In spring and autumn the hills behind San Stefano offer some of the best walking on Corfu. Trails start at the front door and climb through olive groves and forest to hill villages, the Empress’s palace and lookouts across the island and the sea to the mountains of the mainland.
No car, no transfer, no meeting point. Walk out of the gate in the morning, and come back to the pool and the balcony in the afternoon.
Walks from the house
Gastouri and the Achilleion
Up through the olive groves to the hill village of Gastouri, with its lanes and views back down to the sea, then on to the Achilleion, the palace the Empress Elisabeth built, and its gardens high above the coast.
About 3 hours’ walking, round trip. Allow extra time for coffee or lunch in Gastouri before the walk back.
The waterworks, Stavros and Agii Deka
Into the woods to the old waterworks above Benitses, built to bring water to Corfu Town. Sir Frederick Adam stayed at San Stefano while they were being built, and the china he gave the family is still in the dining room. The path climbs on through forest and old olive terraces to the village of Stavros, and up to the mountain village of Agii Deka, on the Corfu Trail, with some of the widest lookouts on the island.
About 4 hours’ walking, round trip. Allow extra time for coffee or a meal in the village before the walk down.
The Corfu Trail
The island’s long-distance trail passes just above the house, so San Stefano makes a natural base for walking its southern stages.
When to come
The walking season
April, May and June, then September and October, when the hills are green, the wild flowers are out in spring and the days are cool enough to walk. These are also the quietest, best-value weeks at the house.
- Walk straight from the front door; no car needed
- Lookouts over the island, the sea and the mainland
- Forest, olive groves and hill villages
- A cook for the evening when you get back, on request
- Local walking guides, botanists and birders can be arranged
More walks and route maps
Every walk on this page, including two more to the hill villages of Makrata and Loukata, can be started on the trails right outside our gate.
The route maps open on AllTrails in a new tab. They are drawn from Benitses village; when you arrive we will show you where to join them from the gate.
Good to know
Some paths are steep and rocky, so bring proper walking shoes. Trails are shared with local farmers and their olive groves, so please close gates behind you. We can point you to the right route for your group on arrival.
Walking and nature groups are very welcome to take the whole house.
Plan a walking week
Tell us your dates and how many are walking. We reply within 24 hours.