Route: Old Perithia Trail
Area: North East Corfu
Date of walk: 22nd June 2017
Walkers: Andrew, Gilly and James
Distance: 6.4 miles
Ascent: 300 feet
Weather: Sunny and very hot
There’s something satisfying about a linear walk and even more so – as in today’s case – when it starts high up in the hills at an ancient semi-abandoned village and ends by the sea on a pristine beach. Our family group had rented 2 cars for our break in Corfu and thanks to Jody for enabling us to leave one car at our destination and then driving us to the start of the walk in the other car
After being dropped off at the start point we wandered around the atmospheric village of Old Perithia, now a heritage site. The village dates back hundreds of years and was once used as a refuge from pirate attacks. The inhabitants all left in the 1960’s but there is now a small population and there are some tavernas and accommodation
After leaving this fascinating place we set off along a dusty track lined with wildflowers. Progress was slow as we tried to photograph some of the hundreds of butterflies that were fluttering around. Although it was hazy, there were some wonderful views ahead looking out to sea and to the coast of Albania in the distance
The journey was downhill all the way, and the descent was always at a gentle gradient. Much of the time we were walking in woodland and the dappled shade gave us relief from the boiling hot sun overhead. Navigation was fairly straightforward, though the path is only intermittently waymarked and we had doubts on a couple of occasions when parts of the path seemed to have been abandoned and were being taken over by undergrowth
Eventually we arrived at our destination – Almiros beach, a glorious long white expanse of sand. The nearby Taverna George, which specialises in fresh fish, tempted us in for lunch – a fantastic end to a fantastic walk
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Ruined buildings at the start of the walk from Old Perithia
The village, dating back to the 1300s, was once one of the wealthiest on the island
We wander round the atmospheric ruins for a while
The local taverna
The route we follow was once the only access to the settlement
We head downhill along the track
Hundreds of butterflies added interest to the journey. Here are just 3 of the many species we saw - a marbled white...
A large white
Wall brown
Grasshoppers...
Mount Pantokrator, the highest point on the island at around 3,000 feet, and which James cycled up 3 times during this holiday
Further along the track
Hazy views of the sea and the Albanian mountains beyond
Some welcome shade from the intense heat as we walk through woodland
An old olive grove
Netting used to catch the olives
The small village of Krinias
We pass through the village
Cypress trees on the hillside
Near Portes, the last section of the track before we cross the main road to head to Almiros beach
The final short road section to the beach
Our car is parked opposite the taverna, which we'll visit at the end of the walk
Birds on a wire
Giant agave and old hut
The end of the journey - Almiros beach
A well earned pint at George Taverna
