THE HIGH POINT

From the top you can see Italy

Imerovigli is the highest point of the island at 393 metres. A signposted trail leads up from Chorio — 1.2 km, moderately challenging, rocky in places. At the top the view opens completely.

How to get here

The climb

The trail starts near Chorio and is signposted. It is 1.2 km, and the difficulty is moderate rather than easy — the terrain is rocky and open, so there is little shade on the way up.

What you get at the top is the whole island below you, the Ionian on one side and the Adriatic on the other, and on a clear day the coast of Italy. That is the thing worth walking for. Othoni is the closest Greek island to Italy, and from up here you can see it.

Go early or go late. In the middle of a summer day the open terrain is hard work and the haze usually closes the long view anyway.

The other walk worth doing is out to the lighthouse at Cape Kastri, the northwesternmost light in Greece. The places on the island, one by one.

The walk

What to expect.

How long does it take?

The climb itself is 1.2 km from Chorio. Allow longer than the distance suggests — it is uphill, rocky underfoot, and you will stop at the top.

How hard is it?

Moderate. Not technical, but rocky and exposed, with no shade on the open sections. Proper shoes matter more than fitness. Take water; there is none on the route.

When can you actually see Italy?

On clear days, most reliably in the morning or after rain has cleared the air. Summer haze often hides it completely, so do not count on it.

The other trails

The old kalderimi to Chorio, the Fokies coastal path, the route past the lighthouse to Kanoula. A guide to walking the island.

Read the walking guide