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 

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.

At Potistis Waterfalls: Gradou Gorge - Potistis Waterfalls 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 (the beginning and the end are the same) Route’s duration: 20 minutes (one way) Route’s length: 750 meters (one way) Level of difficulty: medium Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route The trail starts from the unique beach of Limenia, where there is a relative plateau where we can leave the car. This point is easily identified because the asphalt is practically at sea level, but there is no information sign confirming the start of the trail. The trail is not marked but there is no difficulty in following it, as it is easily discernible. The trail begins gently beside the creek where it is eventually encountered and must be crossed. Depending on the season, the creek has from no water to a lot of water, so the difficulty of crossing it is corresponding. Afterwards, the trail becomes slightly uphill being next to the creek and requires extra caution. As we approach the waterfall, which is on our left hand going uphill, the view becomes more and more beautiful, either towards the mountains that surround the gorge, or behind us towards the Ionian Sea. The waterfall looks imposing at twenty metres high and, when there is water, it is a beautiful sight to see. It should be mentioned that it usually has water from mid-autumn onwards, depending on the weather, and until the beginning of spring. We visited it in late May and it was completely dry. However, we were more than rewarded by the many beautiful butterflies that kept us company the whole way. Towards the end of the trail, and if we want to descend to the roots of the waterfall, the trail becomes sharply downhill and even more attention is required. The area is lush but in several places the vegetation is low and therefore the trail does not pass through shady places, which is a discouragement to do the hike at midday in summer. The return is by the same road (trail). It is obligatory to return from where we started, because there are no other alternatives. 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. Limenia Beach After passing the port of Poros and taking the road to Skala, we will find a series of beaches, ideal for those who want peace, quiet and isolation. They are Limenia, which you will find on the left side of the road (going towards Skala). A quiet corner always awaits us there, even on August. The typical rocks that are located a few meters from the coast and that often host seagulls, give the landscape a special charm. Gradous Gorge  The "Gradous Gorge", a gorge with many waterfalls, lakes and plenty of water from December to May, is hidden in the area between Skala and Poros. The waters come from the areas of Asprogeraka and Anninata. In the gorge there are waterfalls, reaching a height of up to twenty metres, lakes with a diameter of ten metres and a depth of up to four metres. Here, the landscape reminds you of parts of central or northern Greece and not so much of an island.  In season with abundant water, you can swim. Potistis Watefalls This is the largest and most impressive waterfall found in the Gradous Gorge. In the past, due to water's presence, there used to be gardens with fruit trees at the springs and prehistoric settlements along the river. The crystal clear waters falling from a great height and the picturesque pond that is formed in front of the base of the waterfall, create an impressive heavenly environment. During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) at the beginning of the trail, b) at the point where the trail meets the creek, c) at the waterfall area.

On the western beaches: Avali - Gaidaros - Kathisma 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: 40 minutes (one way) Route’s length: 2,300 metres (one way) Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, weather permitting. In summer, you should avoid the midday hours because there are no shady places on a large part of the route. The route A pleasant and easy route to the western and beautiful beaches of Lefkada. The route starts from Kalamitsi Beach (Avali). Τo get there, we have driven down the narrow, and not in very good condition and very downhill, asphalt road from the settlement of Kalamitsi. The flat route is initially on an asphalt road, which is also not in good condition but does not affect the walker, and then becomes a dirt road. From Avali we head north, always having the sea to the west (on our left). The landscape is beautiful and special, having to the east the steep slopes of the western mountains of Lefkada and to the west the beaches with the deep blue waters and the scattered rocks that make them unique. There are no shady places on the route. After Avali we find ourselves at the beach of Theotokos (Gaidaros). On this part of the route (Avali - Gaidaros) there are several canteens, which operate during the summer months, offering refreshment and coolness to the walker. In the evening hours the route offers excellent views of the sunset. Towards the end of the route and just before the famous Kathisma beach, the dirt road becomes a slightly downhill path leading to the south side of the beach. We continue along the beach until we meet the coastal asphalt road and the end of our course. Kathisma beach is an organized beach with various shops, mainly catering, and other facilities (umbrellas, etc.) that are also open during the summer months. The return is by the same route unless the walker has arranged for a vehicle to wait for him at Kathisma beach. On the island of Lefkada there are: Citizen Service Centres in the town of Lefkada, in Nydri and in Vasiliki. Police Headquarters in the town of Lefkada and a Police Station in Vlyho. In addition to private health structures there are: Hospital in Lefkada Town, Health Centre in Vasiliki and Regional Medical Centre in Syvros. Kalamitsi Kalamitsi is a settlement in Lefkada, with about 200 inhabitants. It is one of the oldest settlements of the island, built on the slope of the Rachi mountain range, hidden from the sea in fear of pirates. It is located 23 km southeast of the town of Lefkada.  