Ithaca Trail 14B

Wonderful mountain trail that visually runs through the entire basin of Northern Ithaca and leads to the Rousanos plateau. Exit Exogi and enter the dirt street before the last houses of the village. The first part of the route, wide and almost horizontal, is Diastra. This is where the women of Exogi used to make cloth for the loom. The route descends, turns into cobblestones and through Kleisouri, a ravine with heavy vegetation, takes you out onto the asphalt road.

You go right, uphill, and after a while you meet on your left the path that leads to Russano, the main access road to the plateau - to this day there is no highway leading there. The path crosses the eastern slope of the mountain and is well passable, with alternating smooth uphill and downhill slopes. Some steep sections are paved. All around, the steep slope has been shaped by superimposed terraces on arable land. The vegetation at the beginning is woody, with cypresses, oaks etc. and then it thins out and consists of low bushes.

The views change in acharming way: At first you see the bay of Afalos and Platreithia, later the little port of Frikes and gradually the beautiful settlement of Stavros unfolds, under the wooded Nirito. Suddenly, from a natural "balcony" of the mountain, you see almost under your feet the enchanting bay of Poli and in the distance the channel of Keffalonia. Scents of the mountain, including thyme and sage accompany the hikers, until at some point, on your left you will see a vine. You are in Roussano! This point is called Santa Marina and is considered the first settlement on the mountain. Walk towards the western side of the plateau, cross the olive groves and from a large threshing floor you will enjoy the view of Kefalonia and the open sea!