At the monastery of Ayios Andreas: Volimes - Monastery of Ayios Andreas - Volimes 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 starting and the ending point are the same) Route’s duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes Route’s length: 4.300 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, weather permitting. In summer, you should avoid the midday hours because there are not shady places after a certain point (at least half of the route). The route The route starts from the church of Ayios Spyridon in Volimes and after a short downhill (about 400 meters) on asphalt we turn west on the dirt road. In fact, this dirt road leads us to the old monastery, if we follow it carefully, because the route is not signposted and some attention is required at junctions, although it is easy to pick the route since the dirt road clearly "dominates". The route is downhill and in some places it becomes steeply downhill. The total route up to the ruins of the old monastery is more than 4,200 metres and passes through a green area that is trying to recover from recent fires. The landscape in some places, fortunately a small part of the route, is defined by the burnt carcasses of pine and other trees, but for most of the route's length passes through fresh young pine forest, particularly dense. So dense, in fact, that it has taken over the old path, and following it, it is particularly difficult and not recommended. The ruins of the monastery are imposing in a particularly peaceful landscape with an excellent view of the Ionian Sea. The walker can also enjoy the traces of the old frescoes of the church (those that have been removed), which now has no roof anymore. As a linear route, the return is by the same road, doubling the total time of the walk, which is now uphill. It should be noted that vehicle access to the monastery is particularly difficult due to waterlogging on the road and it is not recommended. On the island of Zakynthos there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south) of Alykes, Zakynthos Town, Machairado and Pantokratoras. Police Station in Katastari and General Police Directorate in Zakynthos Town. A number of private clinics, medical centres and pharmacies, while public health structures are located in Zakynthos Town, General Hospital, and Health Centre in Kallithea. Volimes Perched on the northern slopes of Mount Vrachionas, at an altitude of 430 meters and 31 kilometers from the town of Zakynthos, is the settlement of Volimes. It is mentioned in documents and contracts of the 15th and 16th centuries under the name 'Chorion of Volimas'. They also identify their three individual settlements as Kato, Messino and Apanou Chorio.  Around 750 inhabitants live here, who, apart from tourism, are engaged in the production of local wine, honey, Zakynthian oil cheese and the manufacture of handmade lace and kilims. At Volimes we will also find interesting pre-earthquake houses, churches and bell towers, as well as what remains of the beautiful seven windmills that used to adorn the village. But also the restored windmill of Fragogianni, built between 1836 and 1839 by Maltese craftsmen. It is built on a plateau, at an altitude of 460 m., between the settlements of Ano and Meso Volimas and has a beautiful view of the Ionian Sea and Kefalonia. In the Messianic village we will find the churches of Ayia Paraskevi and Ayios Theodosios and in the lower village, Ayios Spyridon. Monastery of Ayios Andreas The monastery of Ayios Andreas is located in Mesovouni of Volima, in a rugged but beautiful location. It is estimated to have been built in the mid-15th century, first of all on the larger of the two Diaporian islands that were formerly connected to the mainland. In 1595, because of the fear of pirates, the monastery in Mesovouni was built by John Theodosius and his grandsons, who transferred the icons to the more recent church. In 1890, the Monastery of Ayios Andreas was united with the Monastery of Ayios Georgios of Kremnon and became its metochion. In 1953 it was demolished by the earthquakes, but its great frescoes were transferred to the Post-Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos, where we can visit and enjoy them today. Today the Monastery is in a dilapidated condition and unfortunately it has been looted, although efforts are being undertaken to restore it. During the route the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: α) near the church of Ayios Spyridon b) at the beginning of the dirt road, c) after the first crossroads, d) after the second crossroads, e) approximately in the middle of the dirt road (at the foot of the path), f) at the beginning of the long downhill (where the concrete pavement begins), g) at the entrance to the ruins of the old monastery of Ayios Andreas.

The coastal zone starting from the middle of the Kefallinia - Ithaca channel and extending to the SW of Kefallinia (Cape Gero Gompos) and the N. Ithaca (Cape Drakou Pidima) is an important area for the Mediterranean Monk Seal, several ceatacean species and the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). The zone extends from the 200-isobath to a narrow terrestrial band of 50m width. The site comprises extended Posidonia beds (Posidonion oceanicae) in very good conservation status, large shallow inlets and bays, marine caves and sea cliffs. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

Small stream of continuous flow which is the only known area of distribution of rare Valencia letourneuxi in Corfu. Other regions, known from previous research, seem degraded and species was not found there in recent surveys (Kalogianni et al. 2006, Koutsikos et al. 2012). In this stream the endemic Directive Aphanius fasciatus and Pelasgus thesproticus is also found. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

