LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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WHAT TO PACK FOR THE CORFU TRAIL: A COMPLETE GUIDE.

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Packing for the Corfu Trail is a fine balance between carrying what you need and keeping your bag as light as possible. This isn’t a trek where you need to haul camping gear or winter layers, but it is ten (or more) days of daily walking in heat, so every item you choose will make a difference to how enjoyable your hike is.

Before we walked the trail in September, I’d put a lot of thought into what would be necessary to pack, what would make my trip better, and what I absolutely didn’t need.

Here’s my complete Corfu Trail packing list, with some hard-earned tips along the way.

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The Right Backpack

Size: A 30–40 litre pack is more than enough. Honestly, you don’t need anything bigger. We met people with 60 litre packs and of course, they had filled them (honestly, I don’t know what with.)

Brand: We both use 30L Osprey packs (lifetime guarantee, comfortable fit, great design).

Extras: Bring a rain cover for your bag, storms do happen, even in Greece.

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Footwear

Trail shoes/trainers: We wore HOKAs (Speedgoats for John, Challengers for me) and found them perfect, lightweight, breathable, and less oppressive in the heat than heavy boots.

Hiking boots: Not strictly necessary unless you really need ankle support. Lots of people wore them, but I was grateful for cooler feet in trainers.

Socks: 2–3 pairs of good wool hiking socks. Wash daily, rotate, and keep one dry pair for backup.

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Clothing

Hiking Clothes

Stick to the “one to wear, one to wash” rule – because you’ll be washing every night anyway. Quick-dry, sweat-wicking fabrics are key.

• 2 pairs of shorts
• 2 t-shirts or tops (I avoided sleeveless for this route as I didn’t want too much sun on my shoulders.)
• 2 sports bras
• 2–3 pairs of underwear (always pack an extra, just for luck)
• 2–3 pairs of hiking socks

Don’t wear cotton. It gets heavy, stays wet, and chafes.

Afternoon/Evening Clothes

After a sweaty morning on the trail, you’ll want something fresh and lightweight to change into. Think holiday wear, not hiking gear.

• I packed three summer dresses (two would have been better tbh – one for the beach, one for evenings.)
• John brought smart shorts and a t-shirt.

And, flip flops or sandals are ideal to help your feet recover in the evening. Plus, let’s face it, hiking shoes don’t look great with a dress!

Layers

• A lightweight sweater or cardigan for cooler evenings.
• A light waterproof jacket (you won’t need a heavy one, but a shower is possible).

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Sun Protection

This is the most important part of your kit. The heat and UV are intense on Corfu.

• Sunscreen: Waterproof SPF 50. You’ll reapply often.
• Hat: A cap or wide-brimmed hat for shade.
• Sunglasses: Polarised if possible, but we’ve never gone in for the “hiking sunglasses” thing, regular ones do just fine!
• Light sun layer: A thin long-sleeved top can help if you’re prone to burning.
• Electrolytes: Recommended for hot days. I’ve never sweated quite so much as on this trail. Add them to your water to replace salts.
• Umbrella: We didn’t carry one, but we met someone who used a sun umbrella for shade. Quirky, but it works if you like the idea and don’t mind carrying it.

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Swimming & Beach Gear

One of the unique joys of the Corfu Trail is daily swims. Pack so you can reach your beach kit easily.

• Swimwear
• Quick-dry trek towel (we used ours daily)
• Flip flops/sandals (optional but nice for evenings and the beach)
• A small canvas shopper bag: brilliant for carrying your bits to the beach and doubling as an evening handbag.

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Toiletries & Personal Items

Keep these minimal – your hotels will have soap, and you don’t need full-size bottles.

• Travel shampoo/conditioner, hairbrush, razor, toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant
• Small cosmetics if you want them (I kept mine very light – a bit of lippie and mascara)
• Sunscreen (again, worth repeating!)
• Bug spray/ mosquito repellent: the number one essential. Pack or buy a bottle when you arrive (it’s not expensive in Corfu.)
• Bite relief: a clicker, gel, or tablets if you react badly.
• Hair ties and a sweat band: although most of the time I had a hat on, a sweatband/hairband helped.

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Electronics & Documents

• Battery pack / power bank (lifesaver if you use GPS apps on your phone)
• Phone + charger + European adapter
• Headphones
• Passport
• Debit/credit card + a little cash (most places take cards, but small cafes may prefer cash)

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First Aid & Health

You don’t need a full kit, but a few basics are handy in case you need them on the trail:

• Plasters
• Compeed (blister plasters)
• Painkillers (paracetamol/ibuprofen)
• Antihistamine tablets
• Diarrhoea relief tablets

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Extras That Made a Difference

• Pack of cards (we always take one, perfect for evenings over wine)
• Notebook/journal (lovely for capturing the trail while it’s fresh)
• PJs (or just something comfortable to sleep in if you have aircon on)

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Final Thoughts on Packing

Walking the Corfu Trail is sweaty, sunny, and sometimes tough, but that makes packing light even more important. With a 30–40 litre bag, the essentials above, and a little discipline about laundry, you’ll have everything you need without carrying unnecessary weight.

My advice? Prioritise sun protection, comfort, and bug spray. Beyond that, the simpler you keep it, the more you’ll enjoy the trail.

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.

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