Places of interest :: Mountain Resorts

Nothing could be more dramatically different from Mediterranean beach life, that the impressive mountain range that streches across the centre of Cyprus and reaches up to 1.952 metres at Chionistra, the highest point of Mount Olympos. Admiring panoramic vistas and breathing the cool, pine-scented air makes a heady change from the coasts and plains which are only a relative short drive away.
There's plenty to see in these mountains and there are scenic walks to take, a great variety of interesting birds and flora to be seen, waterfalls and special picnic sites, and above all, there are villages of immeasurable charm to wander round, or simply to dally in and observe the unhurried pace of rustic country life

Akamas

Akamas is the easternmost point of the three major flora zones of Europe, therefore the number of plant species found here runs up to 600, of which 35 are endemic. The variety of fauna is also impressive: 168 bird species, 12 mammals, 20 reptiles and butterfly species of which the endemic Glaucopsyche pafos butterfly is said to be the symbol of the area.
Akamas was the place where Aphrodite and Adonis had their love trysts. It is an area of incomparable natural beauty. Almost all the geological formations found on the island are present in the area. Akamas is ideal for walking, cycling, swimming, diving, fishing, exploring, cruising on small craft, and bird watching.
Aphrodite Trail (circular)
Starting point: Baths of Aphrodite. The section between the Baths and Pyrgos tis Rigainas (the Castle of Regina) is shared with the Adonis trail. The trail follows a rising path to the hill known as Moutti tis Sotiras (370m) and this can be quite tiring, especially in summer. There are springs with drinking water at two points, one at Pyrgos tis Rigainas (the Castle of Regina) and the other at Kefalovrisia.
Length: 7.5 kms Time: 3 hours
Points of interest: The baths of Aphrodite where, according to tradition, the Goddess of Love used to bathe. Ruins of the Castle of Regina, which are believed to have belonged to a medieval monastery. It is worth mentioning the huge centuries-old oak tree, which can be seen at the picnic site, where drinking water is also, avaiiable. Along the trail there are several points which give a view of Polis Chrysochous and the Pafos Forest.

Pitsylia

A mountainous region east of Troodos, of which the most important villages are Palaichori, Agros, Alona, Askas, Polystypos, Plafanistasa, Kyperounta, Pelendri, Chandria, Dymes, Agridia, and Kato Mylos. The region is filled with rare natural beauty and a large variety of ecosystems and landscapes. The natural Pinus brutia forests together with the thickets of the endemic Gold Oak cover lorge areas.

The main products of Pitsylia are apples, pears, cherries, peaches, grapes and seasonal vegetables. There are 3 noteworthy Byzantine Churches in the area which are included in the official UNESCO list of the World Cultural Heritage. The following 8 nature trails are found in Pitsylia.
Panagia tou Araka (Lagoudera) - Stavros tou Agiasmati

Starting Point: Lagoudera or Stavros tou Agiasmati 3 kms from Platanistasa.
Length: 7 kms Time: 3 hours.
Points of interest: The church of Panagia tou Araka (1192 AD) and that of Stavros tou Agiasmati (1494 AD) both with beautiful wall paintings are among the nine Byzantine churches of the Troodos area included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The trail passes through a pinus brutia forest, vineyards, almond trees and old stone terraces. To the east of the trail we can see Kionia, to the north Morfou valley, Pentadactylos range, Xyliatos dam, Mount Olympos to the west and Madari to the south.

Troodos

Troodos National Forest Park is at the centre of the island and covers an area of 9337 hectares. The highest point is Chionistra or Olympos (1952 m) and the lowest is Moni forest (700m). The area is magical and suitable for a variety of activities such as hiking, skiing, mountain cycling, nature study and picnics. Over 770 plant species have managed to survive, making Troodos NFP the richest botanical garden of Cyprus. The area's geology is of world-wide importance. The world's best preserved ophiological complex is studied by scientists with a view to achieving an understanding of how the ocean's crust was created 90 million years ago at the bottom of a vast ocean known to geologists as the "sea of Tethys". Along the trails, one can see samples of plutonic rock which were created by the crystallization of magma which took place 2000-6000 m, under the bottom of the ocean. In the area 10 trails exist covering a total lenght of 50 kms.

