All-new long distance hiking challenge. Walk the entire length of the island from Lefkada Town to Cape Doukato following monopati and unsurfaced tracks. The trail traverses the island spine going over mountain peaks and passing majestic viewpoints. The full 80km is split into six day-stages with breaks in pretty Lefkada mountain villages. The walk is amazing, each day being very different to each other. See the huge variety that Lefkada offers.
| Day | Route | Distance | Ascent |
| One | Lefkada Town to Nikiana | 14.5km | 480m |
| Two | to Karya | 13km | 870m |
| Three | to Eglouvi | 6.5km | 560m |
| Four | to Ag. Ilias | 15.5km | 930m |
| Five | to Ag. Petros | 10.5km | 525m |
| Six | to Cape Doukato | 20km | 570m |
Many parts of mainland and islands of Greece have long distance hiking trails. Now Lefkada does too. At the moment this trail is unofficial, but still very lovely and easy to follow using the free descriptions and GPX files on this website.
You will have to make transport and accommodation arrangements yourself. There is great advice in a post by Sally and Miles, amongst the first to walk the trail completely independently of us. The island is small and there are several taxi firms – either to take you to and from the trail from your choice of central hotel, or to transport luggage between hotels on-route.
A good strategy is to start the walk based at a hotel in or near Lefkada Town and then to switch to a hotel in Vasiliki once past Eglouvi. If you want one hotel for the whole week then Nidri is most central. Use taxis to take you to and from the trail (all those towns have local taxis). If you have non-hikers in your group they can enjoy the beach and drop you/pick you up in a hire car.
Lefkada hotels are almost all in the coastal towns and villages. Inland there are many cottages and villas for rental, although many are a week minimum and not set up for walkers. You may find more flexibility out of the summer peak. If you have a car then you could rent a villa for a week and arrange transport to each days walk.
Another option is to light-weight camp on trail. Officially wild camping is not permitted but tolerated in many places – especially if beside the trail for the night in a quiet location, of which there are many along this route. There is little water away from the villages as limestone makes streams dry except in winter rains. In summer don’t even think of fire as forest fire is a huge problem and killer in Greece. You will likely want to break for the night at slightly different locations than the villages suggested. Also take care to avoid agriculture as many small patches of land are crops and all olive groves are harvested. The tavernas in villages are often open all day (except mid-winter) and you can eat/drink while passing the villages at almost any time of day – so you can get by without carrying cooking equipment. Just a supply of cold snacks and a cold meal if stuck (and water of course). I am sure I don’t have to say – never leave rubbish behind.
Companies are now offering guided hikes along this trail. Tell us if you are thinking of doing this too, or offer accommodation and trail-transfers packages.
Do tell us if you walk the whole trail. We will give free T shirts for early pioneer hikers who finish and post about it online. Tell us too if you just walk one of the stages. If you think we can improve any parts, or if you have tips for fellow hikers, we would love to know. Instagram @lefkadatrails or on Facebook.
The objectives for this route, in order of priority, are:-
- Traverse from north to south using reasonable day-stages ending in villages.
- Follow unsurfaced trails and monopati whenever possible. Failing that use quiet roads.
- Visit the best parts of the interior of Lefkada whilst maintaining progress from north to south without retracing steps.
- Use trails that are all good day-hikes in themselves, not just making distance.