This is the view from our home The Goat Bell in Haradiatica. We decided to drive to the highest mountain peak you can see to take in the extensive views of the Ionian Islands. A drive to an isolated area for mountain fresh air and exercise seems to be the safest activity choice during lockdown.
Before onset I would advise travelling in a 4x4 or high wheel based vehicle. The roads eventually become tracks that are badly damaged by neglect and weather conditions.
This road climbs high above Lefkada with plenty of tight hairpin bends in 2nd and sometimes 1st gear.
On our left was a sign for Hermitage of the Avio Pateres. This monastery is partially built into the rock face and a caved shrine is accessible to view inside.
Continue on this road then take a left turn at the sign for Dryodasos Skaron.
This road slowly continues to climb through green forest areas but the road then becomes a rough track, precarious in some places. The landscape changes into outcrops of rock and opens out into an area where there are two large goat sheds. Continuing a steady climb the landscape changes again to an area of oak trees native to this area of Lefkada; twisted and gnarled it gives the look of a pretty enchanted fairytale forest.
The track continues to its peak, where the mast predominantly stands above Lefkada.
The extensive views of the Ionian islands is breathtaking and the photos from my mobile phone on this cloudy day do not do it justice.
Skorpios Island (Centre) and Meganisi Island.
Kastos Island (far right)
Tranquil Bay and Vliho Bay
Nidri (foreground) Geni (left)
Snowcapped mainland Greece and Varko Bay (One Tree Bay)
"I'm on the top of the world looking down on creation."
The track does continue down the far side of the mountain but we were advised of very precarious driving conditions so we returned the way we came, back to the main road and then turned left to take a route home via the village of Alexandros, down to Perigiali taking in the picnic views of Tranquil Bay and Vliho bay.
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