Explore the hiking paths of Kefalonia

Hiking paths in Kefalonia

There are plenty of hiking options for your holidays in Kefalonia, but some of the best hikes are described here, some available as organised excursions with a guide. All you’ll need are a suitable pair of shoes and hiking essentials and the Kefalonian landscape will supply the rest. We’ve also got some tips for hiking in Greece below.

Mount Ainos

The tallest mountain in the Ionian islands has been a national park since 1962 and is a Natura 2000-protected ecosystem. Some of the best hikes in Kefalonia are on its slopes (there are five marked trails on the mountain) and it’s up to you whether you follow the path up to the very top (1,628m), known as Megas Soros, or opt for something more leisurely. Either way, you'll be rewarded with a landscape of pine and fir trees, as well as great views of Kefalonia and the Ionian Sea.

An easy walk is from the Mount Ainos Environmental Centre, where you can learn all about the Kefalonian fir tree (abies Cephalonia) and many of the other estimated 400 species of plants of the mountain, as well as the animals found there. It follows a circular route through the forest to the Hionistra viewpoint and back again. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of Argostoli and Sami, as well as the islands of Ithaca and Lefkada. The path to the top is of medium difficulty, starting at Digaleto village on the lower slopes and taking you all the way to Megas Soros, where the views (as far as the Peloponnese) are out of this world.
 

Route 1: Mt Ainos Environmental Centre – Hionistra

• Distance: 6.2km circular route
• Duration: 1.5-2.5 hrs
• Difficulty level: Easy

 Route 2: Digaleto – Megas Soros

• Distance: 6.6km with return
• Duration: 4.5-5 hrs
• Difficulty level: Medium
   

More info: here

Discover the magic of Mount Ainos in Kefalonia

Antipata to Dafnoudi beach

Close to Fiskardo, in northern Kefalonia, there are walks that lead to beaches with wonderful waters and sea caves. One of these is a short and easy hike from Antipata village on a road that passes scattered houses and olive groves and a cypress tree forest, before heading down a narrow path through the forest and ending at Dafnoudi beach. The beach is a little gem, with luminous blue-green water and white pebbles and a small sea cave with its own little beach … perfect for the romantics out there.

• Distance: 2.4 km with return
• Duration: 1hr-1hr 20 mins
• Difficulty level: Easy

Emplisi beach to Kimilia beach

Another short walk very close to Fiskardo is from Emplisi beach to the secluded Kimilia beach. It starts by a wooden gate near the canteen (ask if in doubt) and there are small blue and white painted markers along the way, either on stones or on trees. The path winds between pine, oak and cypress trees and descends after around 20 minutes towards the sea. It continues for a short distance between rocks that form natural plunge pools until it reaches pebbly Kimilia beach.

• Distance: 2.6 km with return
• Duration: 1hr
• Difficulty level: Easy

Poulata – Palia Vlachata – Palia Livathinata – Palia Poulata

One of the most fascinating hikes in Kefalonia, especially on a guided tour. Setting out from Poulata village, very close to Sami, you explore three traditional settlements that were abandoned after the earthquake that devastated so much of the island over 70 years ago. Passing through a ravine, you arrive at Palia (Old) Vlachata, where time stopped on 12 r reso0August 1953, other than the stone buildings slowly crumbling into ruins. It’s hard to imagine, but the village does come back to life every August for the Saristra Music & Arts Festival. You continue to Palia Livathinata and eventually reach Palia Poulata, where all of the buildings (including the stone church) of a settlement that once housed 800 people have been destroyed. It’s another ghost town, but you get an idea of what life would have been like in Kefalonia before the earthquake struck. The hike ends with a short walk back to Poulata.

• Distance: 7.3 km circular route
• Duration: 3.5 hrs
• Difficulty level: Easy

Sami – Antisamos – Acropolis of Ancient Sami – Agii Fanentes

Another Kefalonia hike best enjoyed on a guided tour. This route starts and ends in Sami and includes a number of cultural highlights. Arriving (or starting, if you prefer) at Antisamos beach, you can enjoy a quick dip or simply admire the scenery of one of the best beaches in Kefalonia, known for its fine white pebbles and the intense greenery. From here, you climb through a gorge towards the Acropolis of Ancient Sami, dating from the 5^th-4^th centuries BC and, according to the historian Thucydides, built on two peaks to protect Sami as one of the four ancient city-states of Kefalonia. Parts of its imposing walls are still standing and there are lovely views towards Ithaca and Antisamos beach.

