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Usefull,
clear and detailed map of the islands.(PDF) WALKING
ON LEFKAS
MELISSA GORGE (In and out about 2 hrs. 15 min.)
This
gorge is not known by most of the local people and is therefore very quiet in
off-season. So better go there together with someone in case something happens. The gorge is known for its rare plants
and animal life and the scenery is surely worth to be seen.
We took the bus from Lefkada in the direction of Karia. About 300 meter after the blue 4.2 km. sign, 2 km. before Lazarata, there is a marble memorial with two bronze plates. On the right side of
it starts a, sometimes steep, asphalt road. After about 20 minutes, one sees a sign to the gorge. It takes about half an hour to walk on the gravel road to the Gorge itself. On the way you pass Spilia
(cave) and a well with drinking water.
We took the right leg of the path, indicating Kako Langkadi. The path is steep
from time to time and crossing the river over wooden bridges.. After 45 minutes we reached the end of the
gorge where you will find a picnic place.
Going down after the part where the wooden railings end did not seem an option as it is very steep and
there does not seem to be a path.
So, after some rest we returned to the road. It is easy to take a wrong path, which we did, but eventually one finds a way
out.
After returning to the road one can wait for the bus or walk to Lefkada.
Although the road is always going down it will take at least an hour and 15 min.
to the town center.
An other option is turning right and walk the 2 km. to Lazarata where there is a
taverna and the busstop.
Pictures of the gorge and the memorial can be seen in my pictures section on the
page. (Lefkas and Meganisi 2008)
NIDRI
- WATERFALLS (1 hr.)
In the centre of the Nidri main street, next to the kafeneion-bar MIMIKOS
you see a
yellow sign to the waterfalls (KATARRAKTES).Dimossari
waterfalls were named after the watermills which existed in the area and
belonged to the state (dimos=state).
The road is in the beginning slightly going up,
near the falls a bit steeper. At the foot of the path to the real falls there is
a bar, which we always found open May to October. Walking up along the river takes about 20
minutes. At the end of the end there is at least a pool in the dry season, which
can be reached over a path, constructed in 2010.
Walking back you will pass the taverna The Bridge in
Rachi. They
are good for mezedes with your lunch. Try the loukaniko saganaki !
KARIA
- VAFKERI - NIDRI (1.5 hrs. + 2 hrs. and no bus service after Karia)
- From Kria simply follow the signs to Vafkeri. That means taling the lefy leg
of the V and turn right instead of
going to Periali on the next T. Though it seems that Karia is situated rather high in the mountains, te
road is still mostly a bit going up to Vafkeri. The view over the plain is
breathtaking.
As soon as you reach Vafkeri, you see the taverna Platanos on the right, which is only open
for about seven weeks in the high season. But, if you walk down into the street
you will find the taverna The Katoghi,
which is open Tuesday to Sunday, exept may be 2 weeks in November. A good place
to have lunch.
-From Vafkeri you just follow the road down, enjoying the spendid views over the
seven islands. Coming closer to Nidri there is a crossing with a sighn
indicating a bakery in Vafkeri. (the road we were walking) From there you can:
1. turn left and walk to Nidri, passing the taverna The Bridge in Rachi.
2. go on and follow the next small road on your left. You walk between
fruit and olive trees. At the end of the small road you turn right. Cross the
circular road, walk about 30 meters to the right, go left and pass the school, keeping it
on your left. Do not turn left or right any more and you will reach the Nidri
main street next to MIMIKOS.
Pictures can be seen in my pictures section on the
page. (Lefkas and Meganisi 2009) KARIA
-
PLATISTOMA - KOLIVATA - NIKIANA (45 min.+ 60 min.+ 90 min)
Walking was done over asphalt roads as we did not want to take the risk of going
deep down in the plane, having to climb the last end on gravel roads.
The way to Platistoma is slowly going up and close to the village some steeper.