From Agioi Deka to the top: Agioi Deka - Monastery of Pantokratoras     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 of the route coincide) Route’s duration: 45 minutes Route’s length: 1.900 metres Level of difficulty: medium Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it     The route: The route starts from the statue of Gerasimos Zochios, ascending many stairs to the west, through the beautiful houses of the settlement. After passing the church of Agioi Deka, we continue uphill and after a while we come across a modern well-maintained paved road that leads us to a parking area of the settlement. Those walkers who want to avoid climbing the steps can start the route from this point. From the parking area we take the path which at the beginning is very steep and rough and needs some attention. Then we meet a concrete road, from where we continue uphill and after about 100 metres we meet the path again. The path continues uphill, but more gently this time, where somewhere in the middle of the path, which is left, there is an organized rest area (bench with a table), in the trees. The trail offers great views of northern Corfu, through the dense vegetation, and is very well marked (perhaps a bit too much) with yellow and white lines as well as signs. The route ends at the monastery of Pantokratoras, where, apart from the church and the other well-preserved buildings, there is an organised rest area with tables and benches. The return is by the same path, unless someone has planned to have a car waiting for them in the area of the monastery (the road to the monastery from the settlement requires attention because it is narrow, but easy, without being difficult. Also as a linear route, if not done back and forth, it can be done in the opposite direction, from the monastery to the settlement.   On the island of Corfu there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ypsos, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town, Achilleion, Moraitika, Argyrades and Lefkimmi. Police stations in the settlements (from north to south): Karousades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town and Lefkimmi. Numerous private medical offices, medical centres and pharmacies, while public health structures exist (from north to south), Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, Acharavi Regional Medical Centre, Agios Athanasios Health Centre, Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town, Lefkimmi Health Centre.   Monastery of Pantokratoras The Monastery of Pantokratoras is built at an altitude of 580 m, on the slope of Mount Agioi Deka or Galisio Mount, as it was formerly called. It is located 3 km west of the village of Agioi Deka in Corfu. Since 1545 it has been mentioned as Pantokratoras or the temple of the 'Great Pantokrator in the Galisio Mountain of the Ascension'. In the area of the now abandoned monastery, the church of Pantokratoras and the chapel of Profitis Ilias to the west of the church can be seen. The church is rectangular, one-roomed, with a sloping roof and a wide, arched entrance. On the Sunday of Mirofores, a resurrection litany is held, which ends at the church of Pantokratoras. Agioi Deka Agioi Deka is located on the eastern side of the homonymous mountain, in central Corfu, 11 km from Corfu Town. They have 374 inhabitants (2011 census).  It is a beautiful Corfiot settlement with many traditional houses, two and three-storey, without balconies, but with external staircases, which you can find going up the cobbled streets of the village. We will also come across several churches: the church of Panagia Odigitria, the main church of the village, the church of Agioi Deka (probably the first of the village, of Cretan origin) of Agios Spyridon, Agios Dimitrios, Agios Iakovos and Agios Stylianos. The history of the village of Agioi Deka is directly linked to Crete. When the Arabs occupied Crete in the 9th century, many of the island's inhabitants fled and emigrated to various regions of Greece. They also arrived in Corfu, bringing with them the icon of the Ten Saints, who were martyred in Crete during the period of persecution by the Roman Emperor Decius. They settled in this place and built the settlement. Agioi Deka is also mentioned in written sources of 1503. The inhabitants are called Agiokadites, from an abbreviation of Agiodekadites. In 1877, the poet and writer Oscar Wilde, travelling to Corfu, climbed the mountain and dedicated his poem of the same name to the enchanting region: “The Gods are dead: no longer do we bring to grey-eyed Pallas crowns of olive-leaves! Demeter’s child no more hath tithe of sheaves……»  

The site includes Laganas Bay and the islets of Marathonisi and Pelouzo on the south coasts of Zakynthos Island. The inner shallow part of the bay (15 m max) is covered by sandy substrate (16% of the area). Posidonia meadows cover a considerable proportion of the middle part of the bay, developed at a depth range of 10 to 40 m (27% of the area). Rocky reefs cover only 9% of the area, and are mainly located around the islets of Marathonisi and Pelouzo and the eastern and southern limits of the Bay. The outer limits of the Bay reach a maximum depth of 110m (approximately).The coastal zone of Laganas presents high biological significance because of the occurrence of highly important habitats like sandy beaches with psammophytic plant associations, rocky coasts, coastal lakes, river outlets, etc. In these biotopes characteristic and sometimes unique plant and animal associations grow. In the beach of Marathonisi lowland sand-dunes exist which in some areas present extensions to the inland up to 50m. Beyond the beach, dense Mediterranean vegetation occurs (macquis vegetation). The coastal zone of Laganas is extended for some kilometres inland and 10-15 kilometres in the sea and it is considered as a site with high biological importance exactly because of the presence of biotopes as sandy beaches, sea cliffs, coastal lakes, tidal rivers, etc. The area of this site became well known for two main reasons: 1) the sandy beaches of the sites are considered the main egg-laying sites of the Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) in Greece, and maybe the Mediterranean as a whole, and 2) the contradictions between the ecologists who suggest the protection of the area and a proportion of the local population which support tourist development of the area, by hotel building, etc. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

