Cephalonian Fir Abies cephalonica is a Greek endemic species, growing naturally only in Greece. It was first described as a new species by the English botanist JW Loudon in 1838. This together with its phytogeographical importance were the main reasons Mt.Aenos was declared a National Forest in 1962.

In the ruined villages: Monastery of Iperagia Theotokos Thematon Pilarou - Palaia Vlahata - Palaia Poulata - Karavomilos 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: linear Route’s duration: 3 hours Route’s length: 9,200 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route The trail starts from the Monastery of the Iperagia Theotokos Thematon Pylarou, or more simply from Themata. From this place, apart from the proposed route (which is not signposted), there are other routes, known as the 'hiking routes of Mount Agia Dynati'.  From the well-kept and lush area of the monastery, with its magnificent view, we go downhill on the asphalt road and after about 900 metres we turn east on the downhill dirt road. The landscape is rocky, with olive trees and other types of low vegetation, and the view is always magnificent. In a short while (about 1200 metres from the start of the dirt road) we come across the stream "Vathi Avlaki", the crossing of which is not challenging, because most days of the year there is no water. We continue our way downhill in the same area, enjoying the special nature and the view to the strait of Kefalonia - Ithaca. The dirt road does not present any difficulties in crossing it and although the shady places are not enough, they do exist. Along the way, we will also come across many farming activities. When we approach the abandoned and ruined settlement of the Palia Vlachata, at the junction with another dirt road, we follow the southern direction (on our right as we descend) and we reach the old square of the settlement, where a tour of the ruined buildings is considered essential, since, apart from their architectural value, they take us back in time. After Palia Vlahata, we continue our southern route along the dirt road (ignoring the asphalt road) to Palia Latavinata, another abandoned and ruined settlement. To the west and on the mountain above, there is the geological phenomenon of "Lakovitsa", but it is not visible from our route. A deviation and a short climb is required to observe it. From Latavinata, we change direction to the east, towards Karavomilos, avoiding once again the asphalt road and we continue along the dirt road, where after about a kilometre, we find ourselves on the outskirts of the settlement. Through the streets of the settlement we continue our way, until we reach the famous and particularly beautiful lake cave of Melissani. After the visit to the lake cave, we continue our way to the beach and the beautiful lake of Karavomilos, which marks the end of the route. The duration of the path is about three hours, not counting stops - visiting the various sights of the route (Palia Vlachata, the lake cave, etc.). As a linear route it can also be done from the reverse of the proposed direction, but this is not recommended, because in this case the route is continuously uphill and therefore tiring. It should also be noted that the areas through which this route passes have a number of other interesting places to visit, such as the ruined settlements of the Palia Tarkasata and Livathinata, the restored settlements of Drakopoulata and Poulata, as well as other particularly interesting geological phenomena, such as the Drogkarati cave, the caves of Aggelaki, Agii Theodoroi and Agia Eleousa, the Zervati cave in the settlement of Karavomilos, etc.  Due to the special character of the route (a continuous downhill route) and its relatively long length (more than nine kilometres), it is recommended that the walker should have a means of transport at Karavomilos, because as it has already been mentioned, the return to the start of the route (Themata) will be tiring, especially if the walker has visited the other sights of the area. In Kefalonia there are Health Centres in Sami and Hospitals in Argostoli and Lixouri. There are also police services in Fiskardo, Sami, Poros, Lixouri and Argostoli. Citizen Service Centres are in Argostoli, Livathou, Poros and in Agia Efthimia. Monastery of Iperagia Theotokos Thematon Pylarou The Monastery of Themata is built on the slope of Agia Dynati, near Makriotika in the province of Pylaros. It is an ancient monastery, probably of the 9th or 10th century, built in a magnificent location, in a forest of holly trees, with a wonderful view of Ithaca and the Ionian Sea. It owes its name to the leader of the Byzantine "Thema" of Kefallinia (local governor of the island), who had his headquarters in the area. Throughout the existence of the Thema of Kefallinia, the monastery played an important administrative and spiritual role. In later years, the passage and teaching of Cosmas Etolos in the monastery in 1777 is memorable. In 1953, the monastery was destroyed by the devastating earthquakes that struck the island. The carved wooden iconostasis, some icons and manuscripts were saved. In the period 1970-1974 the monastery was rebuilt from the ground up. The miraculous and ancient (12th century) icon of the Virgin Mary is solemnly celebrated on Easter Tuesday (Panagia Portaitissa of Agio Oros) and on the 15th of August (Kimisis tis Theotokou) with widespread participation. Palaia Vlachata Palia Vlachata is a village of Kefalonia that was inhabited before the 17th century, but unfortunately it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1953 and its inhabitants were transferred to the present-day Karavomilos. During its prosperity, it had 800 inhabitants, of all social classes, nobles, merchants, farmers (villans) and fishermen (buranelles). In the village there were three churches, schools, shops and three olive mills. A point of reference for the local community was the saristra, the central square of the settlement, which hosted the festival of Zoodochos Pigi, as well as dances and carnival masquerades. Today, all that remains are half-ruined buildings, old cisterns and winding dirt streets, often covered by over-aged olive, wisteria and pomegranate trees. One of the buildings, the biggest part of which has managed to remain standing, is the church of Agios Ioannis tou Prodromou (Saint John the Baptist). The church, built in 1871, has paintings on the inside and parts of the floor, recesses where the chalice and the icon of the saint were placed, are still visible. In the ruins of the old village, every summer, the three-day festival SARISTRA takes place with music, art, cinema and many parallel activities. The festival is very popular and attracts many visitors from every corner of the island. Unfortunately, the festival has been cancelled in recent years due to the pandemic. Karavomylos (and its lake) Karavomylos is a picturesque fishing village located west of Sami and 2 km from its port. What characterizes and gives Karavomylos a special character is an underwater