In Kalamitsi we will find 13 windmills that stand there and remind us of the time when the area produced grain. Kalamitsi is also famous for its weavings. The view from the settlement is enchanting and the nearby beaches are beautiful. Theotokos Beach (Gaidaros) The Theotokou beach or Gaidaros is located below the settlement of Kalamitsi. The road leading there is quite narrow and has many bends. In fact, the beach is very close to Kathisma, but you can only get there by walking along the coast. The beach has sand and scattered rocks, while there are several stones in the deep blue waters and there are often waves. From the canteens in the area we can enjoy wonderful sunsets. Also here we can enjoy the flying of gliders, which use the beach for landing. Kathisma Beach Kathisma beach is one of the most famous and popular beaches of Lefkada. It is located 15 km from the town, in western Lefkada. It is a huge sandy beach with white sand and turquoise waters. Kathisma beach is fully organized, with a large parking lot, beach bar, umbrellas and of course a lot of people. However, its size also gives the opportunity for those who prefer quietness to have their space at the edges of the beach. The beach is surrounded by impressive cliffs. Here, paragliding enthusiasts can enjoy incredible views by flying over the beach with its cliffs and turquoise waters. 

The tour of the Lighthouses: Fiskardo - Kavos Fournia - Fiskardo 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: mixed Route’s duration: 40 minutes Route’s length: 2,600 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it. The route It is a short pleasant walk, where, from the settlement of Fiskardo we go to the cape of Fournias and back again. The route starts from the main parking area of the settlement and after descending the long and beautiful stairs we find ourselves at the seafront of the settlement with its traditional houses, stores, restaurants and harbour. We head north, where the path starts at the end of the landscaped coastal zone of the settlement. The path is marked and with information signs at the start. It is a gentle circular path, shaded, through pine trees for most of its length, and its passage is a pleasant walk for all. Along the way you will find the impressive ruins of an early Christian church, a lighthouse from 1892 which is, among other things, a remarkable architectural monument and the beautifully maintained and preserved Venetian lighthouse of the 16th century. During the route, we enjoy the beautiful view of the sparkling and clear sea (in summer we should bring our swimsuit), with Ithaca in the background, while the settlement of Fiskardo lies at our feet. By the time we complete the circular path, we return to the original parking area by the same route. A walk to the settlement is considered a must. 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. Fiskardo At the closest point of Kefalonia - Ithaca, in northern Kefalonia, 50 km from Argostoli, is the seaside settlement of Fiskardo. It took its name from the Norman conqueror Robert Guiscard, who in 1085 besieged and conquered the area. Most of the houses in Fiskardo were built during the 18th century and still retain the architectural character of the period, as they were not seriously damaged by the devastating earthquake of 1953. Walking along its streets, we see two-storey houses with red roofs and narrow balconies, painted in bright colours, which together with the green nature and the deep blue sea create a unique landscape.  Fiskardo has been classified as a traditional settlement and is also the birthplace of the poet Nikos Kavvadias. According to the 2011 census it has a population of 189 inhabitants. It is a very popular tourist destination. Its port connects Kefalonia with Ithaca and Lefkada, with frequent itineraries, especially during the summer months. Cavos Fournia The route of the cave of Fournia circularly connects the monuments of the cave, which are the Venetian Lighthouse, the Modern Lighthouse and the Old Christian Basilica.  The entire peninsula has been designated an archaeological site. On its surface, findings from the Palaeolithic period have been found. The limestone rocks of the area contain pyrite, a material very useful to the Palaeolithic man, with which he made his tools and weapons. Outside the path, there are ruins of windmills, farms and terraces. Ruins of an early Christian temple  On the route of Kavos of Fournia, we find the ruins of an Early Christian basilica, built between the 6th and 8th century. The church is one of the oldest known Christian buildings of the Ionian Islands and the largest three-aisled wooden-roofed basilica of the Ionian Sea.  The lighthouses of Fiskardo: Venetian Lighthouse, Lighthouse of 1892 At the edge of the settlement of Fiskardo, in close distance to each other, are the two stone lighthouses, witnesses of the importance of the small port throughout its history. The older one, the Venetian, was built by the Venetians. It was conquered by the Venetians in the 16th century. Since 1867 it has been operated using an illuminating catadioptric machine. Even today, it is still preserved in a fairly good condition. Its cylindrical tower is impressive. Next to it, it is located the lighthouse keeper's house. Both buildings were surrounded by a stone wall, which served as a fence and reached a height of two meters. From the point of the lighthouse, one can admire a completely different view of Fiskardo and its picturesque harbour.  The second, the newer lighthouse of Fiskardo, is also built on the same spot. It was built in 1892 and, in fact, replaced the old one. The height of its tower is more than 14 metres, while its focal height is estimated to be 27 metres. The original building was severely damaged during the 1953 earthquakes, and was almost completely reconstructed.

