Author: cconstantinou

Rizoelia Forest Cycling Route

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The small forest of Rizoelia is situated next to the roundabout on the outskirts of Larnaka (Larnaca), west of Aradippou village. There are plenty of dirt roads for mountain biking fans, as well as for those who love riding through beautiful forest, or want to enjoy the view from the top of the hill.

Start Point: Rizoelia Forest
End Point: Rizoelia Forest
Total Distance: 65km
Height Gain: 20m
Difficulty Rating: An easy – average route on unpaved roads. Requires a mountain bike with 21 speeds. Front fork suspension is recommended.
Road Conditions: Unpaved territory.
 

Larnaka 6 – Mazotos – Vavatsinia – Kofinou Cycling Route

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The route begins at the Mazotos fuel station on the outskirts of the village and continues on the road towards the villages of Agios Theodoros and Zygi to the southwest. It travels along the coast until it reaches Zygi.

From there the road climbs to the north towards Tochni and reaches the archaeological site of Choirokitia.

The route continues in a northwestern direction, going through the village of Choirokitia and, climbing steadily, goes through the villages of Vavla, Lageia and Ora.

From Ora it turns right and after 10km, heading first north and then northwest, reaches Vavatsinia. Vavatsinia is a good spot to rest and have a snack before heading back down to Kofinou via the villages of Pano Lefkara and Skarinou. Kofinou is a 5km ride to the north of Skarinou on the old Lefkosia – Lemesos road.

Difficulty rate: A difficult route with long but not very steep uphills. It requires a 20-speed road bicycle.
Road condition: Paved roads throughout.
Route Description: This route travels along the western coastal district of Larnaka and then climbs towards the hillside villages of the region, going past the archaeological site of Choirokoitia and ending at Kofinou.
Alternative route: From Vavla the route turns right and climbs up to the village of Kato Drys (6km), then three kilometers later gets on the Skarinou -Vavatsinia road, just below Pano Lefkara. This route is shorter.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 78.3km
Elevation Gain: 1882m
Highest point: 880m
Lowest point: 1m
Loop: NO
Terrain: Mountain
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Mazotos fuel station 0,0 0,0
Zygi 18,2 18,2
Tochni 5,6 23,8
Choirokitia 5,1 28,9
Vavla 8,4 37,34
Lageia 2,2 39,5
Ora 6,7 46,2
Agioi Vavatsinias 2,9 49,1
Vavatsinia 6,7 55,8
Pano Lefkara 9,6 65,4
Skarinou 7,8 73,2
Kofinou 5,1 78,3

Main 2 – Lythrodontas – Agros Cycling Route

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From Lythrodontas village you enter directly in the Machairas forest and after climbing a total of 915m you reach the Machairas monastery. From there the route heads west and passes through the small villages of Lazanias and Gourri, where the it turns south to Farmakas.

From Farmakas it heads southwest and descends towards the main Lefkosia – Palaichori road, with the Palaichori dam to the left. From there the road climbs to the left to go through Apliki, climbing steadily for 5km until it reaches Palaichori and from there you continue south towards the village of Agros which is located 13,9km from Palaichori.

Difficulty rate: Quite a difficult course. It requires a road bike with low/ easy gear ratios.
Road condition: For the most part this route is on paved roads.
Route Description: This excursion is especially designed to combine an ascent into the Machairas forest with a descent into Lemesos, travelling through the Pitsylia area or further up to Troodos, or even returning to Lefkosia via an alternative route.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 51.0km
Elevation Gain: 2430m
Highest point: 1266m
Lowest point: 419m
Loop: NO
Terrain: Mountain
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Lythrodontas 0,0 0,0
Mantra tou Kampiou 7,3 7,3
Agios Onoufrios 3,3 10,6
Machairas Monastery 4,5 15,1
Gourri 8,4 23,5
Farmakas 6,2 29,7
Apliki 4,9 34,6
Palaichori 2,5 37,1
Agros 13,9 51,0

Larnaka 1 – Larnaka (Larnaca) Tourist Beach – Hala Sulta Tekke Mosque – Meneou Lighthouse Cycling Route

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The route begins from the Larnaka Tourist Beach and heads south to the Larnaka port roundabout along the bicycle path on the left hand side of the road. It continues straight, goes along Athinon avenue (Finikoudes Promenade), past Larnaka castle and Mackenzie beach, and turns west to get onto the Larnaka airport road turning left at the traffic lights. The route goes past the old airport roundabout and shortly afterwards turns right to the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque. Here there is a restaurant and a picnic site in the nearby wood. Going straight on leads to Meneou.

