What Makes Corfu Brilliant For Walking Holidays?
Are you looking for a fantastic destination for walking holidays? Corfu is just the ticket, with its mixture of culture, history, beautiful scenery and plenty of sunshine. This Greek island is part of the Ionian archipelago and is renowned for its diverse nature. Not quite convinced yet? Well, here are a few things that might just sway you.
The Weather
While most walkers don’t mind the odd shower, constant rain can make hiking uncomfortable and less enjoyable. Extreme hot and cold also aren’t desirable if you’re planning a trekking break, so selecting a destination with good weather is more important than you may at first think.
It’s sometimes hard to find the right balance though, as you don’t want it to be too hot, but Corfu is perfect, especially in the spring or autumn when it’s not too warm (expect average temperatures in the low to mid-20s) in the daytime. There’s generally not much rain, but it’s most likely to hit between November and March, so avoid those months if you’d rather not get soaked by a shower.
Dedicated Hiking Routes
The Corfu Trail, which you can visit with Explore from £481 without flights, is one of the top reasons to go walking on the isle. This 220 km route was set up in 2001 and will take you the entire length of the island, if you want to go from beginning to end.
Like many long-distance paths, you can pick up sections of the walk depending on where you’re staying and how much time you have, so make sure you look into which part of the track you’ll be within easy reach of on your trip.
One of the best things about the Corfu Trail is that it doesn’t just follow the island’s coast. There are sections that give you amazing views from the cliff tops, but there’s equally beautiful scenery in the centre of the island that very few visitors explore, so you’ll really feel like you’re getting off the beaten track.
Olive groves, verdant valleys, ancient ruins, deep gorges, quaint villages, picture-perfect beaches – you name it and this route will take you there one way or another. Some sections are much more strenuous than others – for instance, it takes you to the top of Corfu’s second-highest mountain Agii Deka and along some very steep paths. Don’t be put off, though, it’s all part of the adventure! You’ll not only be rewarded with wonderful views when you reach high points like this, but you can also enjoy the feeling of seclusion and peace you’ll get so far away from the tourist crowds.
Historical Sites
While the Corfu Trail will certainly allow you to experience the island’s many landscapes, it will also show you some of its heritage. If you decide to tackle the full route, you will pass many historical sites along the way, including the ruins of the Taxiarchis Chapel with its fresco-covered walls and the deserted village of Old Perithia, which you will find perched high up in the mountains.
Once you reach Liapades, you may want to rest for a day and even take a detour to visit the nearby Paleokastritsa Monastery, which was established in the 13th century, although many of the buildings here today are more modern, dating from the 18th century. Visitors are welcome at the monastery, which is home to some amazing Byzantine artefacts displayed in a small onsite museum.
Those are just some of the reasons why Corfu is a great place for walking, but are there any others you can think of?