In the waterfalls of the Nymphs: Nymphs - Waterfalls of Nymphs   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 (there is the linear option too) Route’s duration: 2 hours Route’s length: 5.800m Level of difficulty: difficult (the linear option is easy) Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. At the circular route, the walker must avoid the winter season.   The route The route starts from the central square of the settlement of Nymphs and we follow the direction to the settlement of Episkepsi. After passing the stadium and after a two (2) kilometers walk we reach the waterfall. From the asphalt road, a well-maintained path leads us to the root of the waterfall in a particularly delightful landscape. The hiker returns via the same road. From the settlement of Nymphs to the start of the path down to the waterfall, the route can also be done by car. However, walkers with good physical condition and special experience can continue along the road towards Episkepsi and after one thousand five hundred meters (1,500) they can turn west towards the dirt road where they will follow a steep downhill road, through olive groves, to the ravine. At a certain point the dirt road ceases to exist and the trail is particularly difficult to follow. This part of the route is actually done via an ungraved and unmarked path which requires experience of orientation and skills (this part of the route does not exceed 400 metres). This is to complete the route in a circular route (and obviously there is always the option of a linear route as mentioned initially). After about four hundred (400) meters of wandering in the ravine and olive groves (in a north -northwest direction) we meet a dirt road that we follow in a west-southwest direction which leads us to the main road near the stadium. The total length of this route is nearly six (6) kilometers.   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 practices, 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, Lefkimi Health Centre.   Nymphs The fairies gave their name to this settlement, after decorating it with fairytale beauty and choosing it to inhabit! It is located in the northern part of Corfu at an altitude of 200 meters in the western district of the municipality of Thinalio and has 635 inhabitants. It is built on the side of a small valley, through which the waters of the source of the Nymphs flow. It is surrounded by tall cypresses and olive groves, oaks and holly trees. The route to Askitario, which is located just outside the settlement, is unique. Legend has it that an ascetic, Father Artemio Parisios, came to Nymphs in the 5th century AD, was fascinated by the forest and dug the cave with his own hands so that he could calm down and pray. A little above the ascetarium is the first Agricultural School of Corfu built in 1932 and on the ground floor is the old olive press. The walker is accompanied by the chirping of birds and the sound of waterfalls. A big amount of water was necessary in order for the twenty-one water mills of the area to operate! Today the ruins of some of them still remain near the settlement. It is believed that the area was inhabited since antiquity. In official documents it appears for the first time in 1347, as Nifes, in the founding document of the temple of Pantokrator. The Venetians, because of the important position of Nymphs, had set up a command post there, to supervise and protect the wider area. The architecture of the settlement bears witness to its history. The famous kumquat, brought by the English agronomist Merlin in 1924, thrives in the area. The Cooperative's factory is also located here. On the premises you can learn all about the production of the sweet and liqueur and of course taste and buy this traditional product. Every year, on the Sunday of Tyrofagos, in the church of Agios Konstantinos, a particularly interesting ceremony is held, the "Dance of the Priests" (O Horos ton Papadon). During the performance of the event, the senior priest drags a slow dance, followed by other priests and laity. He is the first to sing each verse of the chant, which is repeated by the others in the chorus. This event is observed with some minor variations in the villages of Episkepsi and Klimatia. As to its origin, some scholars claim that it dates back to pre-Christian times. Nymphs Waterfall The waterfalls of Nymphs are not the only ones in Corfu. There are others too, but these are the most impressive. Rushing waters fall from a height of about ten metres into a green gorge. This is where legend has it that nymphs bathe. A short distance away are two smaller waterfalls that usually don't even run dry during the summer.