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The best hiking trails in Cyprus
Whichever nature trail you choose to go for a hike, Cyprus's landscape will take your breath away! Hiking in Cyprus, while enjoying the island’s fascinating diverse landscape, with beaches, mountains, forests and waterfalls, is truly a delight and will sweep you away. Here, we include the best hiking trails in Cyprus, from mountains to sea coasts. You can find all the details you need to prepare for your hiking trip.
Summary
1. Aphrodite Nature Trail
The nature trail “Aphrodite” is at one of the most beautiful parts of Cyprus, Akamas and it offers many points of interest. The trail is a 7.5-kilometer circular path that leads up to the hill (370 meters) known as Mouttis of Sotira, providing hikers with spectacular views of the Mediterranean and a rare chance to explore one of the island's untouched natural environments.
The Aphrodite Nature Trail begins at the Aphrodite Baths, where the goddess and her lovers are said to have taken a bath, and then follows the coastline. The journey includes beautiful vantage points with views of Cape Arnoutis, Polis Chrysochous, and the Paphos woodland, which is the final point of Akamas. Two springs with drinking water are located along the route: one is close to the ruins of the Tower of Rigaina, which is thought to have been a part of a medieval monastery, and the other is located between Loutra and Kakoskali. The Loutra-Pyrgos Rigaina portion is shared by both the Adonis Nature Trail and this one. The 500-year-old oak tree that is located next to the royal tower's ruins is also interesting.
The Aphrodite Nature Trail is a route with a high degree of difficulty with notably steep elevation variations (uphills and downhills), as well as a course over uneven, slippery, and steep terrain, and it concludes at the starting place after 3–4 hours. It is considered inappropriate for young toddlers.
2. Adonis Nature Trail
One of the various beautiful walking routes in Cyprus is the Adonis Nature Trail, which is located on the Akamas peninsula in the Paphos district. Adonis, the lover of the Cypriot goddess Aphrodite, met her there. This 7.5 km round route, which incorporates the E4 of Megalonis, is regarded as one of the most intriguing and beautiful routes. The Adonis Nature Trail begins around 400 meters from the Baths of Aphrodite, where it is said that the goddess and her lovers once bathed. It then travels westerly for a while before turning north and meeting the Aphrodite Nature Trail near the northwest corner of the island.
The Akamas peninsula and its beaches, Polis Chrysochous, and the Paphos woodland may all be seen from the Adonis Nature Trail. The chance to interact with the area's unusual flora and fauna is another perk for hikers. Of the flora that can be found in the area, typical species are the wood clod (Onosma fruticosum), the Cypriot phlomis (Phlomis cypria var. occidentalis), the boseacypria (Boseacypria), the common pine (Ptilostemonchamaepeucevar, cyprius), the ballota (Ballotaintegrifolia), and the bitter gourd (Origanummajoranavar. tenuifolium).
The Adonis Nature Trail is a route of high degree of difficulty with notably steep elevation variations (uphills and downhills) and concludes at the starting place after around 3–4 hours.
3. Artemis Nature Trail
The famed Chionistra, located atop Mount Olympus, is circled by the the Artemis Nature Trail, which is located in Limassol’s district and also travels through a portion of the Troodos National Forest Park. Following the signs to Chionistra, on the main road Troodos Square-Prodromos (Olympos), the Artemis Trail's starting point is 250 meters from the intersection of the road leading to Chionistra. The goddess Artemis, who is the twin sister of the god Apollo and the daughter of Zeus and Leto, is the source of the path's name. According to ancient Greek mythology, the gorgeous, clever, frequently eccentric, and harsh goddess was the defender of forests, mountains, and wild animals.
You will have the chance to explore the forest with the help of the trail's informative signs, including the two-century-old black pine trees that are more than 500 years old, the rich and uncommon flora (including species like nepeta, teucrion, alyson, hachomelia, and invisible), and the local rocks (such as dunite, harzburgite, pyroxenite). Additionally, you will have a breathtaking perspective of towns and villages in the districts of Limassol, Paphos, and Nicosia. The whole route is found in the Troodos National Forest Park, which is a NATURA 2000 site. "The old country's teisia", ruins of medieval walls or defenses constructed by a group of Venetian generals there to protect themselves against the Turks in 1571, the final year of Venetian authority in Cyprus before the Ottoman sovereignty, are another point of interest along the trail.
Uphill travel for 200–300 meters at the end of the trail, following the Ski Center, is the only significant uphill and downhill that the trail presents. The 7-kilometer Artemis Nature Trail is rated as having a low level of difficulty and taking between 2.5 and 3 hours to complete.
4. Konnoi – Agioi Anargyroi Nature Trail
The 1.5-kilometer-long Konnoi - Agioi Anargyroi nature path in the district of Famagusta is a linear trail that begins at either Konnos Beach or the church of Agioi Anargyroi. It is extremely doable in under an hour. The picturesque bay of Konnos beach is the most striking of the various overlooks along the entire Konnoi - Agioi Anargyroi nature trail route. The path concludes when the traveler reaches the church of Agioi Anargyroi, which is erected above a sea cave where it is thought the homonymous Saints practiced asceticism. The path runs the length of the beach and is lush with greenery.
