The Greek island of Corfu has been called a piece of Tuscany in the Ionian Sea. Millions of weather-gnarled olive trees planted centuries ago, their silver-grey foliage interspersed with dark cypresses, and the extraordinary richness in wild flowers, give the island the air of a vast botanical garden.

With a coastline of more than 300km and mountains rising to 1,000 metres, rolling hillsides with extensive olive groves, vineyards and breathtaking panoramas, the real Corfu is predestined by nature to be discovered on foot and is a real must for walkers and trekkers.

More than a hundred friendly villages, abandoned manor houses and monasteries wait to be visited and rediscovered. Tourism is mainly restricted to the coastal areas; behind the coastal belt time stands still, and bucolic landscapes welcome the pedestrian visitor. It took members of the Corfu Trail Trust years of voluntary work to create this unique trail that introduces visitors to the island's finest locations.

The trail mostly uses age-old tracks, mule paths and dirt roads, avoiding tarred highways as much as possible. It is well way marked and can be followed in either direction. It is advised to walk the trail from south to north. Firstly, because the landscape in the southern section of the island is gentle compared with the mountainous north and so the hiker, day by day, will walk himself into fitness, and secondly, because the scenic highlights and most interesting sites lie in the centre and north, so that each day on the trail surpasses the previous one!

Picturesque Villages

Potamos – Perivoli – Vouniatades – Stavros - Agii Deka – Kamara – Sinarades – Pelekas – Liapades –Lakones – Krini – Pagi – Valanio – Sokraki – Spartillas – Kaminaki - Kentroma

Way marks

The Corfu Trail is way marked in strategic locations with yellow signs, bearing the letters CT and a directional arrow. Between signs, small yellow paint marks and arrows confirm that you are following the course of the trail. These have been kept to a minimum to avoid interference with the appearance of the natural environment. The Corfu Trail Foundation (a non-profit organisation) asks all users of the trail (any distance or number of days) for a contribution of 3 euros, which will be used for maintenance and new infrastructure. The name Corfu Trail and the Corfu Trail sign(s) are registered and protected property ™ of the Corfu Trail Trust.

Guide books - maps

"The Companion Guide to the Corfu Trail" written by Hilary Paipeti, the trail's originator, was published by Pedestrian Publications and contains detailed route notes and original maps. A new hiker's map of Corfu is being prepared and will be available soon. A variety of road maps and guide books on Corfu are available at bookstores, such as ''Corfu car tours and walks'' written by Noel Rochford and published by Sunflower books.

Do you wish nore information? visit the web site: www.corfutrail.org