spring of a large supply of brackish water. The spring is of great geological and biological interest. It is one of the most important springs of the wider network of the area and it is connected through an underground system with the sinkholes of Argostoli. The spring has been isolated by a wall from the sea, creating an artificial lake. This lake is almost circular, with brackish water gushing out of the bottom and ending up in the neighbouring sea, in the bay of Sami. The diameter of the lake is 50 m, it is about 1 m deep and its bottom is covered with seaweed and mud. The settlement of Karavomylos, and therefore the spring and the lake, took their name from a watermill that operated there, using an iron ship's wheel. Water mills were already operating in the area since the 19th century, using the waters of the spring. The village is an attraction for visitors to the island, as some of the most famous and beautiful natural attractions of Kefalonia are located within walking distance. These are the cave of Drogarati and the lake of Melissani. Melissani Lake Cave The Melissani Lake Cave is located 2 km northwest of Sami, in Karavomylos. It was discovered in 1951 by the caveologist Giannis Petrochilos. It takes its name either from the myth of the nymph Melissani who committed suicide here because the god Pan refused her, or from the tradition that the shepherdess Melissanthi was killed by falling into the lake while chasing one of her sheep. In the middle of the lake there is a small island on which worship objects of the god Pan have been found, proving that the place was already sacred in prehistoric times. The natural entrance to the cave is vertical (40 x 50 m) and was created by the fall of part of the roof, probably due to an earthquake. The lake is 20 m below ground level, about 160 m long and between 10 and 40 m deep. Stalactites dating back 20 000 years, with strange shapes, decorate most of the cave.  The Melissani Lake Cave can be visited from an artificial entrance, which leads through an underground tunnel to its main hall. The tour is guided by boats along the entire length of the lake. The absence of a roof in the main hall allows sunlight to enter the cave and color the waters in a unique way, especially at noon.

Erimitis Path: Avlaki beach - Akoli - Vromolimni - Korfovounia - Aspalathra beach - Agios Stefanos of Sinies     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: linear Route’s duration: 1 hour and a half Route’s length: 4.000m Level of difficulty: medium Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it   The route Following the coastline, the Erimitis Path starts from Avlaki beach and ends at Agios Stefanos of Sinies. On this route we will walk through dense vegetation, we will meet isolated beaches, as well as three lakes, important wetlands and rare bird sanctuaries. The route starts from the Savoura swamp and after passing Avlaki beach we climb slightly towards the next beach ("eastern" Avlaki beach which is also a nudist beach). The route takes place in a lush, overgrown and shady environment. We leave the beach behind and climb uphill towards the east - southeast. From a certain point and especially after the crossroads, where we head east, we descend, through a steep downhill that requires attention, towards the beach of exceptional beauty Akoli with the homonymous lake. After crossing it, we head south, where we reach the Vromolimni beach with the homonymous lake. We cross the beach and continue in the shadow of Erimitis towards Korfovounia beach and then Aspalathra beach. The route continues to the edge of Agios Stefanos and ends downhill to the homonymous beach and the settlement. It is a route of high environmental importance with intense landscape diversity and excellent views of the Ionian Sea, the island of Peristeres (or Kapareli) and the Albanian coast. As a linear route, the walker must have foreseen to have a means of transport at the end of the route (Agios Stefanos) or otherwise he/she has to return by the same route, doubling the total length of the route.     In the island of Corfu there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ipsos, 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), Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, Acharavi R.M.C., Agios Athanasios Health Centre, Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town, Lefkimmi Health Centre.     Erimitis The area of Erimitis includes a continuation of six beaches, a cluster of three lakes (Savoura, Akoli, Vromolimni) and constitutes a single entity with the oldest lighthouse in Greece (1828) on the opposite nearby island, Peristeres (or Kapareli). Erimitis is accessible on foot along paths or by boat from the sea. The area is overgrown with very dense vegetation and it is practically impossible to cross it off the paths. It is a refuge for numerous rare birds (both aquatic and non-aquatic) and animals, such as the rare otter. Vromoimni, Akoli and Savoura Lakes Vromolimni, Akoli and Savoura are the three lakes of Erimitis that constitute an important wetland ecosystem, full of vegetation. The lakes are located very close to the sea, from which they are separated by only a narrow strip of land, and retain all their beauty and natural wealth intact. These three lakes have been included by the environmental organisation WWF Hellas in the list of protected small island wetlands. Small Island of Peristeres and its Lighthouse The small island of Peristeres is located between Corfu and Albania and is the last boundary of the Greek maritime boundary. It divides the northern entrance of the Corfiot Sea into two parts. The western part is followed by ships sailing towards Italy, while the eastern part is followed by ships sailing towards Agioi Saranta. In antiquity it is referred to as Pythia. The locals call it "Tignozo" or "Caparelli". It has rocky ground covered with some bushes and trees. Today it belongs to the municipal unit Kassiopi of the municipality of North Corfu and according to the 2011 census it has 1 permanent resident. Above it there is a lighthouse, which was built in 1826, during the period of the Ionian State, by the British and marks the narrow dangerous passage between Corfu and Albania. This lighthouse was first operated in 1828 with olive oil. It is the only lighthouse of the Greek lighthouse network that had permanent huge containers (pithoi) for water storage. The height of the tower is 9 meters and its focal height is 32 meters. It was incorporated into the Greek lighthouse network in 1863 with the annexation of the Ionian Islands. It is built at a height of 23.5 metres above sea level. In 1887 it was modified to emit white steady light with one red flash per minute at a greater distance. The lighthouse remained switched off during World War II and was reopened in 1945 as an automatic acetylene torch. In 1982 its lighting equipment was replaced and it operated as an automatic solar light with a characteristic red flash every 5 seconds and a 5 nautical mile luminescence.  

