San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => Out and About => Topic started by: Gordonc on June 14, 2010, 11:23:16 AM

Title: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: Gordonc on June 14, 2010, 11:23:16 AM
The cliff path this year seems to have suffered more erosion during the winter and at one point around halfway up the cliff side is down to around two metres wide. My wife kindly pointed out after I had sprinted over it that there was quite a large crack at that point. Knew I should have lost weight before we came!!

There is also a bit near the start where you have to cross a very small gully and I have a feeling the path may not be accessible next year on it's present route. I think they'll have to take it inland a little and some of the undergrowth had in fact been cleared but I don't know if that was related to the erosion problem.
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: tonyco1 on June 14, 2010, 11:31:37 PM
Thanks for that Gordon - bit worrying that crack!!
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: Jimbo on June 28, 2010, 10:07:52 AM
There's a nice little cabin on the top of the ridge not far from the chapel, run by Yannis, who cooks at the Athena. Good views in a garden with olive trees and vegetables growing. Little slide for kids. Cold beer for mums and dads!
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: tonyco1 on June 29, 2010, 12:11:35 AM
Keep off the slide Jim!! is this at the top of the Hill by the White memorial with the cross on it?
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: don on July 10, 2010, 09:53:07 PM
The path has deteriorated since last year. In one or two places it is down to about 18" wide but it still didn't stop the idiots on Quads who were racing up from Arilas! 
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: tonyco1 on July 14, 2010, 12:53:00 AM
Soon be an accident then Don!!
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: swedebasher on October 04, 2010, 12:01:23 PM
Whilst there I found out from an environmentalist who lived locally why all this is happening. The tectonic plate that Corfu etc sits on is slowly slipping underneath the adjacent one, and that is why the beach is disappearing at Arillas (where you can obviously see it), and SS (where you cannot really see it- but it is nonetheless). In over 20 odd years of going there I have never seen the Arillas beach so small, a photo I have of 1991 makes that fact shockingly clear. The environmentalist said that at this rate the breakers will be on the other side of the beach road in some years time. The cliff path is being constantly undermined and I reckon it is one more cliff fall from being impassable. Even the naturists were having a hard time (no pun intended) finding somewhere to go!!
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: tonyco1 on October 05, 2010, 03:50:21 AM
Seems to imply that west Corfu is sinking a touch - worrying!
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: Sandra W on October 06, 2010, 01:28:08 AM
I know nature cannot be held back but would really miss my walks to Arillas. Love the cliff path out and roadway home. Hope they can cut a new path.
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: tonyco1 on October 06, 2010, 10:16:51 PM
I don't think that will be an issue, as they seem to have already started to do that from the other year,
It's more worrying if the sea level is rising because The tectonic plate that Corfu etc;
sits on, is slowly slipping underneath the adjacent one, as per Swedebashers post.
If it sinks under, this 'may' mean that the land sinks a touch,
rising sea levels can then occur and take our wonderful beach in the end!
That is my worry, plus earthquakes can occur as well - fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: Jimbo on October 10, 2010, 09:17:03 PM
The slip rate is about 10-14 millimetres per year, but the direction is not clear because of the various faults lines.

The locals actual say that the beaches come and go as a result of storm weather. The SS beach is much wider at the north end now than it was in July, and not much different towards the south.

Arrilas beach is almost non-existent - down to about a yard at high tide. The village has apparently had a disastrous season, whereas SS has had a very good season.

Really, on very shallow shorelines one can expect the sand to move.

I suspect there will be plenty of beach for a long time.
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: tonyco1 on October 11, 2010, 02:00:43 AM
We'd best not "beach" about it then!! LOL

(Hope so Jim)!!
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: swedebasher on November 25, 2010, 07:26:39 PM
Been some mighty rough seas of late, has Lesley any news of what things are like beach/walk in Arillas??
Title: Re: Cliff path to Arillas
Post by: tonyco1 on November 25, 2010, 11:32:54 PM
I heard that they were thinking of re-aligning the path further away from the cliff edge - any news?