This day stays on the western side of Acarnania for a long time. From Palairos, the road heads south, first with Lefkada behind you, later with Kalamos offshore. Mytikas sits between the sea and the Acarnanian mountains; the village faces Kalamos and belongs to a Natura 2000 landscape. After that comes Astakos, a harbour town tucked into a sheltered bay, before the route turns away from the Ionian Sea. The middle of the stage is quieter: low hills, olive trees, smaller roads, few settlements. The finish changes the whole day. Near Aitoliko, the route reaches the lagoon country, then runs into Mesolongi: flat, salty, with open water, reeds, fishing huts and salt pans around town.