Reaching the village you must take the road to the left, signed Sfakiotes (Σφακιώτες)
however, for a stop and a drink you walk straight on, bend to the right,
pass the (possibly off season closed) taverna. Behind it, you 'll find an old
kafeneion with some grape- presses inside.
After passing Alexandros, an almost empty village where houses are restored in
the old style, you follow the sign Kolivata/Nikiana.
Reaching the sign to Kolivata and the Taverna Kolivata, follow the right fork of
the road into the small village. To our surprise we found a very friendly lady
by the name of Maria, who served splendid, really Greek food.
After our meal we walked up the path back to the fork in the road and started
the climbing rod to Nikiana. After about 2 km the road starts going down and in
the shadow of the trees we descended to the seaside.
Reaching the main road at the bus stop, we had a drink in the kafeneion on the
left.
SYVOTA
As there seem to be only a few busses running there we walk from the mainrod
fast going down to Syvota in half an hour. It is a sheltered harbour and a good
place to stay for a few hours and have lunch, before walking back to the main
road. As that way it is going up all the time, one must calculate the double
time to walk back up as taking a rest half way is a good idea.
Pictures can be seen in my pictures section on the
page. (Lefkas and Meganisi 2008 and 2009) VLYGHO
- GENI AND AGIA KYRIAKI, the church opposite Nidri. (1.5 hrs.)
Leaving the bus at Vlygho at the endpointand walk along the dirt road, The soccer
field sits on the left along the coast. After about 500 meters there is a sandy
path going to the road on the right side. Take care, it can easily been
overlooked. In the morning it is a nice walk in the shade. Just walking on, you
reach the church. The last 1 km is along a small footpath.
Returning the same road, you will find several tavernas, in a beautiful setting.
One of them is Elena, serving splendid food. In lower season it is very quiet, just relax and enjoy.
Pictures can be seen in my pictures section on the
page. (Lefkas and Meganisi 2009) NIDRI -
VLYGHO - KATOHORIO (45 min. + 45 min.)
Walk to the waterfront in Nidri and go right. Just before the last hotel turn
right and walk to the road. That moment the petrol station is on your right, a
point to remember for the way back. Go left on the main road where you
pass a restaurant on the right after about 1 km. After the shipyard you can
follow the back street, avoiding the noise of the main road and have some shadow.
At a certain moment you pass the yacht club and later the taverna Porto
Vyigho, good for a stop.
Continue on the back street and turn right on the mail road towards Vasiliki.
After a good walk up, you see a sign, indicating an olive workshop. Follow the
sign and follow the steep road until you reach the village. On top of the
stonewall you walk towards is a kafeneion.
Walking into the village, we never found a taverna open off-season in the years
before 2009. This year we did not check, so it is worth asking before. On the
road you have a very good view over Vlygho bay.
WALKING
ON MEGANISI The
ferry from Nidri goes the the harbour at Spartohori, than to Vathy, to return to
Nidri. As the last ferry leaves from Vathy we mostly walked in that direction.
When the ferry arrives at the harbour of Spartohori, you will find a taverna on
the beach. Just past the back of the taverna, the stairs to Spartahori begin.
In Spartohori are a taverna and a pizzeria and there are several kafeneions. A
very nice one is the one as can be seen in the pictures "Lefkas and
Meganissi 2007". It is that hidden that after some visits we still have
difficulties to find it. In 2009 we discovered thar the look of the
kafeneion changed. probably due to the fact that is has a new owner.
To go to Vathy you walk down the asphalt road.
Following the signs to the town hall you will walk the road that goes inland to Vathy. We walked
it once and it seems longer than the road along the coast athough it is the same
distance. This because it goes
more up and down.
If you go down along the beach, passing the last taverna on the way, you can
walk the easyer coastal road and will reach Vathy within about 1 hr. and 30 min.
at the most. Also there you will find several taverna's.
From Vathi you will find the village of Katomeri,
walking uphil for about one kilometer.
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