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.
Lefkara, with its stone-built houses, is renowned for its hand-made embroidery, known as "Lefkaritika". The beautiful House of Patsalos houses the Traditional Museum of Embroidery 8 Silversmithing. The rich flora of the area includes a rare plant, strictly protected by the Bern Convention, the Lefkara Astragalus (Astragalus macrocarpus ssp. lefkarensis)

Kionia - Profitis Elias
Starting Point: Kionia picnic site. Accessible either from Vavatsinia or from the Machairas Monastery road which leads to Kionia.
Length: 7 kms
Time: 3 hours
Points of interest: The trail goes down to the Monastery of Profitis llias (Prophet Elijah) where there is a spring with drinking water.

Vavatsinia (Spilia tis Athasias)
Starting point: A loose surface road which begins at the Vavatsinia - Kionia forest road, 3 kms outside Vavatsinia
Length: 2 kms
Time: 1 hour Points of Interest"Spilia tis Athasias" (cave). It is believed that this was a shaft used for mining.

Stavros Tis Psokas

The Forest Station a Stavros tis Psokas is in the heart of the Pafos forest, the largest and most beautiful pine forest (pinus brutia) of the island. It can be reached from Pafos (51 kms), via Kannaviou, or from Polis Chrysochous (34 kms). All forest roads leading to Stavros tis Psokas are earth tracks, exceppt for a section of the Kykkos - Stavros road. At the station there is a hostel (Tel. 22-352324) a cafeteria (Tel. 22-7325l2) and an organised pic-nic site. Nearby there is an enclosure where visitors can admire the renowned Ovis gmelini ophion (Cyprus Moufflon), and the Dama dama (a deer introduced to Cyprus from abroad).
Quite close from there (19 kms) is the well-known Cedar Valley. The three nature trails in this area have a total length of 9.5 kms.

Kavo Greko

A National Forest Park at the southeastern end of the island between Agia Napa and Paralimni. The uniqueness of the area is not only due to its natural beauty but also to the fact that it offers a wide range of interests such as swimming, diving, towed parachute, fishing, rowing, cycling, riding, climbing, airports and hiking.

The vegetation is dominated by coastal shrubs of which the most frequent observed species is Juniperus Phoenicea and plants such as chrysanthemums, wild onions, poppies, anemones, mainly in spring time.

There are about 300 plant species in the area, 11 of which are endemic. The fauna includes species such as partridge, wood pigeon, crow, owl, as well as a large number of migratory birds, which stop on the island chiefly to rest. These include blackbirds, thrushes etc. Also observed in the area are foxes, hares and various species of bats, reptiles and butterflies. To date, 9 trails have been constructed in Kavo Gkreko - Paralimni area.

Konnoi - Spilia Kyklopa Cyclops Cave
Starting point: Konnoi Beach
Length: 2.4 km Time: 1 hour
Points of interest: A walk along the coast leading to natural caves, the best known of which is the Cyclop's cave. A kiosk operates on Konnoi beach.

Konnoi - Agioi Anargyroi
Starting Point: Konnoi Beach
Length: 1.4 km Time: 1/2 hour
Points of interest: A walk along the coast which ends at the little church of Agioi Anargyroi, built over a sea cave which, according to tradition, was the home of St. Kosmas and St.Damianos.

Kavo
Starting point: Old quarry, parking area
Length: 2.5 kms Time: 1 hour
Points of interest: An old quarry, a large number of fossilized marine organisms, and you can see as far as the Stavrovouni Monastery. On a very clear day the heights above Haifa in Israel, are visible. Cliffs are suitable for climbing.

Kyparassia - Germasoya Dam

Kyparissia is situated between the forest road which links Foinikaria with Prastio and the public Akrounta-Dierona road, about 10 kms from Lemesos. The most interesting feature of the area is the Kyparissia river with its steep banks. The vegetation consists of mixed thickets of cypress trees and Pinus Brutia, olive trees and Pinus Brutia, olive trees and cistus, and Pinus brutia.

Kyparissia - Germasogeia Dam
Starting point: Moutti tis Kyparissias. Access is via forest roads near the village of Foinikaria.
Length: Two routes: The first is circular and is 3.7 kms long. The second leads to Germasogeia Dam via a forest road and is 3.8 kms long.
Time: 2 hours for each route.
Points of interest: A panoramic view at the starting point. Close to the starting point there is a suitable take-off ground for hang-gliding. The trail runs parallel to the Kyparissia river

Germasogeia Dam
Starting point: An earthroad leading to Prastio via Foinikaria on the east side of the Germasogeia Dam.
Length: 1.35 kms
Time: 1/2 hour
Points of interest: A walk around a small peninsula inside the dam which has been enriched with various species of fish. Fishing is allowed only with permission from the Fisheries Department.