Swift

While Homer writes that 'Athena' tells Telemachos to go home, we can interpret that as Telemachos lying awake, thinking about returning home and how to deal with the suitors:

When you arrive at the neatest shore of Ithaca, send your ship with all your companions up to the city, but you yourself go first to the dwelling of the pig herder, he who looks out for your pigs.

Odussey Book 15 line 34-37 Barry B Powell
Odussey Book 15 line 539-542 Barry B Powell

If you want to avoid being seen and possibly killed it's generally a smart move to sneak in under the radar and seek support from an ally. As discussed earlier Telemachos sets off for the nearest shore, where he's dropped off in the early hours of the morning on December 18th. Like Odysseus before him, he heads for Eumaios, the pig herder. The first part of the trip is straightforward, there's only one road from Syvota up to the main road.

The smooth path

Then, there are two options, a shorter, steeper path and a marginally longer but smoother one, which we thought might be quickest. I walked this path with a friend, turning right from the main road.

Look what we found!

His swiftly feet carried Telemachos forward until he came to the court where his countless pigs were, among which his good pig herder customarily slept, who held such a high opinion of his masters.

Syvota

Nearest shore

Rodaki