Mount “Pantokratoras” (Almighty) is located on the north eastern part of Corfu Island and has a maximum altitude of 920m (3018ft). Up there we will enjoy the spectacular view of the hole Island of Corfu and the sea straights between Albania and Greece.
Our Hike involves going up that mountain starting from village “Meggoulas” and proceeding to the big cave of “Grava”. After a small drink break, we will then procced downwards on our way meeting the historic 'Heritage Protected’ village of “Old Peritheia”, in “A Designated Area of Natural Beauty” that was a winner of "TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence” in 2016-2018.
The village of “Old Peritheia” is the oldest example of the original mountain villages of Corfu. Records date back to the mid-14th century, although it is considered to have been inhabited many centuries before.
Around 130 houses were built, entirely by hand, some of which have now fallen into ruins & many of which are now under restoration. The village, once inhabited by approximately 1200 people, was one of the wealthiest on the island, surrounded by vines, oak trees and thousands of sheep that roamed across the mountainside.
To this day, with its cobbled streets & ancient houses, the atmosphere retains its warmth & friendliness.
Encircled by eight churches & nestling beneath the island's highest mountains, Old Peritheia is set amidst beautiful countryside with views to the sea, it was once a hideaway from Pirate attacks. Back in those days, the 'best land' was in the mountains and land by the sea as practically worthless and unsuitable for farming etc. That all changed when tourism began to get a foothold in the 1950s-60s, and the village population migrated to the new-found wealth & jobs in tourism.