KYQ4: Mount Pantokrator, Corfu

Friday, 25 July 2025

Mount Pantokrator, Corfu

Mount Pantokrator on ascent

Friday, 25 July 2025

Ascent: 450 metres
Distance: 11 kilometres
Time: 2 hours 48minutes

Mount Pantokrator 909 m 1hr 28mins

At 909 metres, Corfu's highest mountain wouldn't quite qualify as a Munro, but it is nearby, and it is my tradition to climb the highest mountain on any island that is visited. It was to be the hottest day of the holiday, and the temperature was to rise to 42°C. We started at 6:30am for the 8-kilometre drive to Old Pethithia, the oldest and highest village, at 450metres, on the island. Gregor was to run it, and my intention was to walk up as far as the ridge at 650 metres, from where I could view the island and the nearby shores of the Albanian Riviera. I doubted that my groin strain and aching legs would take me any further.

It was still cool, and the morning breeze made ideal conditions for the walk as Gregor ran off in pursuit of the summit. I found the narrow marked path that twists its way through the limestone and burnt-bark olive trees; Gregor missed it and ended up on convoluted dusty trails for 13 kilometres to the summit. The path emerged on a higher trail road that took a more direct route to the summit. I decided to head along, expecting to meet Gregor on his descent, at which stage I would turn back. I was walking more easily than expected, and unexpectedly met Gregor at a junction just 1.4 kilometres below the summit. He was still running his ascent but had done an extra 7 kilometres. I decided that the final section involving a climb of 220 metres along a metalled road was worth the effort. Two cyclists pedalled past on sections that made Mont Ventoux look easy; my shouts of 'Allez' were probably not appreciated.

The summit was a disappointment, with a collection of phone masts, a mini Eiffel Tower and fencing around the high point. Gregor was chatting to the cyclists and was ready to run down. There was no place selling drinks, contrary to the blurb about the summit. I scrounged a mouthful of water before beginning the 5 kilometres of descent as the morning heat began to intrude. I was down shortly after 9am. The car battery was flat from overuse of the air conditioning, but a friendly local from somewhere in the Midlands of England was on hand with some jump leads and advice on the restaurants in Old Perithia that we hope to return to this evening. We were back at the villa by 10am, desperate for a litre of water to revive our dehydrated bodies. It was already 38°C.