A walk around Sykero, a low hill on the headland south east of Vasiliki with great views over the south of the island. Starts and ends at the two tavernas in Kontarena, which is the first village on the main road to Nidri from Vasiliki. The trail follows unsurfaced track for a fair bit of the way, with some tarmac at the beginning and end. This makes for fairly easy walking albeit up and then down a hill. It also makes an excellent mountain bike trail if you prefer.
Special thanks to the Vasiliki Mountain Race Committee for this trail suggestion.
8.1km
385m ascent
Easy
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Numerous hotels, tavernas and shops in Vasiliki. Taverna and some accommodation in Kontarena.
This path forms a loop from Kontarena. It passes near to Vasiliki two thirds of the way around. You can easily make the trail one-way ending in Vasiliki. Alternatively walk up from Vasiliki and make the trail a loop ending and finishing in Vasiliki. The route as described is probably the best for hills climbed and views.
Regular bus to Vasiliki from Lefkada town. Get off at Kontarena at the bus stop by The Plane Tree taverna.
Park in the village of Kontarena near to The Plane Tree taverna and bus stop. If you don’t have water or sustenance for the walk this is your only opportunity.
From the taverna walk in the direction of Nidri and take the first turn on the right up a small surface road. On this route you will see several race and route markers – ignore them all. They belong to the Vasiliki mountain races.
Head up through the old village as the tarmac road zig zags between the houses. Keep on the tarmac until a T junction where tarmac goes down and up. Go right and up. The road become concrete for a while until returning to tarmac. Keep on this as it turns and climbs steeply out the village.
The road runs up a small valley past olive groves and vineyards. Ignore turnings left and right until you come to a flat section with a grass meadow on your right and several very large olive trees. Take the gravel track on your right climbing up the hill.
The track turns right then left and then again sharp left where it becomes concrete up the hill. It now follows around the hill and you start to get great views south over Ithaca and Kefalonia.
At the fork in the track keep right. As you climb follow the track past two huge villas. Shortly after the track goes right on a concrete section with the way ahead barred by a gate (sometimes open). Climb up right to the top of Sykero following the concreted zig zag.. As reach the top of Sykero hill you pass a wonderful grassy olive grove.
Continue down the track as it drops steeper and steeper in large zig zags down the hill heading towards Vasiliki bay. There are amazing views down the the lighthouse on the southern cape.
You pass a single modern villa and start to descend more steeply. If you are cycling the track will test your nerve as you fly down the slope. The steepest parts are concreted.
As you approach above Vasiliki the track joins a quiet tarmac road at a T junction. If you go down left you will join a track going right into Vasiliki. This is an alternate end point for you. The main trail goes right up the road. You climb a short way up to a low pass above Vasiliki. Continue straight on through forest and olive groves.
Follow the road through the pine forest ignoring turns. You gradually descend on the other side of the pass re-entering Kontarena village from the opposite side than you started out. There are two good tavernas that each make a good place to refresh.