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).