Lake Korissia: Halikounas - Lake Korissia - Issos Beach - Agios Georgios (south     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 and 40 minutes Route’s length: 8.600 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. Avoid midday in the summer because there are no shady places along a big part of the route.     The route: The route starts from Halikouna, at the beginning of the lake, where we arrive by vehicle. The route is on a sandy road, which in summer, especially, has a tense traffic problem. We proceed between the lake and the sea, in low vegetation, where the lake generously offers us a beautiful scenery. After a 3,200 metres walk, we reach Tagio and the area of the Intermunicipal Company. The route to this point can also be done by car. After visiting the outlet of the canal into the sea, we continue our eastern path through lush surroundings for around 1,000 metres. Along the way, the path passes through the dunes (sand dunes) of Issos beach until we reach the parking area. We cross the parking area and we follow a steady coastal path towards Agios Georgios, reaching the settlement and the end of the trail. As a linear route, it can be done from both sides (either from Halikouna or from Agios Georgios) or even return to the starting point. Suggested season: all seasons weather permitting. Walkers who prefer quiet should avoid the summer months. Also those who prefer summer, should avoid midday hours as there are no shady places along a large part of the route.   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 can be found (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.   Lake Korissia The Korissia Lagoon or Korissia is located in southern Corfu and its western shores. It has been declared a Landscape of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it s included in the Natura 2000 network. It is Corfu's largest lagoon and its most important wetland. A narrow strip of land separates Lake Korissia from the Ionian Sea, creating two stunning sandy beaches, Halikouna and Issos. It covers an area of about 6,000 hectares and because it is connected to the sea, its water is salty. The waters of the lake are always calm, regardless of the sea, which is only a few metres away. More than 120 species of birds, including cormorants, warblers, whistling ducks, silverbirds, flamingos, ducks and thousands of butterflies find refuge here. All the species of herons living in Greece are found here. The fauna of Lake Korissia is complemented by a variety of amphibians (newts, balkan frogs, etc.) and a rich reptile fauna (loggerhead turtles, loggerhead turtles, pond snails, etc.). Mammals such as stone turtles and weasels are also part of the fauna. But the flora of the area is also very rich: rushes and tamarisk, white lilies and 14 different species of orchids on the sand. Here we will also find the beautiful cedar forest of Lake Korissia, right between the beaches of Halikouna and Issos, perched on the sand dunes, which are more than 15 metres high. In the lake's Tagio are the fishing facilities where some fishermen live, who with their "korito", the characteristic boats, catch small shrimps that are abundant and many fish, including some species that are only found here, such as the Zabarola and the endangered Zournas. Cedar Forest In the southern part of Halikouna beach is the point where Lake Korissia joins the sea through a narrow water channel (Tagio). A wooden bridge will lead us into the beautiful cedar forest, which has grown on the sandy beaches of Halikouna and Issos. It is the only cedar forest on the island and consists of sea cedar, a type of cedar that grows in the northern Mediterranean on coastal sandy areas. Walking through the forest, you can also observe the many spiders hanging on the branches of the trees and the webs they have created.     Dunes of Issos More than 120,000 years have passed since the sea and the winds started to create the rocky dunes (sand dunes) in the south and southwest of the wetland of Korissia. Their height exceeds 15 metres, creating a landscape of unique beauty. The northern side of the dunes is covered by a forest of sea cedar, while in the middle there is a mixed forest of bush honeysuckle, holly, skinnies, daisies, myrtles, laurels and other species.     During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) at the beginning of the route at Halikouna, b) at the beginning of the lake, c) halfway to Tagio, d) at Tagio, e) at the parking area of Issos beach, d) at Agios Georgios (at the beginning of the path).

This wetland situated on the northern coast of the island of Kerkyra (Corfu) is important for the threatened species Lutra lutra as well as for the ecological balance in the area. In addition, the site is characterized by a variety of habitats, and human activities have not yet exerted much influence upon it. This is of great importance for an island like Kerkyra which shows great tourist development and great pressure due to building construction. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

This area lying on the SW coast of the island of Kerkyra (Corfu), is of great importance not only as a wetland but also because of the biological and aesthetic value of the sandy beaches close to the lagoon. At the southern sandy beach, the presence on the island of the unique Juniperus stands and the petrified sand-dunes create an area of great aesthetic value. The site consists of: the Korission Lake (the largest lake in Kerkyra), and the surrounding lake and seashores which are charcterized by varied and important Mediterranean vegetation types. Among them are: 1) The cruceanelletum maritimae which has the eastern limits of its distribution range here in the Korission area. This area is also the single locality in Greece from where Crucianella maritima has been reported, and 2) The Juniperous phoencea stands growing on the southern sandy beaches of the area which seem to be the unique remnants of such a forest in the islands of Corfu. The site is also characterized by the petrified sand-dunes which create an area of great aesthetic value. The most important part of the site is that separating the sea from Korission Lake (between Garziki Point and the beginning of Agios Georgios beach). This is a complex, interesting and almost unaltered ecosystem, one of the few remaining natural ecosystems in Corfu which has not been greatly changed by tourist development. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

undefined

Kefalonia is the biggest island in the Ionian region and Mt. Ainos is the highest Ionian mountain with an altitude exceeding 1,600 m. It is a well known mountain, not only due to its altitude but also due to the presence of the famous Abies cephalonica forest which is the main element of the vegetation cover in the highest altitude of this mountain. Abies cephalonica is a Greek endemic species and Mt. Ainos is its "locus classicus". The area of this site consists of three main habitats as follows: a) The Abies forest, very often at moderate altitudes mixed with species of macchie vegetation; b) the rocky slopes which are characterized by looser vegetation but with only a few very important species, and c) the rocky summit and unforested area which houses most of the endemic species of the Kefalonian and Ionian flora. The area of the site has been characterized as a National Park. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

Three main Ionian islands, Lefkada, Ithaki and Kefalonia and the continental Greece (Sterea Ellada) delimit geographically from West, North and East the site, including the coasts of islands and islets such as Arkoudi, Meganisi, Kithros, Skorpios, Skorpidi, Sparti, Madouri, Formikoula, Atokos, Kalamos, Kastos and Vromonas. The geomorphology of these islands coasts create various habitats for the marine and also terrestrial flora and fauna. In the sheltered waters of the archipelago, important marine predator species being on the top of the food chain are resident or common, indicating the biological richness of the area.

