AtCorfu Travel Blog

Next, to Korission Lake there is a small cedar forest that separates the two large sandy beaches of Chalikouna and Issos.

It was the spring of 2015, the first of May, long before the hot summer, when a group of friends decided to visit a tavern in the area of Chalikouna.
The one who had the idea insisted that before we go for lunch we should make a nice walk, as he called it, inside the cedar forest up to the beach of Issos.

Besides, walking is good and opens up the appetite.

Between Chalikounas and Issos – Inside the cedar forest

So we left our cars at the end of the road along Halikouna, in the mouth of the lagoon at the point where the lake joins the sea, and we passed by a small and a little dangerous old wooden bridge we entered the path just next to the waters of the lake.

The Korission Lagoon is a very rich wetland and a place where local people fish, Very small shrimps abound in these waters as well as many species of fish.

Wherever there are shrimps and fish offspring, there are also birds and other not very friendly species, like mosquitoes spiders, etc…

As soon as we entered the path I immediately realized that I had to take great care when talking or breathing, due to mosquitoes which were millions around our faces and sting badly.

I asked my friend if we came to walk or to feed the mosquitoes.

We had no choice but to move quickly to get to the other side.

After a while, we left the mosquito trail and walked further into the forest.

Here beside the mosquitoes, there were many snakes, the viper of Corfu is local and venomous, so our driver went forward by striking the ground with his legs and a long reed to drive away from the snakes that could be under the roots of the trees into the sand.

In the branches of lush vegetation were hanging spiders small and large and various strange and somehow unknown species of nice insects that best not to sting you …

After one kilometer of a fast and difficult journey, as the feet sank into the sand, the trees gave away to the better ground with sand and shrubs, only another 500 yards separated us from the beach.

There was a big effort during this walk, therefore, unfortunately, I never think to take some pictures, so the only photo here is the one from google earth that shows exactly where the forest is and the locations around it.

At the end of the footpath, I was shrieking from the mosquito bites and all I was thinking about was how to go back.

The women of the company, on the contrary, threw it all and fell into the sea!

For the return, I decided what I should do and I dug in the sea too, temporarily forgetting walking which is not of my favorite habits.

After an hour we were ready to return.

I’ll wait for you in the cars, I said to the others and then I took a deep breath and start a fast walk, almost running.

I did not even feel bumps or anything, in three minutes I made the distance and waited for the others to reach.

Despite difficulties, the whole experience was beautiful

This is the cedar in Korission Lake, beautiful, and wild but with millions of missiles-like mosquitos thirsty for blood.

I can not hide, of course, despite itching and swelling, the whole experience was beautiful, especially after the restaurant where we enjoyed every dish and every moment.

All this narration can discourage some others from doing this, but eventually, after a while, I realized that it was a very beautiful experience after all, and maybe if I have the opportunity I’ll do it again soon.

The photo shows the path with a red line, try it yourself!