Agios Georgios (Staint George) South Corfu

...continuing from previous post...  see previous page for Lakones...

Now, someone wanted to know about the higher trails.  I did try following the Corfu walking guide, but I found it difficult and unnecessarily complicated; constantly cutting across country at unidentifiable points.

So, back to Google Maps.  On the plain map screen, it's a short distance North-East from Makrades to Vistonas (a small farming village), then there's a road round the back of the hill above Lakones to Agia Anna, then down to Doukades and the road we know out of Paleo.  There's also a long track marked from part-way along the Lakones hill road up to the edge of Agia Anna.  My walking guide would have you go up to Lakones, then take this trail to Agia Anna, Alimmatedes, then loop back round and down to Lakones via the trails.

Now look at the satellite imagery and you'll see an angled trail leading down from the main road to a clearing about 400m North-East of Lakones.  This is the church of Vitoulades - slightly misleading as I was really looking for the abandoned 'ghost village' of Vitoulades.  I now think that is at the end of the path another 300m to the North-East.  I wonder if there's a way across what is quite a severe slope?

Anyway, I came down from the road above.  At the junction there's a prominent red raised church just to the north.  The main track (concrete then gravel) goes up and over a saddle between the hilltops and comes down to a memorial pillar.  From there, the main track leads on South to the church.  But look closely on the satellite images.  Where that pillar is there's the start of two trails.  The lower one cuts across the hillside then zig-zags down above Lakones.  I believe I came out at the large building at the top of the village (rather than the buildings to the far eastern end) and was able to walk straight down between the houses to the road.  But be careful, as this donkey trail is much tougher than the lower one - less well-trodden presumably - and the stones are far more prominent and tough to walk on.  I'm not sure how tough it would be to go up this way.

The map does show a track to the west of Lakones, between the Bella Vista and the Golden Fox, that heads up to the Vistonas road, without too much zig-zagging.  I might try and find this way up next time, then go round above Lakones to find Vitoulades then come down the upper trail again.

The other useful path is a concrete road that loops around from Makrades and into the back of Krini.  Off the corner of that is a gravel trail downhill that heads to a clearing overlooking a drop-off to the coast.  Through a split in the rocks it descends on a zig-zag walled path with fantastic views over Agios Georgios bay.  Again, the satellite images on Google Maps show this steep ridge about half a mile North-West of Makrades.  From there it's still a couple of miles across the lower plain to Agios Georgios proper, so you may want to just admire the view then head back.  Or if you do go on, see if you can get a taxi as there's no easy way back over that ridge.  Personally I think it'll be easier to reach Agios Georgios from the likes of Sidari to the North.

View Topic: Lakones

At first I thought you were talking about Agios Georgios beach, which is achievable in a day, though a taxi back would be nice.

The route South you're talking about is over a dozen miles (as the crow flies) across a steep landscape.  There's something called the 'Corfu Trail' but you're expected to tackle it over several days.  Round from Paleo to Liapedes, you just follow the road out and follow the roadsigns.  It's about equivalent in effort to your trip up to the Angelokastro.  But it's far easier to swim across from the Acapulco bar on the edge of Paleo.  I think there's a route over the rocks there if you'd rather cut short the longer road route.

But Pelekas and Agios Gordios?  That's at least half an hour if not more by car.  On foot, getting on for 15-20 miles allowing for the winding routes and steep climbs.  It'd be a tough route for an overnight competitive hike.  By day, in the summer, it'd be suicidal.  But if you're looking for a way of thinning out applicants for the Marines or something, be my guest...

Seriously though, get a good map with terrain marked on it, do some more research, and try not to be too ambitious.

View Topic: Beach Walk Paleo To Liapades And On To Pelekas.

Good map BUT...   Can't speak for all areas but around Agios Georgios/St George South, you could find yourself in a bit of trouble if driving as one or two of the links shown as roads (eg Agios Georgios to Marathia) are little more than dirt tracks that I don't even venture down in a 4*4 Jeep!.
View Topic: Corfu Map

Hi all
View Topic: Agios Georgios South?

I would head south and have lunch at Boukari before going onto Petriti for the evening (a diversion up to Chlomos for a drink in one of the most beautiful villages with stunning views might be a good idea. Stay 2 nights in Petriti and from there you can explore the fantastic beach of the south west coast and the wetlands area at Lefkimi.
View Topic: New And Need Some Tips

[QUOTE=jance]  we are staying at Villa Anthoussa in Paleo, and yes we will have a hire car. . [/QUOTE]

OK Jance for a lovely scenic drive try this.  As already recommended drive up the hill through the village of Lakones enjoying the superb views on the way. At the top turn left in Makrades to visit the ruins of the fort called Angelokastro which looks down onto Paleo. Then carry on from Makrades towards Vistonas where you turn left towards the little village of Pagi. Stop en route for great photos across Agios Georgios bay with Albania in the far distance.
Now drive down to Agios Georgios bay and then proceed along the beach road and up the other side to the lovely 'not to be missed' village of Afionas which sits astride a promontory so has views both north and south. Parking is difficult at busy times but find somewhere in the main street or further back. There are a few excellent  tavernas, some rather hidden, but  none of which should be missed so you will have to return another day!!
 

View Topic: Must See/Do

Hi,
View Topic: Just Back On Tuesday!

Hi,
View Topic: Transfer From Airport

You could try booking a transfer with Travel Republic, they use Lord Travel on Corfu.  http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/airporttransfers/.  Some friends have used them a few times and found them very reliable.  Where abouts are you staying in the village?
View Topic: Transfer From Airport

Hi,
View Topic: Alexander Beach Studios

Some was filmed there but most scenes were shot at Agios Georgios south on the sand dunes- and in Danilia Village (then a flourishing tourist evening out destination masquerading as a Greek village!)
View Topic: Pagi And James Bond

Really great to have the Corfu Travel Guide Forums back again !! They are so useful for people wishing to visit Corfu for the 1st time including those who have chosen to visit Agios Georgios, whether for the 1st time or 20th.
This beautiful resort is known by several names all of which mean 'St.George'. To distinguish it from a similarly named resort in the south of the island it has been known as 'Agios Georgios north' or maybe more correctly (but less well-known by visitors) 'Agios Georgios Pagon (or Pagi) after the name of the nearby village of Pagi. It is often referred to locally as 'San George'.

Dennis

View Topic: Village website