From Lakka to Loggos: Lakka - Aronatika - Grammatikaiika - Rantatika - Loggos 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: linear Route’s duration: 2 hours Route’s length: 6,500 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, weather permitting The route The route starts from the settlement of Lakka, from where a beautifully landscaped path begins over the western beaches of the settlement, where the walker enjoys the view of the beautiful homonymous bay. A landslide has occurred at one point and increased caution is required. After about 700 metres the path meets a concrete road, which is followed south going uphill. The road passes through olive groves, in a largely shady environment, dotted with beautiful buildings. We continue along the same road for about two kilometres and after passing Aronatika, we follow the path that continues along a wall of privately owned land (there are signs). From this point we very soon reach the wonderful and unique bay of Ipapanti with its vertical cliffs and caves. The view of the bay, which requires increased attention, is breathtaking. There, apart from the vertical rocks and the bay in the background, we enjoy the endless blue of the Ionian Sea. We then head towards the area of Rantatika and the enchanting and evocative site of the church of Ipapanti through a pretty downhill path. The area is shady and overgrown with olive trees, cypresses and other vegetation. After passing Rantatika, we continue our downhill course through the lush vegetation of the ravine and after passing the stream (which doesn't present any difficulty) we climb up the stone cobbled road towards Loggos, where we meet the main asphalt road. At the junction we see the old English tank of 1862 and continue our slightly downhill course from the main asphalt road which leads us to Loggos. At some point, we take a short detour, taking a shortcut through a path, which takes us back to the central asphalt. Less than a kilometre later, we find Loggos with its beautiful beaches, its welcoming shops and the evocative ruins of the old soap factory. In Paxos there is: Health Centre, Police Station and Citizen Service Centre (KEP). Lakka Lakka is a settlement in the North of Paxos. It is nestled at the bottom of a sheltered bay, popular with boats of all kinds for the safety it offers. It takes its name from its Souliotes inhabitants, who, persecuted by Ali Pasha of Ioannina, fled to Paxos.  In its streets you will find small picturesque stone houses. It is surrounded by green hills and has very nice beaches, such as Monodentri and Harami beach. Near Lakka there are also very interesting sea caves. Among them is the most remarkable cave of Hypapanti. Among the sights of the settlement is the Byzantine church of Ipapanti, which dates back to 1600. The church has an impressive bell tower and a well-crafted iconostasis. Also worth visiting is the stone lighthouse, which was built in 1832, is 36 metres high and rises 108 metres above sea level. Loggos Loggos is a small, but very picturesque settlement of Paxos, nestled in pine trees and olive trees. It is 5 km away from Gaios and has about 200 inhabitants.  From the harbour of Loggos, we can, by renting a small boat, navigate the turquoise beaches of the island and its sea caves. Very close to Longos are the exceptional beaches of Levrechio, Marmari, Kipos and Kipiadis. At the edge of the settlement dominates the old oil and soap factory of Anemogiannis, next to the primary school. It is also worth visiting the church of Zoodochos Pigi, whose existence is mentioned since 1739, in order to admire its hagiographies. Every year in the first days of September, Loggos hosts a particularly interesting classical music festival.  Anemogianni Soap Factory in Loggos On our left hand, as we face the harbour of Loggos, we find an imposing ruined building, which is now being repaired. It is the old soap factory of the brothers Stefanos and Ioannis Anemogiannis. It was first operated at the end of the 19th century as an oilseed processing factory, unique in the Balkans in terms of size and equipment. In 1932, under the leadership of Spyros Anemogiannis, a chemist, the expansion of the factory began, which evolved into a soap factory. In its peak, the factory employed 60-70 workers. In the 1960s, after two fires, the factory began to decline. It was finally closed in the 1980s.

