 |
| From the coast to the hills and up to the mountains, every area of Cyprus offers a number of nature trails that will introduce nature lovers to the unspoiled face of Cyprus. Trails range from easy one-hour walks to more challenging hikes, and all offer a wonderful experience off the beaten track. For maps of the various trails, please visit your nearest CTO office.
|
|
National Forest Park Of Athalassa |
The National Forest Park of Athalassa is situated at the southeast edge of Lefkosia and covers an area of 840 hectares. A network of trails within the park measures 20 km in total. Points of interest along the various routes include a small water reservoir, the botanical gardens and the Park of Nations.
1. Agios Georgios (circular)
Starting point: Two parking lots.
The trail goes around the banks of the small reservoir of the same name.
Length: 2 km / Walking time: 1 hour
2. Agios Georgios – Botanical gardens
Starting point: A point on the southern side of the Agios Georgios reservoir.
Length: 2,5 km / Walking time: 1 hour
3. Botanical gardens - Picnic area at SW entrance
Starting point: Botanical Gardens
Length: 2,2 km / Walking time: 1 hour
4. Athalassa reservoir (circular)
Starting point: Picnic area at NW entrance
Length: 2,2 km / Walking time: 1 hour
5. Picnic area at NW entrance – Park of Nations
Starting point: NW entrance of picnic area (4 different routes)
Length: 2,5 km / Walking time: 1 hour
6. Park of Nations – Agios Georgios
Starting point: Park of Nations
Length: 2.5 km / Walking time: 1 hour
The 6 trails described above are part of a single circular trail with starting point either at the Agios Georgios picnic area or at the SE entrance.
Length: 10,5 km / Walking time: 4 hours
7. NW entrance of picnic area – Agios Georgios
Starting point: NW picnic area
Length: 4 km / Walking time: 2 hours
|
|
Troodos |
Troodos National Forest Park is at the centre of the island and covers an area of 9337 hectares. It is an enchanting area, which lends itself to various activities such as hiking, skiing, mountain biking, nature study and picnics. Ten different trails through the forest measure 50 km in total. Along the various routes you will come across interesting endemic flora, and enjoy some dramatic views across the central plain.
1. Artemis Trail
Starting point: 300 m from the junction between the Chionistra road and the Troodos-Prodromos road at an altitude of 1850 m.
Length: 7 km / Walking time: 2,5 hours
2. Atalanti Trail (circular)
Starting point: Troodos square
Length: 12 km / Walking time: 5 hours
The trail goes around the Chionistra summit at an altitude of 1700-1750 m.
3. Persephone Trail
Starting point: 150 m south of Troodos Square. Walkers must either return to the starting point or be picked up at the point where the trail crosses the forest road.
Length: 3 km / Walking time: 1 hour to return to starting point
4. Kampos tou Livadiou (circular)
Starting point: The forest road leading to “Kampos tou Livadiou” picnic site, 3 km from Troodos Square and 9 km from Karvounas.
Length: 3 km / Walking time: 1,5 hours
5. Kalidonia Falls
Starting point: About 700 m from the road between Troodos and Platres near the presidential summer residence.
Length: 3 km / Walking time: 1,5 hours
|
|
6. Psilo Dendro - Pouziaris
Starting point: The junction of the Platres - Mesa Potamos forest road and the Moniatis Platres - Troodos road near Psilo Dendro. Three different routes start from this point.
(a) Length: 8 km (circular) / Walking time: 3 hours
(b) Length: 7 km / Walking time: 3 hours
This walk can be extended by continuing on to Troodos Square.
Length: 9,5 km / Walking time: 4 hours
(c) Length: 5 km / Walking time: 2 hours
The trail follows the same course as the previous route, up towards Pouziaris and then takes a secondary forest road to Kryos Potamos. The walk can be extended by connecting to the Kalidonia trail, which starts at this point and leads back to Psilo Dendro.
Length: 8 km / Walking time: 3 hours.
7. Myllomeris Falls
Starting point: Opposite Platres Church
Length: 1,2 km / Walking time: 0,5 hours 8. Kalopanagiotis – Oikos
Starting point: Kalopanagiotis village
Length: 1,5 km / Walking time: 1 hour
9. Kampos tou Livadiou -
Agios Nikolaos tis stegis Church, Kakopetria
Starting point: Kampos tou Livadiou, 2 km from the Troodos Square on the road to Karvounas.
