Читать книгу Walking and Trekking on Corfu. The Corfu Trail and 22 outstanding day-walks онлайн

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Compass bearings are abbreviated (N, S, NNW and so on). Reference landmarks and places encountered en route are in bold type. Altitudes are given in metres (m) above sea level (100m = 328ft).

Arrows are also used to mark the Corfu Trail

CORFU’S NORTHEAST

The descent path below Old Perithia (Walk 3 and Corfu Trail, Stage 10)

Life in the island’s northeast is lived in the shadow of the sprawling limestone massif of the Pandokratoras. Soaring to 911m above sea level, for the most part this is arid pasture land for wandering goats who can survive on thorny scrub. For walkers the rocky mountain means lengthy slogs across rugged terrain with little shade – but the upsides are solitude and huge views over the sparkling Ionian Sea to scattered islands and the mainland. The mountainsides slope down through dense woodland and extensive olive plantations to beautiful coastlines. To the east the sheltered coast juts out into the Straits of Corfu, mere kilometres from Albania. Thousands of escapees swam to Corfu or paddled across on tyre inner tubes in 1990, after communism in the country collapsed and its borders opened up. These days the shore is a string of enchantingly small, secluded coves with pebble beaches and inviting tavernas. It is a favourite with upmarket yachting types, which is sometimes reflected in accommodation and restaurant prices. The main coast road links Ipsos and Barbati with Kassiopi and Aharavi, and is served by buses throughout the summer months.