Difficulty rate: An easy route, ideal for all bicycles.
Road condition: Good quality paved roads throughout.
Route Description: This excursion is a cycling tour of Larnaka.
Alternative route: To make the trip slightly longer, take the road from Meneou to the coast heading southeast, get on the main coastal road that goes past the Kiti Medieval Tower. Then turn right heading northwest through the villages of Pervolia and Kiti and back to Meneou.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 25.4km
Elevation Gain: 36m
Highest point: 21m
Lowest point: 2m
Loop: NO
Terrain: Flat
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Larnaka Tourist Beach 0,0 0,0
Larnaka 9,3 9,3
Foinikoudes 1,4 10,7
Hala Sulta Tekke Mosque 4,7 15,4
Meneou 3,6 19,0
Pervolia 4,4 23,4
Pervolia Lighthouse 2,0 25,4

Main 8 – Larnaka (Larnaca) – Kofinou – Dali Cycling Route

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Starting at the Larnaka port roundabout, the route travels along the Stratigos Timagia avenue, crosses the traffic lights at the Fire Department, and continues straight to the next traffic lights where it turns left to reach the traffic lights by the Phaneromeni church on the Larnaka Airport – Meneou road. From there it turns right and goes south, past the airport roundabout and heads southwest to Meneou.

Just before Kiti village, it turns right towards Mazotos, which is about 10km further down after the fuel station. The fuel station also happens to be the starting point for the Mazotos – Vavatsinia – Kofinou route. From Mazotos the route continues west towards Alaminos and reaches Kofinou where it meets the old Lefkosia – Lemesos road. It turns right and to the north towards Lefkosia, and from this point on becomes more difficult, owing to a 220m high vertical climb, which lasts for 6km. After that it is downhill all the way through the villages of Pyrga, Mosfiloti, Alampra and Nisou.

Road condition: Paved roads throughout.
Route Description: This excursion goes from Larnaka to Nisou through the hills of the Kakoradjia region, and are a hard ride. The route also links up nicely with a number of alternative routes.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 57.4km
Elevation Gain: 462m
Highest point: 378m
Lowest point: 2m
Loop: NO
Terrain: Mixed
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Foinikoudes 0,0 0,0
Airport Roundabout 5,5 5,5
Meneou 1,6 7,1
Kiti 2,2 9,3
Mazotos fuel station 2,4 11,7
Mazotos 8,3 20,0
Alaminos 1,9 21,9
Kofinou 4,9 26,8
Pyrga 4,8 31,6
Mosfiloti 16,4 48,0
Alampra 4,8 52,8
Ancient Idalion 4,6 57,4

Main 7 – Larnaka (Larnaca) – Athienou – Lefkosia (Nicosia) Cycling Route

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The route begins at the Larnaka port roundabout and heads west along Stratigou Timagia avenue until it reaches the Tsakkilero traffic lights where it turns right towards Aradippou, heading northwest. It goes through Aradippou, goes under the motorway to Paralimni and, keeping in the same direction, skirts the village of Avdellero before reaching Athienou. From Athienou the route turns south on the old Lefkosia – Larnaka road up to the junction of the road to Lympia on the right heading west. From Lympia it passes through the villages of Dali and Nisou, goes under the Lefkosia – Lemesos motorway and through the villages of Kotsiatis and Margi. The route then turns north, goes through Tseri and ends at the Tseriou street roundabout in the Kokkines area just outside Lefkosia.

Road condition: Paved roads throughout.
Route Description: This is an alternative route to the Larnaka- Lefkosia excursion or vice versa and goes past the village of Athienou in the Mesaoria plain.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 54.5km
Elevation Gain: 557m
Highest point: 306m
Lowest point: 5m
Loop: NO
Terrain: Mixed
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Foinikoudes 0,0 0,0
Agios Lazaros 1,1 1,1
Tsiakilero 3,1 4,2
Aradippou 2,6 6,8
Avdellero 6,8 13,6
Athienou 6,2 19,8
Lympia 13,2 33,0
Dali 5,4 38,4
Nisou 2,9 41,3
Kotsiatis 4,8 46,1
Margi 2,8 48,9
Tseri 5,6 54,5

Main 9 – Kofinou – Lemesos (Limassol) – Pafos (Paphos) Cycling Route

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The route starts at Kofinou, heading first south and then southwest, to reach Lemesos after passing through the villages of Choiroikitia, Moni, Amathous and Potamos tis Germasogeias before arriving in Lemesos. From Lemesos it goes west towards Zakaki, Fasouri and Kourion all the way to Petra tou Romiou, from where it goes northwest ending up near the Pafos castle.