From Gaios to Trypitos: Gaios - Makratika - Velianitakia - Trypitos - Ozias - Gaios 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: 2 hours Route’s length: 6,200 metres Level of difficulty: medium Suggested season: All seasons, weather permitting. In summer, you should avoid midday, as there are no shady places along much of the route. The route The route is not marked and consists of different types of trails (on asphalt, dirt roads, cobbled roads, paths) that make the route very difficult to follow for the average walker and easy to get lost. It is advisable for the hiker to make use of a relevant orientation application on his/her mobile phone (or other similar devices), according to the traces of the route. The route starts from the beach of Gaios and specifically from the Church of Analipsis tou Kyriou and the monument of Anemogiannis. We proceed from the main road (Othonoi Island road) westwards to the area of the flea market and then slightly uphill next to the stream from the asphalt road. Behind the flea market area there is the famous cistern of Agioi Apostoloi which is worth a short detour to visit. After about 840 metres from the start of the route we leave the asphalt road and take the dirt/cement road on our right (it is the one immediately after the rubbish bins). We follow this road, crossing Makratika, until we get back on the asphalt where this time, after passing the ruined houses and the church with the cemetery, we turn west towards Agios Georgios of Velianitatika. From there begins a cobbled path that slowly becomes a classic path that leads us to the cliff of Mousmoulios. Unfortunately, the quality of the cobbled road and the path is very poor, because they have not been maintained and cleaned for some time now and their passage requires increased attention. The view over the cliff of Mousmoulios is breathtaking with the ground cutting vertically beneath our feet and reaching the deep blue clear water. After crossing the cliff of Mousmoulios, paying attention, the trail branches off with another trail that leads to the arch of Trypitos. Occasionally, on the path there are informative signs that make it easier to find our way around. After descending to the arch, we continue along the main path in a northerly direction, uphill at first and then more gently and smoothly, where in about 1,500 metres we reach the settlement of Ozia. From there, the route is downhill on asphalt and then just before the church we have to take the path on our left in the direction of Gaios. This downhill path through olive groves will lead us to the stairs of the settlement, which will take us to the beach and from there to the beginning of our route. It is a route with intense landscape changes, where the landscape of Gaios is interspersed with olive groves, abandoned settlements, beautiful shady cobbled streets, paths with endless views of the Ionian Sea next to large cliffs, places with a particular natural beauty, beautiful olive groves with over-aged olive trees, modern buildings, beautiful stairs and last but not least the touristic, but very beautiful, coastal road of Gaios. The total route takes more than two hours (not counting any stops) and this is because the route consists of paths, cobbled paths, etc. the majority of which are damaged because they have not received any essential maintenance, repair and cleaning for a long time, which slows down the route and requires increased attention. For the same reason, the course is classified as being of moderate difficulty. In Paxos there is: Health Centre, Police Station and Citizen Service Centre (KEP). Paxos Paxos is an island in the Ionian Sea, the smallest of the seven islands. They are located seven (7) nautical miles southeast of Corfu and eight (8) nautical miles west of the coast of Epirus. Southwest of Paxos and a short distance away is the island of Antipaxi. Their population is about 2,390 inhabitants (2011 census) and their area is 30.0 square kilometres. According to the myth, Poseidon, in order to live his love affair with Amphitrite undistracted, separated Paxos from Corfu with the trident. A reference to this myth is the symbol of Paxos, a trident with two dolphins on its right and left. The capital of Paxos is Gaios, a traditional and very picturesque settlement. The other settlements of the island, Loggos, Lakka and Ozias, are also particularly beautiful.  The whole island is covered with olive and pine trees, and has sulphurous thermal springs. The island's beaches are also famous for their turquoise waters, caves and rocks, ideal for diving and exploration. Gaios Gaios (or Gais) is located in the southern part of the island, is the largest settlement of Paxos and its capital. According to tradition, it owes its name to the student of Paul the Apostle, Gaios, who spread Christianity on the island and his grave is located under the old church of the Agioi Apostoloi. It is naturally protected by two islets, Panagia and Agios Nikolaos, which create a narrow sea passage between them. On Agios Nikolaos there is a Venetian fortress, small churches and a windmill, while on the islet of Panagia there is the homonymous monastery.  In Gaios, the churches of Agioi Apostoloi and the Old Christian church of Agia Marina, but also the old British Government House, the tank of Agioi Apostoloi and the Museum of Paxos, are worth visiting. In the port of Gaios, there is a marina, where small fishing boats and tourist boats moor. The tank of Agioi Apostoloi in Gaios It is an ornate, impressive, due to its size and architecture, water tank, which began to be built in 1825 and was completed in 1846. It is located almost in the centre of the settlement of Gaios. It was built by the English during the period of British rule in the Ionian Islands. Since 1982 it has been a protected building of the Ministry of Culture. It has a rectangular shape and a monumental central staircase on the south side. It has not only the main tank, but also a kind of elongated sedimentation tank on the north side. Despite the difficulties in recording its dimensions, it seems that this auxiliary tank is almost 1/3 of the size of the main tank. It collects water not only from the paved drainage surface at its top but also from land in the unfenced area. Three openings in the wall, separating the two tanks, carry overflow water from the auxiliary sedimentation tank to the main tank. Unfortunately, the tank has not been maintained and in combination with the lack of cleaning of the area, an image of abandonment and decay emerges. For Anemogiannis and his monument Giorgos Anemogiannis, whose adriad we meet in Paxos, the place where he was born, but also in Nafpaktos, the place where he was tortured, is a young hero of 1821, who moves us, no matter how many years have passed, with his courage and self-sacrifice. He was born in 1798 in Paxos. The Revolution of 1821 found him as an eighteen-year-old sailor on the merchant ship "The Allies", owned by Bouboulina Laskarina, with N. Orlov as captain. On 10 June 1821 he participated, as a torchbearer, in one of the first naval attacks against an Ottoman target. During the attack he was captured and executed by the Turks, and his body was then hanged in plain view, as an example to other revolutionaries. The Monument of Paxos, found on the coastal road of Gaios, is the work of sculptor Nikolas Pavlopoulos, created in 1966. The Cliff of Mousmoulios It is one of the steepest cliffs of Paxos, on the western side of the island, with an altitude of about 45m, offering an excellent view of the deep blue sea and an amazing sunset. The cliff itself, due to its exceptional relief, is a monument of nature. Arch of Trypitos The arch is one of the main attractions of Paxos. It is a natural rock formation with the appearance of an arch or sometimes a natural bridge, located on the western coast of Paxos. It was formed by the collapse of a sea cave. Its height reaches 20 metres at its highest point. The waters surrounding it are crystal clear and, combined with this unique geological phenomenon, create an unforgettable spectacle. Once there, you can walk over it, as it is a natural bridge, and of course swim in the crystal clear waters of the area.