From Eros to Drastis: Channel of Eros - Cape Drastis     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 (can be done also as mixed) Route’s duration: 1 hour and twenty minutes (one way) Route’s length: 4,400 (one way) Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it. In summer, you should avoid midday hours.     The route: This is a route that essentially consists of three sections: a) the (short) route within the core of the settlement of Sidari, from the Eros Canal along the coast and up to the tarmac road, b) a circular route in the hills of the area, and c) a linear route up to Cape Drastis. The walker can do each section separately or as a whole. The main body of the route is the linear route from Eros Canal to Cape Drastis. The first part of the route starts from a parking area near the Eros Canal and the walker, after visiting it, walks around the tourist facilities of the area along the beach and then ends on the main road (asphalt). It is a route with no hills, the majority of which is on a paved path. Then it follows the asphalt road to the west to start the second part of the route. The second part of the route starts on a dirt road that from a certain point onwards is marked with red signs. The route, for a large part of it, is uphill (up to the telecommunication antennas) but not very difficult. This uphill route will reward the visitor with an excellent view of the Ionian Sea, the Diapontic Islands and the Cape of Drastis. At this point the walker has two options, either to continue towards the cape or to return to the starting point through the olive groves and dense vegetation by a particularly beautiful downhill route. The route to the cape from the antennas is a slightly downhill route from a clearly identifiable dirt road that offers excellent views. The return is by the same route, unless the walker has arranged for transport to be waiting for them in the small car park at the cape. Note: Google maps users will get the information that this route can be done by car, which is not true, because the heavy winter rains have significantly damaged the dirt road and made it inaccessible by cars (at least not those without special 4x4 specifications).   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 clinics, medical centres and pharmacies, while public health structures exist, too (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.   Canal d' amour (Canal of Love) Definitely, the most famous beach of Corfu and one of the most beautiful in the world is the Canal of Love or Canal d'amour. It is located between the villages of Sidari and Peroulades, on the northern coast of the island at a distance of about 32 km from Corfu Town. It is a natural sculpture created on sandstone rocks by the erosive effect of the wind and waves. Blue-green waters, small beaches and many caves form an impressive fjord, which changes from year to year as nature never stops sculpting the rocks. Legend has it that whoever swims through the narrow passage of the cave and comes out on the other side of the sea will meet the love of his life. Every summer thousands of tourists visit the small beach, its caves and coves to find love and to benefit from the beneficial properties of the clay that the sea and its unique rocks provide. Cape Drastis After the village of Peroulades, a few kilometers after the busy and touristic Sidari, at the northernmost point of the island, hidden in a beautiful forested landscape, there is a pristine, imposing and at the same time enchanting landscape, Cape Drastis. Its impressive formations, with deep bays, caves, islets and crystal clear waters will show you what the Canal d'amour would have looked like before it was altered by human exploitation. The Dragon can be accessed either by foot or by sea, and this has protected it from human interference, preserving all its natural and virgin beauty.   During the route the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) start of the route at the parking area at the Eros Canal, b) at the Eros Canal (on the paved road), c) where the dirt road starts from the asphalt road, d) at the junction of the dirt road in the direction of the march, e) at the viewpoint of the Cape of Drastis, (f) at the junction of the dirt road in the direction of the route, (g) at the small parking area at Cape Drastis, (g) at the viewpoint of Drastis (end of the route at the Cape), (h) at the junction of the dirt road in the direction of the alternative circular route.