Road condition: Good quality paved roads throughout.
Route Description: This excursion is designed for strong cyclists. The entire route is along the old Lefkosia – Lemesos – Pafos road.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 114.0km
Elevation Gain: 1104m
Highest point: 202m
Lowest point: 0m
Loop: NO
Terrain: Mixed
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Kofinou 0,0 0,0
Choirokitia 5,9 5,9
Moni 19,4 25,3
Ancient Amathus 5,7 31,0
Gemrasogeia Tourist Area 5,2 36,2
Lemesos Old Port 5,0 41,2
Zakaki 4,9 46,1
Episkopi 12,0 58,1
Ancient Kourion 0,4 58,5
Sanctuary of Apollon Ylatis 2,9 61,4
Episkopi Military Base 2,9 64,3
Paramali 5,8 70,1
Avdimou 2,6 72,7
Pissouri 7,6 80,3
Petra tou Romiou 7,5 87,8
Mandria 10,8 98,6
Timi 2,1 100,7
Acheleia 2,9 103,6
Geroskipou Tourist Beach 6,4 110,0
Pafos Medieval Castle 4,0 114,0

Larnaka 5 – Kofinou – Larnaka (Larnaca) Cycling Route

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This excursion starts at the village of Kofinou and heads northeast. It travels along the outskirts of the villages of Alaminos, Anafotida and through the village of Mazotos, and reaches the grade separated junction at Larnaka Airport, ending at the Fire Department traffic lights in Larnaka.

Difficulty rate: An easy route ideal for all types of bicycles with speeds.
Road condition: Good quality, paved roads throughout.
Route Description: This route links the route from Kofinou to Larnaka and vice versa, because Kofinou is often the start or end of a number of routes.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 40.1km
Elevation Gain: 57m
Highest point: 158m
Lowest point: 2m
Loop: NO
Terrain: Flat
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Kofinou 0,0 0,0
Alaminos 5,1 5,1
Anafotida 2,3 7,4
Mazotos 2,6 10,0
Softades 8,4 18,4
Pervolia Lighthouse 6,0 24,4
Pervolia 2,0 26,4
Menou 4,4 30,8
Larnaka 9,3 40,1

Main 6 – Tour of Deryneia Cycling Route

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The route begins at the Larnaka Tourist Beach and heads east along the coastal road. It turns right at the roundabout just outside the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekeleia, and enters the base. It turns right again at the next roundabout, goes past the Dhekeleia power station and travels along the outskirts of the village of Ormideia. It then turns right again, climbing a little as it passes outside the village of Xylofagou.

Heading towards Agia Napa, the route goes past the village of Liopetri and the fishing shelter of Potamos Liopetriou and Makronisos and then travels along the main Agia Napa – Paralimni road. It then turns right and takes the road for Cape Gkreko along a bicycle path on the right hand side of the road (the side nearest the sea).

The turning to Cape Gkreko is 4km down the road to the right.

Turning north from Cape Gkreko, the route goes past the Agios Anargyros picnic site and the Konnos area until it reaches Protaras.

From Protaras the route continues to the village of Agia Triada where it turns left towards Paralimni. It cuts across Paralimni and reaches the road leading to Deryneia after turning right and heading north. From Deryneia the route heads back to Larnaka via the potato-growing “red- soil” villages of Frenaros and Achna, and after Xylotympou finishes at the starting point.

Difficulty rate: Quite an easy course. It requires a road bike with at least 18 gears.
Road condition: Good quality paved road throughout.
Route Description: Even though this route is quite long, it is not difficult and goes past the most popular beaches of Cyprus. The route travels along the coast and returns to Larnaka via the “red-soil” villages (Kokkinochoria) of the free Ammochostos Area (Famagusta).

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 93.6km
Elevation Gain: 411m
Highest point: 87m
Lowest point: 1m
Loop: YES
Terrain: Flat
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Larnaca Tourist Beach 0,0 0,0
Dhekelia 3,9 3,9
Dhekelia power station 4,8 4,8
Ormideia 3,3 8,1
Xylofagou 15,6 15,6
Liopetri 5,4 21,0
Potamos Liopetriou 24,8 24,8
Markonisos 5,6 30,4
Agia Napa 35,1 35,1
Cape Greco 7,1 42,2
Agioi Anargyroi 44,5 44,5
Protaras 3,7 48,2
Agia Triada 53,2 53,2
Paralimni 3,5 56,7
Deryneia 60,2 60,2
Frenaros 4,0 64,2
Achna 80,8 80,8
Xylotymvou 6,7 87,5
Larnaca Tourist Beach 93,6 93,6

Lefkosia 2 – Lythrodontas – Kionia – Machairas Monastery – Lythrodontas Cycling Route

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Starting at the village square at Lythrodontas, the route turns right into the ‘Machairas’ forest, one of the most beautiful forests in Cyprus. The internationally renowned mountain bike race ‘Cyprus Sunshine Cup’ is organised every year in this area.

The route continues through the pine forest and follows a steady uphill course towards Vavatsinia village. Then the road serpentines through vineyards and groves to reach the third highest mountain peak in Cyprus, ‘Kionia’. From here, the route goes downhill to the Machairas Monastery, passing through the area where national hero Gregoris Auxentiou fought and sacrificed his life during the Independence struggle against the British colonial rule. Shortly before the Monastery you will pass the pick nick are ‘Mandra tou Kampiou’, famous for hosting one of the ‘Cyprus Sunshine Cup’ race stages.

Further, along the route, it is worth stopping by the abandoned monastery of Prophet Elias before heading down to Lythrodontas, where you started your race.

To download the route in gpx format click here