In Ancient Sami: Sami - Antisamos - Acropolis - Sami 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: 2 hours and 30 minutes Route’s length: 8,000 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, weather conditions permitting. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route The route starts from the centre of Sami where we head along the coast, and after passing the harbour, we follow a north-easterly direction until we meet the asphalt road leading to the popular beach of Antisamos. We continue our slightly uphill path from the main asphalt road with a beautiful view of northern Kefalonia and the strait of Kefalonia - Ithaca, where after a beautiful and relaxing asphalt track of about three kilometers, we arrive at the point where we enjoy an uninterrupted view of the bay and the beach of Antisamos, Psili Rachi and Mytikas. From this point, we descend to the organized and beautiful beach of Antisamos with its clear waters and bars (in summer it is recommended to bring your swimsuit). At the beginning of the beach, where the bus stop is located at the bend in the road, the path starts. Its start is not very distinct due to the various signs that are present. The path is marked with two lines, blue and white, and proceeds easily, first past a wire fence of some property and then uphill, in a shady environment at first, between Skala and Ambelaki, the two hills of the area. As you climb the vegetation becomes lower and lower so that when you reach the top of the junction there are few shadows. At the junction we have two options: a) either to continue on our way to Agios Fanentes, b) or to do this, but after first visiting the site of the acropolis of ancient Sami, located to the west. The acropolis site dominates the hill of Skala, which is practically opposite us. After the acropolis, we head south towards Agios Fanentes and the ruins of the old monastery. Along the way the view towards Sami and the strait of Kefalonia - Ithaca is excellent. From Agios Fanentes the nature of the route changes. The path becomes narrow and downhill and needs attention. The signposting remains the same (blue and white line), while as we descend the environment becomes increasingly overgrown and shady. After a quite steep descent, in about 900 meters we go down about 200 meters of altitude (average gradient 22%), we reach the upper side of Sami, where through Priamos Street, we reach the point from where we started our route. The duration of the march is about two and a half hours, not counting the stops - visits of the various sights of the route (Antisamos, Acropolis of Sami, etc.). As a circular route, it can also be done from the reverse of the proposed direction, which is not recommended, because in this case the initial ascent from Sami to the ruins of the monastery is steeply uphill. In Kefalonia there are Health Centres in Sami and Hospitals in Argostoli and Lixouri. There are also police services in Fiskardo, Sami, Poros, Lixouri and Argostoli. Citizen Service Centres are in Argostoli, Livathou, Poros and in Agia Efthimia. Sami Sami is the largest town in eastern Kefalonia and an important port of the island, as it is the daily connection with Patras, Astakos and Ithaca. It is also a popular tourist destination. According to the 2011 census, it has 1,025 inhabitants  It has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In ancient times it was one of the four largest cities that made up the Kefalonian quadrilateral. Nature has been particularly generous to the area of Sami, as it is surrounded by lush vegetation, underground caves and beautiful lakes. Antisamos  It is the bay next to the port of Sami, to the east. Antisamos is a pebbly beach, long and wide, with waters that look green, reflecting the environment around the bay: green hills and mountains, covered with holly and cypress trees. For this reason, it is also known as the mirror beach. On the opposite side, the blue sea meets the equally green southern part of Ithaca. Antisamos became the setting for some of the most important and impressive scenes of the Hollywood production "Captain Corelli's Mandolin", which was filmed in Kefalonia in the summer of 2000 and was shown in cinemas all over the world, making the area famous.  Acropolis of Sami Perched on Mount Lapitha, the Ancient Acropolis of Sami offers a panoramic view of the homonymous port. With a history dating back to the Palaeolithic period, ancient Sami was a walled city, an autonomous and sovereign state with its own currency. The origins of the city-state can be traced back to the Geometric period. It was a prosperous city, with many inhabitants, due to its developed trade. Its two acropolises, the extensive fortification and the classical city occupy two hills, at the sites of 'Paleokastro' and 'Agii Fanentes', which are located east of the modern settlement of Sami. In 188 BC, after a four-month siege, it was occupied by the Romans and experienced its second period of prosperity. It acquired public buildings, baths and public works, while its private residences are very luxurious with mosaic floors. Its four cemeteries yield rich and impressive finds. Monastery of Agii Fanentes Within the walls of the acropolis of the classical city of Sami, the monastery of Agii Fanentes was built before 1264, when it was first officially mentioned. The name of the monastery, from which the hill it was built on was renamed, Agii Fanentes, seems to have been derived from a corruption of Agii Neophanis, the saints of Sami, Theodore, Gregory and Leo. According to another version , the name of the monastery is related to the 2nd century AD gnostic philosopher Epiphanis, who was venerated as a god in Sami.  Although the ruins date back to the post-Byzantine period, during which it was renovated (1633), built-in architectural elements in the Catholic Church indicate the existence of a church of the Middle Byzantine period. The complex follows the typical Byzantine layout with the cells arranged in a quadrilateral enclosure and the catholic, free inside. The walls and the incorporation of the ancient fortification tower into the building testify to the need to protect the monastery from pirate attacks, which plagued the island during the Frankish and Venetian periods.  The miraculous icon of Agii Fanentes and the icon of the Virgin Mary Glykofilousas, the so-called "Loutrou ", are located in the new Church of the Virgin Mary in Sami. During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) at a central point in Sami (Priamou + Akti Miaouli), b) in Sami (port exit), c) on the road to Antisamos (after Loutro beach), d) on the road to Antisamos (at the viewpoint), e) at the start of the path from Antisamos, f) at the end of the path from Antisamos (where it meets the asphalt road), g) at the parking area of the Monastery of Agii Fanentes in Sami, where the path meets the asphalt road

