The Corfu Trail, a hike through Corfu

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.

At 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.

Hiking 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!

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.

In 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.

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...

Climbing Mount Pantokrator, from Spartilas to Palea Perithia

On 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.

The southern tip of Cape Asprokavos, from Kavos to Spartera

Departing 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!

Pelekas and the coves on the west coast as far as Liapades

This 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).

The spectacular coastline from Liapades to Agios Georgios or Paleokastritsa

This 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?

Lake Korission and its beaches, from Agios Georgios to Paramonas

It'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.