The Cypress Path: Fiskardo - Palaio Foki - Tselentata - Katsarata - Spiliovouno - Fiskardo 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: 1 hour and 40 minutes Route’s length: 5,000 metres Level of difficulty: medium Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it  The route The route starts from the central parking area of the settlement of Fiskardo. Southwest of the parking area and next to the water reservoirs, a dirt road starts in a southern direction, which we follow. At the beginning of the dirt road there are information signs. After about 550 meters the dirt road becomes a path which, until we meet the asphalt road at Foki beach, needs attention, because it is not well marked, in some places it is rough and at the time we crossed it there were many fallen trees that made it difficult to cross. Then, for about 300 metres we follow the asphalt road in a southerly direction, a gentle uphill route until we meet the path on our right which is marked with a wooden sign pointing to "Tselentata". From this point, the trail, through an uphill path, in a lush and shady environment, leads us to the settlement of Tselentata. Its beginning is defined by a gate, which we cross and then obviously have to close it again. We climb through the settlement of Tselentata, with its beautiful houses and alleys, until we reach the next asphalt road, where the path to Katsarata starts almost in front of us. The path continues its uphill progress through a strange natural lush landscape where natural stone slabs form the base of the path. In about 500 meters we reach the lower part of the village Katsarata where we continue along some fence walls. Here, crossing the path, it requires a little more caution. The path is followed by an asphalt path, first in a westerly direction and then northwards towards the cave. At the end of the settlement the asphalt becomes a dirt road through the beautiful and unique landscape of the cave mountain. We continue on the dirt road up until its end (for about 1000 meters), where the route goes downhill through a forest path. At some point, descending we meet a junction on our left, towards the caves that gave their name to the mountain (there are signs). A visit to the caves is rewarding, as the scenery is unique and evocative. The caves are no more than a 100m detour from our main route. After the caves the route becomes more and more downhill, where after 500 metres we reach the starting point of our course and the settlement of Fiskardo. A walk to the settlement is considered mandatory. 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. Fiskardo At the closest point of Kefalonia and Ithaca, in northern Kefalonia, 50 km from Argostoli, is the seaside settlement of Fiskardo. It took its name from the Norman conqueror Roberto Guiscardo, who in 1085 besieged and conquered the area. Most of the houses in Fiskardo were built during the 18th century and still maintain the architectural character of the era, as they were not seriously damaged by the devastating earthquake of 1953. Walking along its streets, we see two-storey houses with red roofs and narrow balconies, painted in bright colours, which together with the lush nature and the deep blue sea create a unique landscape.  Fiskardo has been classified as a traditional settlement and is also the birthplace of the poet Nikos Kavvadias. According to the 2011 census it has a population of 189 inhabitants. It is a very popular tourist destination. Its port connects Kefalonia with Ithaca and Lefkada, with frequent itineraries, especially during the summer months. The Foki beach Foki beach, one of the most beautiful beaches of Erissos, is located at a very short distance from Fiskardo of Kefalonia, so that we can reach it even by walking. It is a creek overgrown with cypresses and olive trees that we meet on the way to Tselentata. Its shadows, the shallow sea with its turquoise waters, the pebbles, the windlessness of the place where it is located, all this creates an extremely attractive beach. On the right side of the bay, there is a path leading to successive flat rocks, an ideal spot for diving and sunbathing. At the exit of the bay, there is also a cave which can be reached by swimming. Foki is named after the Monachus-Monachus seals, which often visit it.  Tselentata Tselentata, is a picturesque settlement in the province of Erissos in Kefalonia. It is located just two kilometers from the cosmopolitan Fiskardo. It is built on a green hillside, among cypress trees. Tselentata is one of the few settlements of Kefalonia that were not flattened by the 1953 earthquakes. Thus, we have the opportunity to admire some examples of the architecture of pre-earthquake Kefalonia: Two-storey houses, with narrow balconies, triangular roofs and also narrow, wooden doors and windows, in various colours. Many also dilapidated houses have been repaired with respect to tradition. Tselentata also offers a magnificent view to the sea channel between Kefalonia and Ithaca, but also to the whole northern side of the neighbouring island. Katsarata Katsarata is the next settlement we meet, after Tselentata. It is also a picturesque little village near Fiskardo of Kefalonia, built at an altitude of 200 meters from the sea surface. According to the 2011 census, it has 20 inhabitants. It has a spectacular view of the sea, a unique sunset, the coast of Ithaca and Lefkada, and the countless small islands in between. Spiliovouno Spiliovouno is located in the province of Erissos in the northern part of Kefalonia. It is a verdant hill in the southwest of the present settlement of Fiskardo. At its top, there is an old stone windmill. In Spiliovouno there is part of a cyclopean wall built in historical times for defensive reasons. A little further on, a 'secret' junction leads to a large cave of archaeological interest, where in earlier times the inhabitants used to corral sheep and milk them, then carry the milk for quite a distance to the village.  In 1913 and 1915, the Archaeological Society investigated two buildings at Spiliovouno. The first one could be related to a sanctuary of Nymphs that was probably located in the area of the cave, the second one was a burial building of Roman times.

