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.