Corfu from Above: Mountain Biking or Hiking at the Highest Peak of Corfu

Pantokrator Classic MTB Tour

A ride up to the highlands of Corfu (approx. 900m. above the sea level) with the best ever panoramic views over the entire island, down and several kilometers far away or across to nearby Albania. Half way to the top we pass through the hillside villages Spartilas and Strinilas, which are unique examples of classic Corfiot architecture. Pantokrators’ rocky landscape and alpine tracks make it an ideal destination for off road bicycling. The climate up there is never too hot, even in the middle of July. The difficulty level of this ride is rather moderate, which means a classic MTB terrain with gravel tracks and some short climbs and descents. The tour may be recommended to anyone with good fitness level as well as with some MTB skills and experience. Participants will follow the semi-circular gravel track on a pre-planned route for approximately 16 km. Technical support and first aid will be provided by the guides of the tour. Transport to the top of the mountain will be provided by car/minivan. Duration of the tour is estimated to approximately 4-4,5 hours, including driving time to and from the starting point as well as a planned stop. Short breaks for photos or rest will take place upon request. Soft drinks and a snack will be offered after the ride during the planned stop in a local cafe.

 Description of the activity

This cycling tour around the highest peak of Corfu is a classic MTB activity which enables participants to enjoy unique panoramic views of the entire island that will remain unforgettable. It begins from “GEO bicycling and more” premises in Dassia or form a pre-arranged meeting point and we drive by car/minivan to the top of Pantokrator mountain. The cycling tour will take place in protected natural area with rather “alpine” Mediterranean flora, which means plants and bushes that grow at high elevation and above the tree line. Up there the air has the characteristic scent of wild peppermint and oregano. The route can be described as an average mountain-biking gravel terrain of moderate difficulty level with a few short uphills and downhills. We follow a semicircular counterclockwise route for 8 km and then we return from the same track. From the starting point of the tour we can see down and several kilometers far away, up to Corfu Town. As we move forward, we have panoramic views of the sparkling sea with the green islets Vido and Lazaretto, the North –East coastline and Albania. The bicycling activity lasts approximately 2 hours. At the end of the tour we stop for a soft drink and a snack in a local café in one of the hillside villages. Upon request or if we have no time limitation, we may visit the Christian Orthodox monastery at the top of the mountain. The excursion terminates back in Dassia or at the pre-arranged meeting point, as we return by mini-van