The Konnoi - Agioi Anargyroi nature trail is also connected to other routes, such as the Konnoi – Cyclops Cave nature trail, the Agioi Anargyroi nature trail, the Agioi Anargyroi – Sea Caves nature trail and the Prophet Elias – Konnoi nature trail.
5. Smigies Nature Trail
Discover the 2.5-km out-and-back trail in Paphos' Neo Chorio area. It requires an average of 1-2 hours to finish and is typically regarded as a moderately difficult course. You won't likely run into many other hikers on this trail, which is perfect for trekking. Depending on the route taken, a circular trail measuring around 2.5 or 5 kilometers long provides hikers with a spectacular perspective of the Mediterranean and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore one of the island's untouched natural landscapes. The two routes pass the Piana Forestry Department firehouse and are near to the Pissouromuttis Nature Trail at the Smigies Nature Trail's starting point.
About 2.5 kilometers west of Neo Chorio Paphos, in the excursion area, is where the Smigies Nature Trail begins. The path includes gorgeous viewpoints of the Poli Chrysochous, the port of Latsi, the beaches of Akama (particularly the bay of Lara), and the Paphos forest. The lengthy route connects to the Kefalovrysia site (at the spring with the drinking water) and the Adonis Nature Trail, goes by the old magnesium mines with their abandoned furnaces, and travels through a section of the Akama forest. The chance to interact with the area's unusual flora and fauna is another perk for hikers. The flora that can be seen on the path includes typical species are the wood clod (Onosma fruticosum), the thyme (Thymus integer), the teucrion (Teucrium micropodiodes), the ballota (Ballota integrifolia), the sapsisia (Origanum majorana var. tenuifolium). Depending on the route you take, the Smigies Nature Trail ends at the starting point.
6. Avaka Gorge Nature Trail
The Avaka Gorge Nature Trail begins at gorge itself inside the Pegeia forest, and the trail's end is situated there. It follows the path of the Avga River, which gives the gorge its name. Continuous erosion of the sloping limestone cliffs made of coralline and granular limestone, bentonite mud, and fertile, silty soil resulted in the formation of the gorge. The gorge is a part of the NATURA 2000 as well. The hike begins by taking you along a gravel road that is off-limits to private cars, through an open valley, before descending into the gorge. The route’s final section is in a stream, where water typically runs all year-round. The gorge's path is marked by thick vegetation and a particularly lovely, shady, and moist environment.
In addition, the walker has the opportunity to come into contact with the rare flora and fauna of the area. Among the flora found in the area, characteristic species are the endemic plants: schina, the invisible, thornybroom (Calycotomevillosa), the common smilax, the oleander, the storax, and the endangered akamascentaury (Centaureaakamantis). The Avaka Gorge Nature Trail ends after about 2 hours, and is considered of moderate difficulty.
7. Caledonia Nature Trail
The main road at Troodos Square, which is at an elevation of 1,570 meters, is where the Caledonia Nature Trail begins. It travels towards Pano Platres and concludes at the Tall Tree, which is at an elevation of 1,240 meters. The entire trail is shrouded in thick greenery and filled with the potent scents of endemic plants and trees by the river. The panorama is incredibly stunning in the winter, with the trail being totally covered in snow at its highest point and the stream that runs alongside the path flowing richly and quickly. Even with little children, the trail is worthy.
The Caledonia Nature Trail in the Limassol area is considered to be of high degree of difficulty with variations in terrain morphology. It is linear and has a total length of 3 kilometers with an estimated route duration of 1.5 hours. Hikers get the chance to pass through areas of dense forest while traveling alongside the Cold River, which is always running with water. The renowned Caledonia waterfall, one of Troodos' most stunning natural features, is the route's most notable stop. In fact, the European path E4 also runs from Troodos Square to this location. The vegetation that can be discovered includes latias, rushes, chamomile, and Mary's Tears. It the summer you have the opportunity to dip in the waterfall, but keep in mind that the water is still quite cold and falls with a lot of power.
The Caledonia Nature Trail has two starting points: the first is at Tall Tree, which is located above Pano Platres, and the second begins by using the old Troodos-Platres Road after the summer presidential palace.
8. Sea Caves Nature Trail
The Sea Caves nature trail is circular starting from the Cape Greco Sea caves in Ayia Napa, Famagusta district in Cyprus. This path, which is primarily coastal, offers stunning views and has caves where you may see marine fossils. The route of Kavos is connected to the trail. The Sea Caves Nature Trail is ideal for you if you are loving adventures. This trail allows you enjoy a panoramic view of the Mediterranean.
With a length of 3.5 kilometers, the Sea Caves nature trail takes about 2 hours and is considered of moderate difficulty. The hike takes place largely on rough rock and stone terrain. Low vegetation can be seen in the area during the hike. If you are daring enough, it can be fun to jump in the sea from the top. The Sea Cave Nature Trail can end up at the Cape Greco gulf and at the church of Agioi Anargyroi.