Length: 8 km / Walking time: 3,5 hours
10. Gerakies (circular)
Starting point: Top Trees Hotel (Gerakies)
Length: 4 km / Walking time: 2 hours |
|
Pitsilia |
Pitsilia is the mountainous region east of Troodos, marked by a rare natural beauty and a large variety of ecosystems and landscapes. The following 8 nature trails in the region are marked by beautiful views from high altitudes.
1. Doxasi o Theos – Madari Fire Station
Starting point: “Doxasi o Theos” (Glory to God), 2 km from Kyperounta and 5 km from Spilia.
Length: 3,75 km / Walking time: 2 hours
2. Teisia tis Madaris
Starting point: The end of the previous trail.
Length: 3 km / Walking time: 1,5 hours
3. Lagoudera – Agros
Starting point: The trail begins at the country road at Lagoudera under the “Koukkides” cafeteria, continues past the Polystypos – Lagoudera – Madari crossroad, then along a loose surface road for 2,6 km and reaches the Madari-Papoutsas mountain crest.
From the fork at this point you have two options:
(a) One side leads down the hill towards the Agros dam and ends at the village.
Length: 6 km / Walking time: 2,5 hours
(b) The other follows a course along the crest and continues on a secondary road which leads to the Madari Fire Station.
Length: 6,7 km / Walking time: 3 hours
4. Panagia tou Araka (Lagoudera) –
Stavros tou Agiasmati
Starting point: Lagoudera or Stavros tou Agiasmati, 3 km from Platanistasa.
Length: 7 km / Walking time: 3 hours
The church of Panagia tou Araka (1192 AD) and that of Stavros tou Agiasmati (1494 AD) are both know for their beautiful wall paintings.
5. Agros – Kato Mylos (circular)
Starting point: Near the Hotel “Rodon” in Agros village.
Length: 5 km / Walking time: 2 hours
6. «Petros Vanezis» Alona (circular)
Starting point: On the main street of the village of Alona near the Youth Centre.
Length: 1,5 km / Walking time: 0,5 hours
7. Agia Eirini – Spilies tou Digeni
(Caves of Digenis)
Starting point: The village of Agia Eirini.
Length: 3,2 km / Walking time: 1,5 hours
The trail ends at the Caves of Digenis, which were used as a hiding place by the fighters in the 1955-59 struggle for independence.
8. Asinou – Agios Theodoros
Starting point: The chapel of Asinou.
Length: 4 km / Walking time: 2 hours
The church of Asinou with its famous frescoes has been declared by UNESCO as a monument of World Cultural Heritage.
|
| |
| |
|
Stavros Tis Psokas |
|
The Forest Station at Stavros tis Psokas lies in the heart of the Pafos forest, the largest and most beautiful pine forest (pinus brutia) of the island. At the station there is a hostel, a cafeteria and an organised picnic site. Nearby there is an enclosure where you can admire the renowned Ovis gmelini ophion (Cyprus Moufflon). The well-known Cedar Valley is 19 km further on. Three nature trails cross this area.
1. Horteri Trail (circular)
Starting point: “Platanouthkia” site, about midway on the Stavros tis Psokas - Selladi tou Stavrou road.
Length: 5 km / Walking time: 2 hours
2. Selladi tou Stavrou Trail (circular)
Starting point: Selladi tou Stavrou
Length: 2,6 km / Walking time: 1 hour
3. Selladi tou Stavrou - Heliport
Starting point: Selladi tou Stavrou
Length: 1,9 km / Walking time: 1 hour
|
|
Kyparissia - Germasogeia Dam |
| Kyparissia is situated between the forest road which links Foinikaria with Prastio and the public Akrounta - Dierona road, about 10 km from Lemesos. The most interesting feature of the area is the Kyparissia river with its steep banks. 1. Kyparissia - Germasogeia Dam
Starting point: Mouttis tis Kyparissias. Access is via forest roads near the village of Foinikaria.
There are two routes
(a) Circular
Length: 3,7 km / Walking time: 2 hours
(b) Leading to Germasogeia Dam
Length: 3,8 km / Walking time: 2 hours 2. Germasogeia Dam
Starting point: A track leading to Prastio via Foinikaria on the east side of the Germasogeia Dam.
