Tour of Koutavos: The Koutavos Lagoon in Argostoli 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 a half Route’s length: 4,900 meters Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, weather permitting. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route: It is a relaxing flat trail around the artificial lake of Koutavos. The course begins at the start of the De Bosset Bridge in the town of Argostoli, which we cross, enjoying the lake on one side and the bay of Argostoli on the other. By the time we reach the opposite side, we head southeast along the Argostoli - Sami highway, which requires increased attention due to the traffic. After the bridge and in less than 300 meters, we reach an organized viewing area overlooking the whole peninsula and the town of Argostoli. We continue our southeastern course along the national road paying close attention and after passing the degraded area of warehouses and other facilities (really, why are they there?) we enter the eucalyptus forest and the landscape changes, highlighting the environmental value of the lake and the area. In the eucalyptus forest there are organized paths that lead us directly to the organized and beautifully landscaped coastal pedestrian - bicycle path of the city. On our way, we observe the lake environment with its water birds and special flora. Gradually, the pedestrian path leads us to the urban environment of the city and our starting point. Except for the part of the walk that takes place on the national road and requires increased caution, the rest of the route is completely easy-going and relaxing, combining the urban environment of the city with the special landscape of the lake. The duration of the march is estimated at one and a half hours, due to the increased caution required when marching on the asphalt road, which is assumed to have increased traffic. As a circular route it can also be done from the reverse direction. 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. Artificial Lake Koutavos  Koutavos (Italian: Cutavo) or Argostoli Lagoon, is a lagoon in Kefalonia, located southeast of the mouth of the bay of Argostoli. It has an ellipsoid shape with a maximum length of about 6.5 km and a minimum of 1.1 km, and an extent of 1300 acres. Its depth is very shallow, up to one fathom (about 1.8 m). Its calm waters reflect the opposite hill. It takes its name from the ancient word 'kottavos', which means 'basin'. It is one of the most important wetlands of Kefalonia. Black grouses, ducks, swans, gulls and many species of fish live here. In earlier years it was a swamp, dangerous for public health because of the malaria, carried by the numerous mosquitoes. It essentially changed its form in 1813 with the construction of the bridge that bounded it, separating the Koutavos lagoon from the bay. The bridge is 1 km long and was built by the English during the British occupation. The De Bosset Bridge, or Devosetou Bridge, was named after its builder, the Swiss engineer Charles De Bosset, an officer of the British army and commander of Kefalonia. It is the largest stone bridge over the sea in the world. In 1813, a four-sided obelisk made of carved stones was also built, rising from the sea. It is called the "Kolona", it was built in honour of the bridge's creators and it still exists today. The bridge has been a pedestrian walkway since July 2005, following a decision by the Ministry of Culture. Argostoli Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and the largest city of the island, with a population of 9,748 permanent residents, according to the last census (2011). It is built on the hills around the lagoon of Koutavos. The area has been inhabited since 1600. In 1757 the Venetian rulers of Kefalonia decided to move the capital of the island, which until then was the Castle of Agios Georgios, to Argostoli. The town of Argostoli was the scene of some of the most important historical moments of the whole island, such as the burning of the 'Golden Bible', the Libro d'Oro, in the square of Campana, which put an end to the discrimination between the nobility and the people. But also, one of the most important battles between the rebellious Kefalonians and the English garrison, in 1849, was fought on the city's De Bosset stone bridge. The town of Argostoli, before the devastating earthquakes of 1953, had buildings of great architectural value, both public and private, with many Western European influences. Today the heart of the city beats around the central square and between Lithostrotos and Siteboron street, where we will find museums, a library, statues, theatres, neoclassical buildings, but also many shops, cafes and bars. During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: (a) at the start of the route at the beginning of the De Bosset bridge (on the town side); (b) at the end of the De Bosset bridge (opposite the town); (c) at the viewpoint next to the asphalt road; (d) on the asphalt road before the facilities; (e) at the eastern start of the path (in the woodland); (f) on the landscaped path at the height of the football pitch.