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Around Lassi: from the city to the Tilegrafos, to the lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi, to the sinkholes and back to the city 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: 2 hours and 20 minutes Route’s length: 7,300 meters Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route: It is an urban course in the city and in the wider area of Argostoli. The march starts from the central square of Argostoli and after crossing the Napier Park, we ascend the hill of Tilegrafos with the panoramic view of the city of Argostoli. The uphill road, which is asphalt at the beginning, passes the borders of the built area of the city and the nature of Tilegrafos, and after following it - making the necessary "hairpin bend" (turn) - we reach the dirt road and the heart of the hill. We continue the gentle ascent through the hill and in a short while we reach the viewpoint, from where we gaze at the bay of Argostoli, with Lixouri in front of us, while at our feet we can see the area of Lassi and Piniatoro. We continue our course through the hill, until we reach the monument to the Fallen Italians of the Acqui Division. From this point, we descend from the asphalt towards the sea, through a beautiful area with houses, gardens and a view of the bay. Reaching the coast we continue north until we reach the iconic lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi. From the lighthouse we head east having the Fanari beach next to it, and after about seven hundred meters, we reach the famous katavothres (sinkholes) and the facilities that surround them. Actually, from the Katavothres our return to the town centre starts, where most of the way to and from the marina is by a beautifully landscaped pedestrian/cycle path. From the cruise ship pier - where the tourist information office is located - we turn off Israel Street leaving the beach. At the Radicals monument, we follow the avenue of the same name, which will take us to the starting point at the main square. The dirt road to Tilegrafos does not present any particular difficulties, so the whole route can be done by car and is therefore suitable for people with disabilities. In Kefalonia there are Health Centres in Sami and Hospitals in Argostoli and Lixouri. There are also police services in Fiskardo, Sami, Poros, Lixouri and Argostoli. Citizen Service Centres are in Argostoli, Livathou, Poros and in Agia Efthimia. Argostoli Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and the largest city of the island, with a population of 9,748 permanent residents, according to the last census (2011). It is built on the hills around the lagoon of Koutavos. The area has been inhabited since 1600. In 1757 the Venetian rulers of Kefalonia decided to move the capital of the island, which until then was the Castle of Agios Georgios, to Argostoli. The town of Argostoli was the scene of some of the most important historical moments of the whole island, such as the burning of the 'Golden Bible', the Libro d'Oro, in the square of Campana, which put an end to the discrimination between the nobility and the people. But also, one of the most important battles between the rebellious Kefalonians and the English garrison, in 1849, was fought on the city's De Bosset stone bridge. The town of Argostoli, before the devastating earthquakes of 1953, had buildings of great architectural value, both public and private, with many Western European influences. Today the heart of the city beats around the central square and between Lithostrotou and Siteboron street, where we will find museums, a library, statues, theatres, neoclassical buildings, but also many shops, cafes and bars.  Napier Gardens Napier Gardens is a park created during the English rule, in the early 19th century, and is located near the central square of Argostoli. It takes its name from its founder, the Governor of Kefalonia, Charles James Napier, who bought a vineyard in the area then called "Koutoupi" and turned it into an elevated park for his children to play in. The park remained in the possession of the Napier family until 1905, when the Municipality of Argostoli managed to acquire it and turn it into a municipal grove of the city and a place of leisure and entertainment, as it remains until today. At that time, the Municipality made many important interventions in the area, such as shaping the ground, planting, placing water pipes, constructing a pavilion, placing seats. Napier Street was also landscaped in the same year. The bust of Napier was created in 1906 by the sculptor Ioannis Kokkinos, when it was placed within the garden. During the German occupation, the garden was severely damaged. This was followed by the earthquakes, the long-term abandonment of the Garden and only under the mayorate of Gerasimos Forte the restoration of the historic Garden was carried out (2003-2004), with funding from the 3rd Community Support Framework. It was beautified with various plants, new benches were installed and in ten places signs with bilingual historical texts and rich photographic material were erected to guide and inform the visitor. Today the garden has regained its former glamour and popularity. Walking along the pebbled paths of the lush park, with its landscaped paths and event areas, the visitor can see the Iroo of Argostoli, the work of the sculptor G. Bonanos, erected in 1927, the bust of the founder of the garden and a kiosk, built today, like the original one.  