In the beautiful forest: A circular route in the forest of Kalafationes   The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.   Route’s type: circular Route’s duration: one hour and twenty minutes Route’s length: 4.000m Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it. It is recommended to avoid rainy days or the days afterwards.   The route The route starts from the parking area of the settlement and after walking through the beautiful settlement we reach the central square. There we have to be careful to take the right cobbled path leading to the trail. It is the small downhill, to the north - northeast, next to the large cobbled path. After walking a little more on the outskirts of the settlement, take the path north-northwest. The path is not marked but now and then we find a yellow wooden sign with a hedgehog. The trail passes through lush vegetation providing a dreamy shady environment. The trail is accompanied, in many places (especially at the beginning), by a stream that makes it muddy and therefore slippery. On days after rain it may be difficult to cross. Since the path is not marked, caution is required at junctions in order to maintain our direction. When the downhill path ends, we come across a narrow stream which is easily passed. After this the path becomes uphill, we meet a dirt road, which we take on the uphill side until the moment we meet a gate and next to it the path starts uphill again, which becomes very steep on the way. At its end, the path meets an asphalt road, which joins the main road of the settlement, where after passing the interesting area with the wells, we head to the starting point of the route, the parking area.   On the island of Corfu there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ypsos, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town, Achilleion, Moraitika, Argyrades and Lefkimmi. Police stations in the settlements (from north to south): Karousades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town and Lefkimmi. Numerous private medical offices, medical centres and pharmacies, while public health structures exist (from north to south): the Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, the Acharavi Regional Medical Centre, the Agios Athanasios Health Centre, the Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town, and the Lefkimmi Health Centre,   Kalafationes Kalafationes are located in Middle Corfu, 9 km from Corfu town and at an altitude of 182 m., between a dense olive grove and a virgin forest of chestnut trees. It has 461 inhabitants (2011 census). It is a designated traditional settlement. Walking along its traditional cobbled streets, you will admire the folk architecture of the houses and enjoy the hospitality of the inhabitants in the traditional cafes. The history of the settlement dates back to ancient times. Evidence for this, is the existence of ancient settlements in the wider area (Kamara, Kouramades, Kastelanoi, etc.), but also the fact that the calcite found on the hills of Kalafationes and Varypatades was used in antiquity for the construction of the columns and the epithelium of the Doric Temple of Kardaki. It suffered, like other villages on the island, great destruction during the invasion of Barbarossa in 1573. The name of the settlement "Kalafationes" comes from the work of reed drilling, which was the livelihood of many of its inhabitants, either by waterproofing boats or, probably, barrels. In Kalafaties it is worth visiting the modern equestrian club, where riding and therapeutic riding lessons are held, as well as the tzitsibira factory, the only one that still produces this traditional soft drink, a relic of the British rule on the island. In the wider area there are five churches, Agios Ioannis (in the area of Gerama), the Church of Prophitis Ilias, The churches of Agios Ioannis (in the centre of the village) which is the metropolitan church of the village, Panagia (also in the centre of the village), Agioi Pantes (in the south-eastern edge of the village) where it has been moved and currently is functioning as cemetery, and Agia Marina (in the district of Kothoniki). The neighbouring villages are Varypatades, Kouramades, Viros and Kastellani of Mesi. Kobitsi Forest Just a few kilometers away from Corfu town, the village of Kobitsi is located at the top of a hill with a panoramic view of Peleka, the lagoon of Halikiopoulos and the mountain of Agioi Deka. In Kobitsi there are the mansion of the homonymous family, the high bell tower in the church of Agioi Apostoloi and the restored Venetian fountain. Just outside the settlement there is a beautiful forest with pine and chestnut trees, an ideal place for a walk on foot or by bicycle through the lush vegetation and wild flowers, accompanied by the chirping of birds. Varipatades It is one of the most beautiful settlements, belonging to the municipal unit of Achilleion. It is located next to Kalafationes. It is a designated listed settlement, built on the slopes of a hill, the top of which is covered with olive and cypress trees.   Walking along the cobbled streets of Varipatades, we will admire the tall mansions with pastel colours and Corfiot beige tiles, the traditional houses, built almost one on top of the other, the small traditional square, where the church of Agios Stefanos is located. In Varipatades, a unique custom is revived on the evening of Holy Friday: Hundreds of snail shells, the so-called "boboloi" are made into lamps, with cotton wicks in oil, and placed lit all along the route where the Epitaph passes, creating an extremely solemn atmosphere.