| This cycle map is intended as a rough guide to the region of Livathos, the market garden region of Kefalonia.
If all that lying around on the beach is making you feel unhealthy, the Livathos region offers a wealth of possibilities for the reasonably fit. Bikes can be hired in Lassi where you'll need to do six km before you enter the region. Alternatively, you could do some of it by bus, car or on foot.
A far cry from the barren, maquis-covered hills just to the south of Lassi, Livathos is rich, green and fertile. Orange, lemon and olive groves can make the air almost perfumed in the summer months and the trees give welcome shade from the sun. There are numerous small villages to explore like Svoronata, Domata, Kalligata and, most interesting of all, Kourkoumelata and Metaxata. It's a bit of a haul up to these last two villages but the views and the history make it all worthwhile.
Kourkoumelata is a candy-box of a village rebuilt by the wealthy Vergotis family after the 1953 earthquake. Keeping the gardens looking beautiful was all the family asked for in exchange for the price of rebuilding. They also threw in a free water supply. Metaxata was where romantic poet, Lord Byron penned Don Juan, before heading off to fight for Greek independance and his death in the 1823. A plaque commemorates the spot where his house once stood.
For the even more adventurous, cycling can take you as far as Spartia and Keramies. Take a towel with you when you go as there are lots of great beaches like Avithos along this coast where you'll see far fewer tourists than Lassi. Whichever way you decide to take in the Livathos region, it is certainly one of the most suprising and delightful corners of the island.
Why not treat yourself to the Kefalonia Digital Information Pack which includes all the trails for the island, together with eight wildlife booklets. Download the Kefalonia Digital Information Pack |
| Cycling is great, but you must make the 6km or so from Lassi to get into the region proper.
Do not overdo it and take it easy on yourself (after all yu are on holiday and no longer in a protestant country) with lots of getting off and wandering around. You could easily give this region two days of your time. Alternatively, many of the metropolitan buses come through this region via Kourkoumelata and Metaxata. Just get off and wander around in the knowledge that there are buses throughout the day. Check the bus stops in Lassi for more information regarding times. |
bee bonanza, the flowers of Livathos 
loads of lovely lemons 