The route continues on a gentle path to the opposite peak of the fortress, where you explore the ruins of the Monastery of Agii Fanentes, originally built in 1265 and whose main church (Catholicon) was rebuilt in the 1630s. You can make out the typical Byzantine architecture of monastic cells built along a four-sided wall and a free-standing church (Catholicon) in the centre. A reused ancient fortification tower and the thick monastery walls reflect the need for protection from pirate raids that were common during the Frankish and Venetian occupations. Finally, you visit the Church of Agios Nikolaos, with its impressive frescoes, before returning to Sami.

• Distance: 11 km circular route
• Duration: 4hrs
• Difficulty level: Moderate

Drapanitika – Assos Castle

Visiting picturesque Assos and its Venetian castle is a must on any holidays in Kefalonia, but the village does get busy in the summer months. So arriving on foot through one of the lush forests of northern Kefalonia is a bonus. You set off from the tiny settlement of Drapanitika and follow a path through pine and cypress trees and past terraced fields. It’s a beautiful route, with frequent glimpses of the Ionian Sea, but the highlight comes when you set eyes on the pastel-coloured houses of one of the most picturesque villages in Kefalonia. You continue past Assos to the green peninsula beyond it and make your way up to the Venetian fortress. It was one of the largest in Greece and was built (as always) to protect the island from pirates, but it was also used as a prison during World War II. From here, the view of the coastline and houses of Assos is magical. You end your walk in Assos, where you can swim at the beach and there is a choice of tavernas.

• Distance: 13.6 km with return
• Duration: 7hrs
• Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult
   

Argostoli – Ancient Krani – Cyclopean Walls

Setting off from Argostoli’s De Bosset Bridge (named after a Swiss engineer who was the island’s governor in 1813), you cross the Koutavos Lagoon and head uphill towards Ancient Krani. It's a straightforward and scenic route, although as you approach the ancient town, you'll find yourself on a smaller path through scrubland, for which you'll probably need a guide. From here, there are great views over Argostoli and the Koutavos Lagoon. Ancient Krani was another of Kefalonia's four city-states that flourished between 500 and 200 BC. But the most impressive ruins come when you reach the Mycenaean-era Cyclopean Walls (7th-5th century BC), so called because the boulders are so big they were said to have been moved by the giant Cyclops and masterfully joined together. Passing the remains of the Doric temple of Demeter, you continue on a dirt path through olive groves to the rear of the ancient city, where you pass the ruins of other buildings of various periods within the forest, before returning towards Koutavos Lagoon and Argostoli.

• Distance: 9 km with return
• Duration: 3 hrs
• Difficulty level: Easy
   

Atheras - Amidi beach

Another walk which, although relatively short (4.5km) is best done with a guide, both for the route and to make your return to Atheras (or wherever you are staying) easier. You start at Atheras village on a path along the slopes of Mount Loutsa.

The views over the bay of Atheras and the northwest coastline of Kefalonia are beautiful, as the path leads you through scrubland and eventually into a dense deciduous forest. Then comes the more challenging part of the walk, a 20-minute hike through the Pigadia gorge to Amidi beach, where a rewarding swim awaits.

• Distance: 9 km with return
• Duration: 12hrs
• Difficulty level: Challenging

Tips for hiking in Kefalonia

Hiking is a magical way to enjoy the Greek countryside but make sure to be prepared and protect yourself, especially on very hot days.

• Stay hydrated: Always wear a hat and carry plenty of water with you.
• Be weather-wise: Check the forecast before setting out. Avoid the midday heat and extremely hot periods. The best times for hiking in Kefalonia are spring (April-May) and autumn (late September-October). It is also best to avoid winter on Mount Ainos and other elevated hikes.
• Plan your walk: Whenever possible, follow marked trails and plan your walk. Ideally, use a guide and never hike alone. Ask for directions, if you’re unsure. This helps protect both you and the natural environment.
• Stay connected: Have the phone numbers of your hotel and local authorities, such as the police, handy. And make sure your mobile phone is fully charged.

Discover Kefalonia