From the Monastery to the Lighthouse: Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Niras - Lighthouse 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: 4,700 meters Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, weather permitting. In summer, avoid the midday hours, because there are no shady places along the whole section of the route. The route It is a gentle downhill - largely asphalted - route in a beautiful landscape. The route starts from the parking area of the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Iras. After visiting the monastery, where, apart from the church and other buildings, there are the unique stone beehives of the 17th century. From this point, we head west to the junction with the Provincial Road Komili - Akrotiri where we continue west. The route passes through a unique landscape of low vegetation, where to the west are the evocative rocky vertical coasts with an unobstructed view of the blue Ionian Sea, while to the west the bay of Vasiliki unfolds. In the background (south) are scattered the figures of the islands of Kefalonia, Ithaca, Atokos, Arkoudi, etc. Descending through this landscape, where apart from the lighthouse and the monastery there are no other buildings, we wonder what prompted Sappho to make her leap to this place. When we reach the viewpoint - where special attention is needed because of the steep vertical shores and loose ground - the awe that the landscape inspires in us interprets the myth. From the viewpoint, we continue on to the lighthouse that stands tall and dominates the landscape. From the lighthouse parking lot, an uphill and somewhat rough path, about 300 meters, leads us to the lighthouse site. The view from the balcony of the lighthouse is excellent towards the Ionian Sea and the rocky shores of the cape. The lighthouse marks the end of our course. The return is by the same route in the opposite direction (slightly uphill), unless the walker has arranged for a vehicle to wait for him at the lighthouse. It should be noted that there are no shady places on the route and therefore the walker must have made provision for appropriate equipment and certainly avoid doing the route at midday in summer. The route can also be done by car and is therefore suitable for disabled people, except for the last 300 metres from the car park to the lighthouse. This fact, however, does not pose an issue, because the walker has already enjoyed the endless view of the Ionian Sea and has seen the amazing steep and rocky coastline with the lighthouse. 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. Monastery of Agios Nikolaos of Ira  The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos of Ira is located in southern Lefkada, quite close to Cape Lefkata. The name "Ira" (in the peninsula of "Iera Nira" or "Nira", as the locals usually call it), probably has a connection with the Sanctuary of Apollo of Lefkatas located on the cape. The construction of the Monastery is linked to the transfer of the relic of Agios Nikolaos by Crusaders. The transfer took place from Myra in Asia Minor to Bari in Italy and in 1087 the relic of the Saint passed through the area where the monastery is now located. It is said that the monastery was built there shortly afterwards, and it is reported that it was renovated in the 17th century. The monastery celebrates every year on the 10th of May to commemorate the transfer of the relic from there. In the monastery there is a remarkable iconostasis, a work of 1799, by Andreas Betzos, as well as the icon of Agios Nikolaos, a work of 1699, by Dimitrios Foskaris. In the monastery there is an old threshing floor and stone beehives for bees, as the area is well known for its thyme honey. Due to the remote location of the monastery, it is said that it was also used in the past as a place of exile for clergymen. The monastery can be visited daily during the following hours: October - April, 9:50 - 13:30 and 16:00 until sunset, May - September, 9:30 until sunset. Cape Lefkatas (or Dukaton) Lefkatas is the southernmost cape of the island of Lefkada. It is an imposing landscape of white rocks that fall steeply into the Ionian Sea and fill you with awe. At the same time it is an ancient sacred place, which is followed by mystery, myths and traditions. The original name of the cape was Lefkas. Homer mentions in the Odyssey (ω 11) the famous 'Lefkas Petri'. This is the name of the town which the Corinthians founded at the northern end of the island in the second quarter of the 7th century BC and then the whole island. From the adjective Lefkas was formed the adjective Lefkatis and in Doric Lefkatas (= the lord, or the owner of Lefkada Petris or Akras). The same name was given to Apollo, because of his sanctuary, which was located there. Few remnants of it can be seen today scattered around the lighthouse building. The sanctuary was known throughout the ancient world. Every year there were festivals of Panhellenic character, probably in early spring. In Mycenaean times it is said that they made sacrifices to appease the gods and the Spirit of Tempest. Later, they replaced the victims with convicts, but they gave them a chance of salvation. Before they were thrown into the rock, they tied birds and feathers around their bodies for a smoother landing. If the convict escaped, he was spared his life. In the 6th century BC there was a tradition that the incurably in love and frustrated jumped from the cape. It is mentioned in the verses of many ancient poets and was probably mentioned by Sappho, the great poet of antiquity. From there came the tradition that from this cape she fell into the sea and met her own death, despairing of her unfortunate love for Phaon. That is why the cape is also called "Kavos tis Kyras" (Cape of the Lady). The Lighthouse "Dukato" The lighthouse is built on the site where the temple of Apollo Lefkata used to be. It started to operate in 1890 with oil. During the 2nd World War it remained switched off and operated again in 1945, again with oil. In 1950 it was destroyed by an earthquake and operated temporarily as an automatic acetylene torch until 1956, when it was repaired. In 1986 the oil machinery was replaced and it began to run on electricity.

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.  

undefined