The path of the springs: From the square to Daphne and Adelikos 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: 1 hour and a half Route’s length: 4,200 meters Level of difficulty: medium Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. In summer, you should avoid the midday hours because in some parts of the route there are no shady places. The route This is a trail in lush nature with many springs, streams and waters. The route starts from the central square (Memorial and the bust of Panagoulis), in front of the Primary School of the settlement of Syvros. We descend west on the Provincial Road Vasiliki - Marantochori through the houses of the beautiful settlement. Opposite the junction, towards the stadium (and the Karoucha cave, whose surroundings are unfortunately in a poor state), there is a well-maintained path leading to the spring of Daphne. After visiting the lush, beautiful and cool landscape of the spring we return back to the road where we continue our downhill route. After about 630 meters on our left, a concrete path begins (there is also an iconostasis), which leads us to the fountain and the waterfall of Adelikos. It is a beautiful place in lush vegetation with lots of water. We continue downhill from the path and very soon we meet the country road again, which we follow for another 200 meters or so, where after the bridge we turn east on the concrete path. The concrete pavement is not in good condition but this does not cause any problems for the walker. This path is uphill and passes through a lush environment next to which water flows from a beautiful stream. Although it is uphill, the route is not tiring because the cool shade of the trees and the beautiful surroundings ease any fatigue. The ascent from this lane takes about 1,400 metres, where we meet the provincial road again, but from the other (eastern) side of the settlement. We continue along the country road (slightly uphill at the beginning and then flat) for about a kilometre where we reach our starting point. As a circular route it can also be done from the reverse route, but this is not recommended, as the uphill return route has far fewer shady places than the proposed one. On the island of Lefkada there are: Citizen Service Centres in the town of Lefkada, in Nydri and in Vasiliki. Police Headquarters in the town of Lefkada and a Police Station in Vlyho. In addition to private health structures there are: Hospital in Lefkada Town, Health Centre in Vasiliki and Regional Medical Centre in Syvros. Syvros Syvros is a mountainous settlement in the southern part of the island of Lefkada, at a distance of about 15 km from Nidri and about 8 km from Vasiliki. It is a traditional settlement, which, as shown by archaeological findings, has been inhabited since Homeric times. At the limits of the settlement, stone vaulted graves with grave goods and a plinth of a helmet were found. The name of the settlement itself is a composition of the words 'sy+ vros', which are found in the Homeric dialect and denote the area where pigs are reared. Today it is also called the village of waters, because of the springs, the waterfalls and the old watermills of the area. The olive tree is an important element of the prosperity of Syvros, which is why the private Fabbrica Olive Museum operates in a preserved building that used to house an old olive press. In the village square there is a bust of Alexandros Panagoulis and a monument to fallen Syvriotes. Daphne Springs Daphne, along with Kerasia and Kalyvas, is one of the three main sources of Syvros, which has numerous neighborhoods developed around each spring: The upper neighborhood in Kerasia, the back neighborhood in Kalyvas and the lower neighborhood in Daphne. Each spring provided the inhabitants of its neighborhood with drinking water to meet all their needs. In the area of the spring there were specially designed areas for washing clothes. In the summer, the water from the springs was diverted by small ditches, initially made of soil and later of cement, which were used to operate a total of twenty-two water mills and one water mill, which existed until the 1960s. The water from the springs was also used to irrigate the cultivated fields. The route to the Daphne springs is enchanting and covered with flowers, bushes and trees. Cyclamen in autumn, but also schina, birch, myrtle, laurel and plane trees dominate the path. The running waters with their sights and sounds offer peace and euphoria. Waterfall and fountain of Antelikos Moving towards the fountain of Antelikos, we will meet the homonymous waterfall. Its waters fall from a low height, but the view, in the lush nature, is impressive. There were 24 watermills in the area, so we will find their ruins. The place name Antelikos indicates the historicity of the area, since it comes from the ancient Greek language. Anti+ elix.