Tilegrafos The so-called "Tilegrafos" was an optical signal office on the hill of Ai Thanasis, above Argostoli at the site "Koutsomylos". At this point the view is panoramic to the sea. From here, we can see at a distance of several kilometers, if a boat approaches Argostoli. In front of us, we have both the bay of Livadi (Lixouri) and the bay of Argostoli with the port. In "Tilegrafos" there was a huge cross-shaped tower, wooden at the beginning, constructed in 1850, which later became metallic. From this cross, they hung flags that served as a signal to the harbour, according to a system of suspensions they had devised. In this way, the type of ship, its position and where it was going were determined precisely and every half an hour. Of course, the Tilegrafos had its keeper, who was the only person responsible for sending a signal with the flags. During the English rule, he was an English officer of the Argostoli guard. With the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece (1864), Tilegrafos passed into Greek hands and was operated by the military forces that had settled in Argostoli. In 1916-17, during the occupation of the island by the French forces, the "Tilegrafos" was used for the communication of the French ships and was manned by their own personnel. Tilegrafos stopped flying flags in 1940. The permanent end came with the earthquakes of 1953. Although Tilegrafos is a monument to local navigation, today it is completely abandoned. All that remains is the "hole" where the huge metal cross used to be. Monument to the Italian Fallen of the Acqui Division At the top of the hill, in Fanari, on the outskirts of Argostoli, is the Monument to the Fallen Italians. There is a white cross and next to it the inscriptions, which in Greek and Italian remind visitors of the horrors of war and the sacrifice of the Italian soldiers of the Acqui Division. The Monument was built in 1978. It was the Acqui Division, consisting of 12,000 men in total, that occupied Kefalonia in April 1940. Kefalonia, like the rest of the Ionian Islands, became an Italian protectorate. In July 1943, the fascist Italian government of Mussolini fell and a few days later, a regiment of the German army landed in Kefalonia. On September 8, 1943, Italy concluded an armistice with our Anglo-American allies. Immediately, the German administration asked the administration of the Acqui Division to surrender their weapons in the central square of Argostoli, in exchange for the safe return of all Italian soldiers to their country. Negotiations did not lead to an agreement, and so on 15 September the fighting began, during which 1,300 Italian soldiers were killed, mainly by German air force. On 22 September the commander of the Acqui Division asked for the surrender of its soldiers to the Germans. However, thousands of Italians were executed by the Germans in the following days, violating all international treaties concerning prisoners of war. The German administration forbade the burying of Italian soldiers, whose bodies were burned or thrown into the sea. Many Italians were saved, thanks to the help of the Kefalonians, who in many cases paid for their humanitarianism with harsh reprisals. Those Italians who escaped the massacre were forced to cooperate with the Germans, and those who refused were sent to the forced labour camps, where most of them died. When, in September 1944, the Germans were forced to leave Kefalonia, those Italians who had survived were able to return home with their weapons and flags. Every year a ceremony is held at the Memorial of Fallen Italians, attended by representatives of Italy and Greece. The Lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi The lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi is located in the area of Lassi, near Argostoli in Kefalonia. It takes its name from the chapel of Agioi Theodoroi which is located nearby. It is a unique circular structure, based on 20 white Doric columns, while its tower is 8 metres high. The peculiarity of its shape is due to a happy coincidence: there was a windmill in the area. The builders, in an attempt to save materials, constructed a circular staircase in the middle of the tower and a series of columns around it to support the structure, mainly because of the earthquakes that were strong in the area. It was built in 1828 by the English, when Charles Napier was in command. The height of the tower is 8 metres and the focal height is 11 metres. It was destroyed in the 1953 earthquakes and rebuilt in 1964 by Takis Pavlatos, a Kefalonian architect, according to the original 1828 English architectural plan. It was incorporated into the Greek lighthouse network in 1863, with the attachment of the Ionian Islands. In 1995 it was declared a listed building by the Ministry of Culture. It not only provides a directional light for incoming and outgoing ships, but is also a classic, romantic spot for locals and visitors. Katavothres (The sinkholes) One of the most important geological phenomena observed in Kefalonia, the sinkholes, have occupied scientists around the world and have been considered another "mystery" of the island. At the cape of Agioi Theodoroi, next to the lighthouse of Argostoli, we can still see today the point where the sea water flows with momentum into the ground. This is exactly what a "sinkhole" is: a crack in the ground, into which water flows. It seems that the English Stevens was the first to observe and record the phenomenon, and he even decided to use the momentum of the water as it was lost in the sinkholes and built a watermill at this point, which still exists. Katavothres' most interesting thing though, is that water runs below the entire island, from west to east, a distance of about 15 kilometres: In 1963, geologists Viktor Maurin and Josef Zetl from the Technical University of Graz, Austria, poured 160 kilos of dye into one of the Katavothres. Two weeks later traces of this dye appeared in the waters on the other side of the island, in the bay of Sami, in Karavomilos and in the Melissani cave! The majority of the phenomena associated with the groundwater of Kefalonia can be explained, according to geologists, by the position of the island at the junction of the tectonic plates of the 

At menhir of Araklis: Anogi - Kioni The walker’s/tourist'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: linear Route’s duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Route’s length: 5.500m Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it The route This route can be accomplished in two ways: a) by hiking from the beginning of the route (ascent from Kioni) and then returning from Anogi (descent to Kioni), b) transition by car to Anogi and from there downhill to Kioni on foot. Afterwards, the car must be left to Kioni. The route is described from Anogi to Kioni (second option). The route starts on an asphalt road downhill through the village and then we follow signs pointing to the path (or the heliport). There are also the familiar signs for the path (two lanes, one white and one blue). Shortly afterwards we turn right towards the "menhir of Araklis" (there is a relevant sign). After visiting the organized area of the impressive monolith we return to the main route and we head towards the heliport. After bypassing it (actually next to the barbed wire of the heliport) following the relevant signs (apart from the white - blue striping there are black arrows on posts on a yellow background) and the relevant signs and passing a gate for animals (we open it and we close it again), we