A hike on the small island of Kalamos, east of Lefkada and close to the mainland. The trail ascends to the tiny church of Agia Paraskevi high on a pass between the two main mountains of the island. There are breath-taking views from the top.
Ferries to Kalamos from Lefkada Town or from Mytikas on the mainland. It is possible to hire a boat for you or a skipper to cross from Mytikas.
Accommodation and tavernas on Kalamos.
The hike starts from Kalamos main port on the south-east side of the island. The port is usually busy with visiting yachts and flotillas vying for space to moor for the night. There are shops to stock up with water and cheese pies for your hike.
Set off up the road leading up into the town from the port. After 30m turn left up a steep path.
The steep path leading up from the port.
After two bends fork right, and then take the first narrow road going right. After a short distance you join another road where the route straight on is marked “no through way” – a path goes left straight up the hill between two houses. After the houses go right along the road.
The first turning left up to Ag Georgios church.
The road heads along to coast slowly climbing. After 800m there is a road going sharp left back up the hill signposted to Ag Georgios church – take that road. After 400m a track goes sharp right also signposted to the church. After 300m you pass the church keeping to the right onto the track as it starts to ascend the mountain.
Looking back down towards the port.
You now climb up through olive groves then pine forest getting higher and higher. The track turns to the right and then left as it zig-zags up the hill. You are heading for the top of the pass between the mountains up ahead.
The track climbs up to the pass.
At the top the track goes a short way to the right where is the tiny church of Panagia Agia Paraskevi. There are a few benches outside and it is a very pretty spot to sit and eat those cheese pies. You get views in both directions to the south and north.
Tiny church of Agia Paraskevi
The church is of St Friday, an early Christian martyr. A wonderful spot. When you have rested retrace your steps back down to the port.
On the map are two other marked paths, one ascending the mountain to the right, and the other descending the pass on the other side. Both of these paths are very hard to follow on the ground, and cross extremely rough ground with thick vegetation. We cannot recommend either, unfortunately, after having tried them both. The path down was blocked by discarded cuttings when electric workers repaired the transmission lines. We will update this website if the path is repaired.
Get the best of two worlds with this loop around a mountain on Meganisi island, starting high level with sweeping views, then back along the coast with coves and beaches. Starts and ends at the port where ferries arrive from Lefkada. Get a morning ferry over, do this walk, and take the late afternoon ferry back to Lefkada. Make sure you leave time for a swim and a fish supper, whilst waiting for the ferry back.
The walk is quite long but along easy tracks and then a road. As always take lots of water. Also your swimming clothes and a towel. It is possible to shorten the walk back, bypassing the walk along the coast. The trail is suitable for a mountain bike, and bikes can be rented in Nidri and Spartochori.
13.5km. 10km if taking a shortcut to Spartochori. 550m ascent.
Take the ferry across to Meganisi from Nidri. It runs a few times a day with enough time between morning and later afternoon crossings to do this hike.
Tavernas in Spilia, the Meganisi ferry port. Accommodation and tavernas in Spartochori.
The route starts from Spilia port on Meganisi island where the ferry docks from Lefkada. The ferry runs from Nidri, most of the year three to five times a day – usually with morning and late afternoon ferries. It takes just 20 minutes and is very cheap for foot passengers. Just walk on and pay on board, no need to book. > Check online for the timetables that change every month. There are tavernas in both ports so easy if you have time to kill.
When you come off the ferry, head left on the road as it runs around the bay and starts to climb. After 300m there are some steps on the right that takes a shortcut across the zig-zags of the road. There are then another set of steps doing the same further up. You end up, either by road or steps, in a little square in the village of Spartochori, with great views back to Lefkada.
The village square in Spartochori.
Take the road going up from the square, take the first fork right, then the second left until you reach the main road running through Spartochori with a few shops. Go left along the main road to a T junction where you go left then immediately right. Keep going straight on to a fork by a builders yard where you go right on the smaller road.
Fork right by the builders yard.
Keep going straight on and forking right, and the small road becomes a track, leaving Spartochori behind. The track runs for 3km down the eastern side of Meganisi, high up on the hill. You climb up further and both the track and the views get better and better. You run through ancient olive groves within water shaped limestone rocks. You get views first north over the mainland, then south east towards the Corinth Gulf, then south down the long tail of Meganisi. This part of the walk is stunning. Part way there is a metal gate across the road. It is easy to untie the rope and open – make sure you close and retie, it keeps animals in.
The track gets better and better.
Shortly after passing the southmost point you pass the track that runs down the long tail of the island. This trail does not go that way as it is only there and back and about 7km each way. Feel free to divert if you are uber fit, otherwise continue on the track as it turns back north.
The start of the track down the long tail of Meganisi. We don’t go that way today, but you should be safe if you walk. It is a dead-end so allow time if you do venture down.
On the west side of the island you run into increasing signs of villa building projects. Unfortunately, this rather detracts from the ambience for a short section. After 1km you get to a fork where the road going left is new tarmac and the right track climbs up. We are going to go left to get down to the coast road, but the right fork is a track going straight back to Spartochori making a shortcut back to the ferry.
Walk left along the new road for 1.3km until you get to a road junction. Go left down the hill (if you go right it is a second shortcut to Spartochori along a road). After a few zig-zags down you reach the sea near a pretty church, a coffee bar and a pebbly beach. When you are ready take the road going right along the coast.
Walking back along the coast road with many great swimming spots.
You follow this coast road now right back to the ferry, 4km. It passes a series of beaches, big and small, as well as beach bars and small tavernas. They are only open in season, but very nice if so. If you walk out of season then it will be quieter but you need to take your own picnic and drink. Take your pick of wonderful places to swim in the clear waters.
After about 3km you get to the headland just before the ferry port. The road heads inland a little, though with nice trees for shade. There are three short climbs, the last one being the longest (don’t worry you are nearly there). At the top of the last hill the road forks – go left and back down and around to the ferry. If you go right it takes you to Spartochori.
The road at the first of three short climbs.
In the bay just past the ferry terminal are several tavernas – all good. A great place to wait for the next ferry. Also a great beach where you can swim safely (marked so boats can’t run you down). Don’t swim where the boats sail or dock.
