetian village lost in the mountains: with its few traditional tavernas, it's the ideal place to spend the night.
👉 Practical information
- Estimated walking time: 5h/6h
- Ascent: 600m
- Difficulty: difficult
![The Merchants House](https://ims.ev.mu/large_313819723_1d98dcf70b/large_313819723_1d98dcf70b.jpg)
The Merchants House
A timeless place with an incomparable style, a nugget of the island!The southern tip of Cape Asprokavos, from Kavos to Spartera
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Potamakia beach and Cape Asprokavos
- © TravelNerd / ShutterstockDeparting from Kavos or Spartera, at the southernmost tip of Corfu, the path winds its way through wooded hills untouched by buildings, with the exception of the ruins of the ancient monastery of Arkoudilas.
Along the way, there are magnificent views of Cape Asprokavos, the tip of Corfu with its white cliffs, the deep blue Ionian Sea and Paxos on the horizon. Crossing the beautiful beach of Potamakia offers a superb opportunity for a swim along the way!
👉 Practical information
- Estimated walking time: 3 hours
- Ascent: 100m
- Difficulty: easy
![Asprokavos flat](https://ims.ev.mu/459227235_e976554925/459227235_e976554925.jpg)
Asprokavos flat
Accommodation 200 metres from Kavos beachPelekas and the coves on the west coast as far as Liapades
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A break on the way to Mirtiotissa
- © TravelNerd / ShutterstockThis is a beautiful coastal itinerary that criss-crosses the rugged terrain of Corfu's western coastline, with plenty of opportunities to descend into coves for a swim: the most memorable stage of the day will surely be the beach at Mirtiotissa, a local landmark.
Starting out from Pelekas, a typically Greek village, the walk is long but also superb from start to finish, with Liapades as the stopping-off point for the night (for the shorter, easier version, you can stop off at Vatos).
👉 Practical information
- Estimated walking time: Pelakas-Liapades 7h / Pelekas-Vatos 4h
- Elevation gain: 300m
- Difficulty: difficult / medium
![Villa Eleni - Studios](https://ims.ev.mu/large_304092280_461597cfb6/large_304092280_461597cfb6.jpg)
Villa Eleni - Studios
Located next to the beaches of Rovinia and Gefyra.The spectacular coastline from Liapades to Agios Georgios or Paleokastritsa
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View of Paleokastritsa from Lakones
- © PawelKusek / ShutterstockThis is the section that follows the previous one: the path is truly spectacular, dominating Corfu's west coast at its most jagged. Once you reach Lakones, you're faced with a dilemma: take the old path down to Paleokastritsa below, and stop off at the island's most popular resort. Or continue along the Corfu Trail as far as Agios Georgios, to enjoy the picturesque beach of Porto Timoni...
Why not spread this section over 2 days, and offer yourself both options?
👉 Practical information
- Estimated walking time: 3h30
- Ascent: 250m
- Difficulty: medium
![Azure Mare Studios By Hotelius](https://ims.ev.mu/large_302960908_ff51ff245e/large_302960908_ff51ff245e.jpg)
Azure Mare Studios By Hotelius
Establishment with sea viewsLake Korission and its beaches, from Agios Georgios to Paramonas
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Crossing the Issos dunes at Lake Korission
- © Plam Petrov / ShutterstockIt's the perfect trail for those who don't like steep climbs, but aren't afraid of walking in the sand! Starting from Agios Georgios (the southern one this time), this section of the Corfu Trail heads towards Corfu's longest beaches, crossing Issos and Chalikounas.
The latter border Lake Korission, whose dunes are a haven for birds and a protected natural area home to a rare juniper forest and numerous orchids. A sight like no other on Corfu.
👉 Practical information
- Estimated walking time: 4h30
- Ascent: 100m
- Difficulty: medium
![Pension Skala](https://ims.ev.mu/large_17069751_72af677c98/large_17069751_72af677c98.jpg)