reach an organized area with benches and a gazebo. From there, the path becomes paved, after recent works. The paving has not been properly maintained and in many places it is deteriorating and, in our opinion, has altered the original character of the path and creates walking difficulties. The trail continues on a smooth downhill through a shady environment (oaks, holm oaks, cedars, etc.), especially relieving in summer. Next to it, there are lush hills while the walker enjoys the view of the Ionian Sea and its islands (Atokos, Arkoudi, etc.) where the sea shimmers through the trees. Along the way, the walker encounters a second gate for animals (he or she should open it and close it again) and at this point they enjoy the view of the magnificent Kioni. Shortly after, at the iconostasis, there is a junction for the church of Agios Nikolaos (in Mochla) which was recently reconstructed. The route continues in the same beautiful environment downhill where at some point the new path meets the old one and the first crops (vineyards) appear. The route continues through a smooth dirt road which, after the relevant gate for animals (we open and close it), crosses the old marked path several times and the walker can choose whichever way they want. At the end of the dirt road, we reach the church of Agios Gerasimos which marks the entrance to the settlement. The junction on the left leads to the main parking area of the settlement, while on our right hand, the route continues through the settlement, well signposted, on asphalt or concrete roads. The route ends with the descent from the stairs and the cobbled path that leads us to the centre of the settlement (the church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos) with its welcoming shops. In case the hiker makes the whole route (Kioni - Anogi - Kioni), they should at least have some water with them because the cafe in Anogi is not always open. The duration of the walk from Anogi to Kioni is one and a half hour. This time must be multiplied (by adding another two hours) should the walker decide to return to the starting point (Anogi). In Ithaca there are: A Medical Centre in Vathi and a Regional Medical office in Stavros, a Police Station in Vathi and a Citizen Service Centre (KEP) also in Vathi. Anogi Anogi is a mountain village of Ithaca, built on the eastern slope of Mount Niritos. Protected from pirates, it occupied an important position on the island during Byzantine times. The village’s church of Kimisis tis Theotokou (the Assumption of the Virgin Mary), dates back to the 12th century, with hagiographies by Byzantine artists and its imposing Venetian bell tower. Some of the houses in Anogi are buildings of past centuries and retain the traditional architecture: they are stone-built, tall, with narrow doorways and small balconies. It is worth participating and having fun in one of the best festivals of Ithaca on the eve of the feast of Panagia, on August 14th. Near the village is the historic monastery of Panagia Katharae, the patron saint of Ithaca. Menhir of Araclis In the area of the settlement of Anogi there are scattered huge boulders called menhir ("long stone" from the Breton men = stone and hir = long). They are one of the attractions of the island, and their origin is purely geological and not man-made. Residents have given names to the boulders based on their shape. Thus, the largest and most important boulder has been called "Araklis" (a corruption of "Hercules") because of the great power of the ancient hero. It is spindle-shaped, superimposed on a wider rock, which forms his pedestal, and it has a height of 9 m. In the area, a total of about twelve smaller monoliths of various shapes and sizes have been counted. Atokos Atokos is a rocky island of 4.5 square kilometres which is part of the Echinaean Islands complex and belongs administratively to Ithaca. It is an island with one large sand and pebble beach and three smaller ones, all with crystal clear, blue or green waters. It is a popular island for boats since it is protected from the northwest winds. Atokos, with its impressive rocky shoreline, is an ideal destination for snorkeling and fishing. It is part of the Natura 2000 network, having a rich flora and fauna. The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is often seen in the marine area, while seals monachus monachus find shelter in the caves along the coastline, such as in Fokospilia. Wild goats, wild rabbits and black pigs can be found on the island. The island's avifauna is also important, since the Black Vulture, the Spotted Eagle and the Vasilhaeus Eagle live there. Kioni Kioni is one of the most beautiful settlements of Ithaca. It was built in the 16th century by the inhabitants of the surrounding mountainous areas, who wanted to be close to the sea. Entering the beautiful cove of Koinos, the visitor sees the preserved traditional settlement, perched amphitheatrically on a green slope that meets the sea, which from May to October is flooded by small and large boats. If the visitor arrives by road from the capital of the island, Vathi, after 24 kilometres they will see Rachi at the entrance of the village. At the top of Rachi, there is the church of Evangelistria, built at the end of the last century with an interesting iconostasis. On the left, there is the small cove of Mavrounas, a small shelter for small fishing boats. In this area, the monastery of Agios Nikolaos used to operate in the century before last, while today there is only the small church, in the sanctuary of which an ancient colonnade is preserved. It is also worthy to walk on the road to "Argalion" and to the area of Lontza. There, you will find the ruins of the house of the hero of '21, Karaiskakis, and the pebble beaches with green waters Katsikouli, Sarakinari, Plakoutses and Filiatro, where you can enjoy swimming. A trademark of Kioni are the three traditional windmills at the entrance of its sheltered harbor. The settlement celebrates Ai Lia’s day (St. Ilia’s day) on July 20. In the morning, small fishing boats take the residents to the small chapel, located just outside the harbor, while in the evening a festival is held on the beach, where the fun and dancing lasts until the morning hours. During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) start of the route (at the site of the church of Kimisis tis Theotokou (Assumption of the Virgin Mary), b) at the site of the monolith "the menhir of Araklis", c) at the kiosk next to the Heliport, d) at the gate for animals on the path, e) at the pavilion on the road, f) at the paddock of Agios Gerasimos, g) at the end of the route (at the steps in Kioni).