From the beach to the lake: Kavos - Panagia Monastery - Moschopoulos Lake - Kavos 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: 6,400 m Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it The route: The route starts from the outskirts of the settlement from a three-way road on the way to Spartera. The route is heading south on the asphalt road which we leave at the first crossroads (about 100 meters later) and head south towards the road, which becomes dirt on the way. The road is driveable but with many problems and is not recommended for public vehicles especially after the junction for the beach of Arkoudila. We continue eastwards, where after crossing a plateau we head towards the ruins of the monastery. The route is smooth, with adequate shade and very beautiful views of southern Corfu and the Ionian Sea, up to the imposing ruins of the Monastery of Panagia. From this point the road becomes a gentle downhill path through lush and completely shaded surroundings. The smooth downhill continues until the trail crosses the side stream, the crossing of which is not a difficult task because it is quite narrow and without much water. From the creek onwards the trail becomes uphill and in the last small part (before the road) it becomes very steep and requires increased attention. After the junction with the road, which leads to the beach, the path continues gently uphill without any problem until the top of the hills that offer excellent views of South Corfu and the Ionian Sea. From here, a smooth downhill path begins until the artificial lake of Moschopoulos. Once we approach the lake it is recommended to follow the southern route over the lake as it offers excellent views towards it. From the lake and beyond, a dirt road, which later becomes asphalt, the road leads to the starting point of the trail. 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 clinics, medical centres and pharmacies, as well as public health structures (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. Arkoudilas Arkoudilas is a forest area of southern Corfu. It is located above Cape Asprokavos or Cavo Bianco. The name Arkoudilas was probably taken from the bear tree that abounded in the area and not from bears, which are unlikely to have been present in the area. Another version tells us that the name probably came from a corruption of the word Akrodilon, which was the name of Cape Asprokavos in ancient times. The forest of Arkoudila occupies an area of about 250 acres with very rich vegetation (cypresses, skinnias, arbutus, etc.). During the Venetian occupation it was given to the Quartano family by the Venetian Senate as a tithe. Monastery of Panagia The Monastery of Panagia Arkoudila is built in the forest and on the top of the hill. The monastery includes the katholikon, built in 1700, according to the carved coat of arms on the bell tower. The bell tower of the church is baroque style and follows the type of Corfiot church architecture. On the right side of the bell tower there is a wall (Mantra) and on the left side there is a kind of fortification (battlements). Then as an extension of the enclosure there is a two-storey turreted building called DURIS, probably from the English TOR, which means tower. It is located in such a position that it served as a fortress and protected the area from raids by pirates and other invaders. The upper part of the DURI was, as is evident from its construction, the living quarters of the owners or monks, and had a fireplace. The ascent and descent was made by a stone staircase, and there was a wooden catapult protecting it. The ground floor was used as a food store. On the eastern side of the tower, on the upper floor and next to the fireplace, there was a secret tunnel with steps leading to the beach under the hill, apparently for the evacuation and rescue of the monastery's inhabitants in case of danger. On the north-western side there was a two-storey building with a two-sided staircase construction (Botso), which was the main entrance. The building was used for the accommodation of pilgrims on the day of the celebration of the 15th of August (Assumption of the Virgin Mary), which was celebrated by the monastery, and as the owners' residence. On the north side of the church there is an old stone well. The Monastery of Arkoudila today is ruined and abandoned. Kavos Kavos is a seaside settlement at the outermost point of Corfu, in Lefkimmi, at a distance of about 45km from the town. It was the cavo bianco of the Venetian period, literally the white cape. Off its beach, between Corfu and the mainland coast, the famous naval battle between the Corinthians and Athenians in the Peloponnesian War took place. Kavos is today a tourist destination. Some years ago there were only a few houses among olive trees, few inhabitants and nothing else. Today it is one of the most touristic places in Corfu. It is distinguished for its intense nightlife and as a popular destination. It has an equipped beach with shallow clear waters. From Kavos one can make daily excursions to Sivota of Thesprotia, Paxos or even Parga. The beach of Arkoudila stretches just below, with access from a dirt road in the Kavos area, while we can also go from its western side to the spot where the locals call it Mikronisi. They are essentially two beaches joined together where they are separated by only a small rock with an arch in the middle. The landscape is magnificent, there are wonderful geological formations of clay deposits, wildly eaten by the elements landscape with precipitated slopes, bushes on the edge of the hill but also a great biodiversity, from ants, butterflies, turtles, scorpions, snakes, insects, as well as turtles Caretta - Caretta.