Walking in Corfu - Sunflower Books

The diverse landscapes of Corfu

Corfu, a jewel in the Ionian Sea, is not just a sun-soaked destination for beach lovers. Its diverse landscapes, from rugged mountains to verdant valleys, offer a fantastic environment for walkers and nature enthusiasts.

Our guidebook to walking in Corfu is your ideal companion. We’ve listed some of our favourite walks below.

Cape Agia Ekaterinis (Walk 1)

This short walk is suitable for everyone, from kids to grannies. But if you find the rocky coastal path hard going, you can switch to the track a short way inland for an out-and-back walk.

Cape Ekaterinis, with its lagoon, tidal streams, and small coves, is very picturesque – and tranquil outside high season. Pines and cypress trees also make a pleasant change from the ubiquitous olive.

Acharavi panorama circuit (Walk 3)

A walker suggested this flower-filled ‘panorama hike’ to us. It has been brilliantly waymarked by a resident, with blue waymarks or arrows on trees, telephone poles or walls at strategic junctions.

And it certainly is panoramic: on these ancient trails on the flanks of Pantokrator, you’ll have wonderful views of northern Corfu and nearby Albania, while trailing orchids and other wildflowers.

Circuit from Nimfes via two monis (Walk 10)

This walk calls at two of the island’s little-visited monis, each in a different setting. You head from a luxuriant valley full of gardens and trees up to the drier, stonier, olive-clad slopes.
Climbing to the summit of a rocky peak, you’re surrounded by soft pink heather and shiny-leafed strawberry trees.

Nimfes boasts a nine-spout fountain but, after a wet period, an amazingly impressive (for Corfu) waterfall.

Grand circuit from Paleokastritsa (Walk 16)

It’s hard to imagine Paleokastritsa as a humble fishing village before the onset of tourism. Set amid a sequence of turquoise bays and rocky coves, backed by tumbling green hillsides and the dominant bulk of Mt Arakli, it must have been incomparably beautiful.

This walk makes a circuit up the flanks of Mt Arakli, giving unsurpassed views of the Bay of Liapades.

It follows old stone-paved paths and donkey tracks, visiting three attractive hillside villages on the way and then, returning towards the coast, it leads you to a steep climb up to the rocky fortress of Angelokastro.

Ropa Plain circuit (Walk 20)

This is a ramble full of bucolic charm. You pass by ponds, through thickets of tangled foliage, and cross grassy fields. On route you call at Ag Noufures, the charming abandoned monastery shown overleaf.

There are no significant ups and downs, so you can just stride out.

Mt Ag Mattheos (Walk 27)

The panoramic view over the south of the island from Mt Ag Mattheos is well worth the climb. It’s best done in the late afternoon, when it’s cooler and the light is softer.

While the track that you follow on the ascent is wide and ugly, scarring the whole mountainside, the descent path through the kermes oak wood (one of the few left on the island), is ample compensation.

The best time to walk in Corfu

While Corfu is a year-round destination, the ideal time for walking is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). These periods offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and vibrant nature.

The spring months bring blooming wildflowers and lush greenery, while autumn paints the island in golden hues.

Corfu’s natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality make it an unforgettable destination for walkers. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual stroller, the island offers something for everyone. Use our guidebook to walking in Corfu to experience the very best that this island has to offer.