At the observatory: Matthaios - Pantokrator     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: 1 hour and 50 minutes Route’s length: 6.200 m Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it     The route The start, and therefore the end of the route, is indicative since there are other paths and roads that connect the route to the monastery with the settlement. However, this particular route is suggested because the settlement has limited parking space which is getting worse during the summer months and therefore walkers who arrive at Matthaios with their own vehicle should enter the centre of the settlement. This particular route starts outside the settlement, for the reasons mentioned above, on the dirt road leading to the monastery. At the first big turn ("fourketa"), the marked path starts in a northerly direction. The trail is uphill in a lush and shady environment with a smooth ascent. After a while and to the right, a more difficult and steeper trail begins and ends at the same point but higher. The choice is up to the walker. The two trails are marked with red and blue signs. After the "junction" of the two paths to the east there is an excellent viewpoint towards the Ionian Sea and the Monastery is quite close from this point. After visiting the Monastery of Pantokrator (if the site is open) we make a western detour of the complex along the wall and we come across two wonderful viewpoints: one looking west and the Ionian Sea and shortly afterwards and the other one, looking east and overlooking the settlement, northern Corfu and the coasts of Epirus and Albania. The trail continues downhill in a shady, overgrown environment and in some places it becomes steep and requires increased attention. At this part of the route there is a junction where another path leads to Prasoudi beach. After about 600 meters of descent we meet the dirt road (leading to the monastery) and continue downhill to the starting point of the route. Alternatively, about fifty meters after we met the dirt road, a steep path starts on our right, leading us a little lower towards the settlement (not suggested). After the end of the path it is worth a visit to the Byzantine castle and the Paleolithic cave at Gardiki   On the island of Corfu there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ypsos, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town, Achilleion, Moraitika, Argyrades and Lefkimmi. Police stations in the settlements (from north to south): Karousades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town and Lefkimmi. Numerous private medical offices, medical centres and pharmacies, while public health structures exist (from north to south): Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, Acharavi Regiona Medical Centre, Agios Athanasios Health Centre, Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town, Lefkimi Health Centre.   Agios Matthaios In the fertile plain near the castle of Gardiki, there used to be the village of Zygonos, which was destroyed by Hayreddin Barbarossa. Then the crops were gutted, the population of the countryside was wiped out and about 20,000 Corfiots were sold as slaves. Agios Matthaios was built in the 16th century after this invasion. It is a traditional settlement located about 25 km from Corfu town and has 1,088 inhabitants (2011 census). The settlement is built amphitheatrically and the view of the green countryside is fantastic. Here you will also see the cave that, according to the island's inhabitants, is connected to the sea, the Hole of Pelau. Its homonymous beach is awarded with the blue flag and is very popular. The deserted beach of Halikounas is also located near the village. The area is also ideal for excursions, such as a visit to the octagonal castle of Gardiki, which dates back to the era of the Epirus Despotate (13th century) and in which or to the monastery of Christ Pantokrator, there are remains of ancient temples. Monastery of Pantokrator Near the settlement of Agios Matthaios, in the area of Mesi, is the Monastery of Christ Pantokrator. The ruined monastery, built on the slope of Mount Agios Matthaios, probably dates back to the beginning of the 14th century. In the area there are several abandoned buildings and the church of Pantokrator, as well. The church is of royal type, with arched doors and windows, and a sloping roof. It is celebrated on 6th August. The Castle of Gardiki It is located near the village of Agios Matthaios, 23 km from Corfu Town It is a 13th century Byzantine castle and the only medieval fortress that survives in the southern part of the island. It is most likely to have been built during the period of the Despotate of Epirus by the ruler of the Despotate Michael I Angelos Komninos. Its purpose was to protect the border from pirates, but also from the brief raids of the Italian states. Some historians date it to the 11th century, after the fortification of the western border during the Byzantine Empire. It has an octagonal shape with eight rectangular towers in a radial arrangement, the most important of which is the southern tower. Paleolithic cave in Gardiki The Paleolithic cave in Gardiki is located in an olive grove at an altitude of 60 meters and it is located very close to the Byzantine fortification of Gardiki and Prasoudi beach. It is a horizontal cave with two entrances and a length of about 20 meters. Near the southeastern entrance there are large rocks, indicating cave's larger size in the past. It is 13 meters high and has a rocky roof that has succumbed to gradual erosion and massive rainfall, causing water to drip in some places. It was a base for hunters and gatherers and it is considered as one of the most important prehistoric sites in Greece. The first excavations began in 1965 by Professor Augustus Sordinas. Evidence of human presence was discovered, dating back to the Palaeolithic Age (20,000 BC). The excavations revealed flint tools, animal bones and stones with ochre residue. During the Palaeolithic period the sea level was much lower and Corfu was not an island but connected to mainland Greece. The separation from Epirus occurred during the Neolithic period, around 10,000 BC, when the sea level rose as the ice melted. Inside the cave you can see the geological situation of the past. The cave is accessible but unsuitable for people with disabilities due to the climbing needed.  

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.

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.

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