Discover Corfu
Escorted walks with Jonathan Peat
11 to 18 May 2025 & 18 to 25 May 2025
THE WEEK IN BRIEF
• Accommodation and daily breakfast at the Bella Mare
• Welcome drinks and dinner
• Five walks escorted by Jonathan Peat, with transfers and lunch included
• All taxes and entrance fees
• Please call for occupancy and prices
Corfu is blessed with an inspiring landscape of mountains, olive groves, fertile valleys and a coastline scalloped by sandy beaches and pebble coves. There are huge tracts of Mediterranean cypress forest, pretty, pastel-coloured villages and sea views that will have you reaching for your camera at almost every twist and turn on the path.
This tour is based in the north east of the island, made famous by the Durrells and dotted with discreetly luxurious private villas that seem to perch in defiance of gravity above the peacock-coloured sea. Our base for the week is our own Bella Mare hotel, which occupies a prime beach-front location on Avlaki Bay. The hotel is as much a part of your holiday as the walks, so you might like to treat yourself to an indulgent massage or beauty treatment from our visiting mobile spa therapists, or if you're feeling a little more energetic, kayaks and SUPs are available for hire on the beach adjacent to the hotel gardens.
Your very experienced guide Jonathan Peat has put together a wonderfully varied week, with walks of 3 - 5 hours to explore archaeological sites and historic villages as well as captivating coastal landscapes. Jonathan’s unparalleled knowledge also opens up the natural world of plants, insects and the abundant birdlife that flocks to Corfu in spring. For more info about Jonathan, please see our main walking holidays page.
The walking tour is complemented by two rest days, so you can relax and make the most of the facilities at the Bella Mare hotel, or explore a little more of Corfu under your own steam.
THE ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Arrival
Arrive Corfu airport and transfer to the hotel Bella Mare (approximately one hour.) Join Jonathan and Myriam Peat for a discussion of the week’s highlights over drinks and dinner in a local taverna.
DAY 2 - Kassiopi to Bella Mare via Agios Stefanos and Erimitis Nature Reserve
A short transfer to the start of the walk near Kassiopi. Walk from here through olive groves and forest to the beautiful bay of Agios Stefanos for lunch in a seaside taverna. After lunch walk into the Erimitis nature reserve, home to many protected species including the Mediterranean seal and rhino dolphin. Time for a swim before the walk back to the Bella Mare.
Total walking time: approximately 3.5 hours.
DAY 3 - Spartilas to Valanio via Sokraki
From Spartilas village (30min drive), walk to Sokraki and visit its olive press, with impressive views south and east towards the mainland along the way. Lunch in Sokraki then continue through a valley full of olive groves to Valanio village for the return transfer.
Total walking time: approximately 4 hours.
DAY 4 - Rest day
Enjoy the pool and beach at Bella Mare, indulge in a revitalizing spa treatment or explore the local area at leisure.
Day 5 - Paleokastritsa to Agios Georgios via Makrides.
Head west on a superbly scenic drive to Krini to visit the Venetian fortress. Walk from here to Makrides and down to Agios Georgios for lunch and a swim. Various afternoon walking options, including a circular route to Porto Timoni; exact itinerary to be decided on the day.
Total walking time: 3 hours in the morning, up to 2 hours in the afternoon
DAY 6 - Rest day
A second day to relax and make the most of the beautiful Bella Mare hotel.
Day 7 - Ano Perithia to Agios Spiridonas
A literal high point of the week today: transfer to the old village of Ano Perithia, which sits on the flank of Mount Pantokrator, the Corfu’s highest peak. Dating from the 14th C, Perithia is a protected heritage site offering a fascinating glimpse into the island’s past. Walk from here down to Agios Spiridonas for lunch.
Total walking time: 3 to 4 hours.
DAY 8 - Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
* FITNESS GUIDE
GRADE 1
Up to 2 hours' walking, appropriate for those who take gentle regular exercise. Some inclines but nothing too taxing.
GRADE 2
Up to 4 hours' walking, appropriate for those who are used to a little more rigorous exercise. Some steep inclines.
GRADE 3
More demanding walking, appropriate for those with good levels of basic fitness and plenty of stamina.
Our walking itineraries may be subject to last-minute changes if conditions are unfavourable. Jonathan Peat also reserves the right to limit access to walks to those with the necessary levels of fitness and walking ability. To find out more about the basic fitness requirements for our walking holidays, please use the link below.
