| Mount Enos, at a staggering 1600m, almost 5,000 feet, dominates Kefalonia. Almost anywhere you go on the island, Enos seems to creep into view. With its ragged canopy of pines, Abies cephalonica which are peculiar to the island, Enos is so high that it can even have snow on its sumit as late as May. All the more skriking when, only a matter of few kilometres away on the coast, the temperature can be in the 30s.
A walk on Kefalonia's Black Mountain, as the Venetians called it, is a real antidote the hot and often dry landscapes below.
Enos teems with bird life (over 50% of all of Greece's birds can be seen here) some of which can be quite large. Raptors, such as buzzards and owls are common, although many of these predators only appear in the winter. On rare occasions, huge Griffon vultures, the flying bedsteads of bird life, can be glimpsed wheeling high overhead or the equally rare Egyptian Vulture, Lanner or Sakar Falcons. The Black Woodpecker, the biggest woodpecker in Europe, with its distinctive red head, is more likely to heard than seen as it prefers deep forest for cover.
Rabbits, moles, martins, hedgehogs, rats, foxes and badgers make up a motely crew of mammals.
With its high altitude ecosystem, Enos has many alpine plants, violets, campanulas and saponaria. It is, however, the fir trees with their otherwordly, eerie quality that steal the show.
There are many ways to walk Enos. For the hard-core walker, there is a trail which leads up from near Digaleto on the northern flank or else the road which quickly becomes a track as it enters the national park. For most visitors the best way to get to Enos is by car, to drive up to the gates of the park, or further if you have a 4x4 and are brave enough, and then to get out and have a wander. Be warned however, it can get really chilly up here and your shorts or bikini top will give scant protection against Enos's chill wind.
For a half day out and a different take on Kefalonia, Enos makes a wonderful change. And if you've got prickly heat...it's a life-saver! |
| Most visitors who come to wander the slopes of Kefalonia's giant do so by car. Only the tough toil up from the hot-land below. The journey time from Argostoli, Kefalonia's capital, will take about an hour. Get more information
A good, full day out would be a trip to the Omala Valley, and the monastery, a spot of Robolla wine tasting in the local Coop nearby (which is not always the best robolla however), followed by a picnic on Enos. The evening could be spent in the fabulous and carniverous Hersonas taverna in Troyanata, home to some of Kefalonia's best flesh. P.s. You order your meat by the Kilo! Why not treat yourself to a car hire whilst you're on Kefalonia so you get the most out of your visit. Click here for Kefalonia Car Hire |
Mount Enos towers above the Omala valley 
tiny crocus of Enos 