Length: 1,35 km Walking time: 0,5 hours
Fishing in the dam is allowed only by permission from the Fisheries Department.
|
|
Akamas |
Akamas is the peninsula at the westernmost point of Cyprus. It is an area of incomparable natural beauty and an ideal place for walking, cycling, swimming, diving, fishing, exploring, cruising with small boats and bird watching.
1. Aphrodite Trail (circular)
Starting point: Baths of Aphrodite
Length: 7,5 km / Walking time: 3 hours
2. Adonis Trail (circular)
Starting point: Baths of Aphrodite
Length: 7,5 km / Walking time: 3 hours
3. Smigies Trail (circular)
Starting point: Smigies picnic site, 2,5 km from Neo Chorio
Length: 2,5 km / Walking time: 1 hour (short route)
Length: 5 km / Walking time: 2 hours (long route)
4. Pissouromouttis Trail (circular)
Starting point: Smigies picnic site
Length: 3 km / Walking time: 1,5 hours
5. Kathikas Trail (circular)
Starting point: 1 km from Kathikas towards Pegeia, near “Kyparissos” restaurant.
Length: 2 km / Walking time: 1 hour
|
|
Machairas Forest – Lefkara |
Kato Drys – Vavatsinia
The 4 trails in this area are near the picturesque villages of Lefkara, Kato Drys, Vavatsinia and the area of Kionia in the Machairas Forest.
1. Kionia - Profitis Elias
Starting point: Kionia picnic site. Accessible either from Vavatsinia or from the Machairas Monastery road which leads to Kionia.
Length: 7 km / Walking time: 3 hours
The trail leads down to the Monastery of Profitis Elias (Prophet Elijah) where there is a drinking water spring.
2. Vavatsinia (Spilia tis Athasias)
Starting point: A loose surface road which begins at the Vavatsinia-Kionia forest road, 3 km outside Vavatsinia.
Length: 2 km / Walking time: 1 hour
3. Lefkara Chapel of the Transfiguration (circular)
Starting point: In the village of Lefkara, on the road to Vavatsinia. An uphill course to the chapel, which eventually leads back to the village.
Length: 3 km / Walking time: 1,5 hours
4. Lefkara - Kato Drys
Starting point: The same as trail no. 3. After the chapel, the trail follows a different path down to Kato Drys.
Length: 2,5 km / Walking time: 1 hour
|
|
Cavo Greko |
A National Forest Park at the southeastern end of the island between Agia Napa and Paralimni. This area of unique natural beauty will satisfy a wide range of interests such as swimming, diving, paragliding, fishing, rowing, cycling, riding, climbing, air sports and hiking. There are nine nature trails in the Cavo Greko - Paralimni area.
1. Konnoi - Spilia Kyklopa (Cyclop’s Cave)
Starting point: Konnoi Beach
Length: 2,4 km / Walking time: 1 hour
2. Konnoi - Agioi Anargyroi Church
Starting point: Konnoi Beach
Length: 1,4 km / Walking time: 0,5 hours
3. Agioi Anargyroi (circular)
Starting point: Church of Agioi Anargyroi
Length: 2,3 km / Walking time: 1 hour
4. Agioi Anargyroi - Thalassines Spilies (Sea Caves)
Starting point: Church of Agioi Anargyroi
Length: 4 km / Walking time: 2 hours
5. Thalassines Spilies - Sea Caves (circular)
Starting point: Agia Napa - Cavo Greko road, 6 km east of Agia Napa.
Length: 3,6 km / Walking time: 2 hours
Note: This walk along the coast is very steep and craggy at certain points.
6. Kavos
Starting point: Old quarry, parking area
Length: 2,5 km / Walking time: 1 hour
7. Profitis Elias - Konnoi Beach
Starting point: The little church of the Prophet Elijah. Access from the Cavo Greko -Paralimni Road. The trail leads to Konnoi Beach.
Length: 8,5 km / Walking time: 3 hours
8. Panagia - Agioi Saranta
Starting point: Church of Panagia (the Virgin) 300 metres left of the Cavo Greko - Protaras Road to the Church of Agioi Saranta.
Length: 2,5 km / Walking time: 1 hour
|
|
