Sunflower Complete Series: ZAKYNTHOS, 3rd edition (2011)

Updated 09/10/2011

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Updates for the walks and car tours (drives) given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book and want to "upgrade" to the latest edition at half price, click here.)

Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably in hard copy, by post, to Sunflower Books, PO Box 115, Exeter EX2 6YU (or if you prefer, by e-mail, to mail@sunflowerbooks.co.uk)

FOREST FIRES, IMPORTANT: The mountains have been burning for the last 12 hours. The main impacted area is Agios Leon and the surrounding mountains. It is a major fire, with houses and livestock being affected. It is therefore likely that the Korakonisi, Loucha, Agalas and Vrachionas walks may have had some damage along sections - so it is worth warning people, and warning them to take care. We have had no rain this summer so the risk of more fires is very high. (The Author, 8/11)

Fire is a serious problem on Zakynthos and across the Mediterranean. Statistics indicate only 1% of fires in the Mediterranean are due to natural causes each summer. The Forestry Departments throughout Greece have not documented all forests, and as a result some local people burn wooded areas so that they cannot be claimed as forests and subject to different agricultural or development regulations. This means that large tracts of land burn each summer. Almost every walk in the book is at a different stage of regeneration following fires within the last 20 years. Maquis habitats usually regenerate within 3-5 years, however traditional plant species such as carob are usually lost forever. In theory the coastline between Gerakas-Daphni should be protected carob-olive maquis vegetation, however it is seriously degraded due to it being subject to fire almost every 5 years. The area between Marathia and Keri was burnt in 2007, but it will take many years for the pines to regenerate. In fact, towering oak trees were the original species of this headland, and only a few stands remain. In 2008 vast tracks of mountains between Keri and Kiliomenos were burnt. Until all land is properly documented (i.e. ordinance survey maps; detailed habitat maps do not exist in Greece, only for some existing Natura 2000 habitats), fire will continue to be a problem. There is a fantastic wealth of orchids and flowers in the spring following the fires.] (Author)

BUSES: The north of the island (where all the major sights are located), is very poorly served by bus. There is the Askos Stone Park, for example, but there is only one bus per week to go there, and that leaves the main tourist area at 1pm, which is tremendously hot, and is not a good time to visit the park at all. (User, 8/08) [The author replies: Askos was not included in the book as I strongly disagree with the way it is promoted and the conditions in which the animals are kept there.]

GPS: Free waypoint downloads are available for all the walks. Click on the link above to go to the main page for the book, where you can download all the waypoints, as well as files to use with Google Earth.

Walk 1: Unfortunately a fire was set to the Vassilikos area during the first week of October. Only one part of this walk was burnt, the track leading from the hills/woods down to the sea (point 6 down to point 9 - not 7 or 8). (Author, 10/11)

Walk 2: Unfortunately a fire was set to the Daphni-Gerakas area during the first week of October. This walk is damaged from point B to 7 (Author, 10/11)

Walk 3: We were disappointed to find that the Sea Turtle Exhibition centre has closed down. This exhibition
centre is referred to on your Walk 3 diagram and the pull-out map in the back of the guide book. (User, 7/11) + The exhibition centre at Daphni has not closed down, I have just confirmed it with the park authority. However, on some days the personnel that work there must attend the main office in town. It is important to keep in mind that things are currently extremely difficult in Greece and, for example, the NMPZ personnel have not been paid by the Greek government since last October. Therefore many businesses, private and public, may not be operating as normal all of the time. (Author, 7/11)

Walk 15: Unfortunately a fire was set to this area during the first week of October: point 1 to 4/5 has been burnt. (Author, 7/11)
 
Walk 16: Unfortunately a fire was set to this area during the first week of October: point 1 to 7 has been burnt. (Author, 7/11)
 
Walk 17: Unfortunately a fire was set to this area during the first week of October: everything from point 5/6 across to C has been completely incinerated. The Limnionas taverna is still open, but everything around it has been burnt (right up to the doorstep), and the same is true for Porto Roxa. (Author, 7/11)