Dear friend
We keep visiting this island every year as we consider it the natural paradise of the Ionian islands. We also come back for our local friends, who in every visit reveal to us one of the island’s many secrets spots. I invite you to join us for 7 or 10 days and “live” every day a unique experience…
Thanks to our local guide you will discover places that you cannot find in any guidebook, no matter how cool or well-researched it is. You’ll walk, swim, explore places far away from the standard recommendations given to travellers. Our walking holiday in Lefkada has been designed by passionate locals who recognise and appreciate its natural and cultural wonders and are willing to share all their knowledge and love for the island with you.
Exploring and getting to know Lefkada on foot
Lefkada is most famous for its long, golden sandy beaches with turquoise crystal clear waters. They are considered some of the best in the Mediterranean sea. However, the hinterland, with its lush green valleys, gorges and impressive mountains dotted with picturesque villages, is spectacular. There is an extensive network of paths and its mountains reach up to 1145 meters high and offer deep ravines with waterfalls, olive and oak-clad hillsides as well as fertile plains producing seasonal crops.
There is really no better way to explore Lefkada that on foot! You’ll enjoy overwhelming nature and breathtaking views to the numerous islands and islets that surround Lefkada. Our local guide Daphne will take you, often via old tracks and paths, to the most beautiful spots of the island and introduce you to traditional villages and romantic, dilapidated and ruined settlements.
Our urge to keep on discovering new things has brought us to many surprising places!
Here are some of our favourite sites where we want to take you:
1. Walk to the top of Skaros mountain, through its ancient oak forest
Skaros Mountain, famous as the place where Ulysses took his sheep to pasture, is considered one of the island’s most precious habitats. Located up in the river-crossed mountain, it is made up of centuries’ old moss-draped trees, especially a very rare type of oak which can only be found in Lefkada and in a handful of other forests in Europe. During the Venetian and Ottoman occupation guards were posted throughout the forest to protect it. Join us and walk to the top where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding island’s and scattered picturesque villages.
2. Live your myth exploring the mystical Melissa Gorge in Sfakiotes
If you’re looking for fairy-tale beauty, just follow the river as it winds through ancient oak, plane, elm, cypress and olive trees skirted by wild and endemic flowers. An important part of Lefkada’s ecosystem, Melissas Gorge offers wildlife admirers the opportunity to admire swooping falcons and hawks, cuckoos, ferrets, foxes, birds, woodcocks, badgers, weasels, porcupines, wood pigeons, partridges, bee-eaters, grouse, magpies, oriole, vipers and so on. Along the bank of the river you’ll observe proof of the island’s commercial history such as watermills, wooden and stone bridges.
3. Discover the canyon of Dimosari & cool down at its beautiful waterfalls
Another breath-taking route we would like to take you is through Dimosari Canyon, one of Lefkada’s most precious ecosystems. In antiquity it played an important role by powering the island’s waterworks by harnessing the surge of the river water from Mount Vafkeri. Gushing waterfalls pool into exotic lagoons shaded by moss-draped oak trees. What a perfect place to cool down as the waterfalls and thick forest keep the temperatures down. The locals believe it’s the best drinking water in the island so have a drink! There are a few small caves throughout the canyon for you to discover.
4. Wonder around the forest of Dafnis in Syvros… a paradise for hikers!
The only sound you hear is the echo of your steps on the dried plane tree leaves. And then the music of water… Due to the abundance of water there used to be 24 watermills in total in the area to serve the needs of the locals.
5. Spot resident and migrant birds at the Gira lagoon, the Ionian island’s most significant wetland
One of the most unique features of this beautiful island is the Gira lagoon, a Natura 2000 site that’s located literally in the middle of the town, which has become a favourite migratory stop for various birds. You will walk along the perimeter of the lagoon as you keep an eye out for resident birds such as graceful seagulls and herons and migrants such as pelicans, flamingos, moorhen, wild ducks and rarely swans. It is also protected by the Ramsar Convention.
6. Experience the dramatic sceneries & marvelous seashores of emerald Lefkada, wrapped in exoticism and mythology
One of our favourite spots is Lefkatas Cape, the southern point of Lefkada island. The lighthouse there was built on the ruins of the ancient temple of Greek god Apollo, Lefkatas. You’ll observe the 200ft white cliffs that give the island its Greek name. In antiquity they served as a trial by ordeal (the “Lefkadian leap”) for accused persons. It is the place where Sappho allegedly leapt to her death by jumping from the high cliffs.We’ll continue along the coast that offers impressive steep cliffs, impressive rock formations and the most remote and famous beaches; Porto Katsiki and Egremni, voted the best in the Mediterranean (by Conde Naste Traveler).
7. Visit authentic villages hidden in the mountainous regions
One of our favourite walks starts from the traditional settlement of Kalamitsi, where the elderly women still wear traditional dress and the most common means of transportation is by donkey. We’ll take the ancient trail via a gorge towards another traditional village, Exanthia. Ancient cypresses and olive trees will be our companions. After a short break to admire the panoramic views of the green hills of the island and endless deep blue of the Ionian sea, we’ll have a light lunch under the shade of pine trees.
Let yourself be submerged by the colors and aromas of nature within Lefkada… and discover the rare and most commonly discovered plants and flowers.
Check the itinerary of 10-day our guided walking holiday at the Ionian islands here…
Check the itinerary of 4-day short-break walking adventure in Lefkada here…
Explore with us these amazing sites – learn about the flora and fauna – discover the stories and legends they inspire under the guidance of our expert guide Daphne.
If you wish to discuss the above or any other matter please don’t hesitate to contact us either by phone at +30 6976 761492 or email at info@nofootprint.gr
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Nofootprint team