Author: Christos

Prodromos – Psilo Dendro (Platres) Cycling Route

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This route of 18,2km starts from the village of Prodromos, where to the north the abandoned Berengaria hotel complex lies, while lower down is the village of Lemithou, with views of the glittering bay of Morfou in the distance. Further west, the peaks of Throni and Tripylos overlook Kykkos and Stavros tis Psokas respectively. The villages of Palaiomylos and Agios Dimitrios, and the Diarizos Valley  sprawl out below, whilst Pafos (Paphos) forest stretches to the west. The Prodromos dam can be seen to the east, along with a picnic site. To the south is the Trikoukkiotissa Convent.

Start Point: Prodromos village
End Point: Psilo Dendro, Platres
Total Distance: 18,2km
Height Gain: 10m
Difficulty Rating: An easy route. Accessibility by bicycle is good – very good, with the exception of the Trooditissa – Foini forest road, which requires attention due to small sharp fragments of rock on the surface. For this section of the road, the use of MTB cycles with front suspension is recommended.
Road Conditions: Good quality tarmac and forest dirt track with some sharp stones on parts of the route. Caution is advised against damage to tyres.
 

Karvounas – Prodromos Cycling Route

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The Karvounas – Prodromos route is of medium difficulty and is divided into two parts: a 10km descent (8km in a forest dirt track), and a steady ascent for the remaining 12,7km. At the first signposted viewpoint ­ 5km from the starting point – the village of Kakopetria spreads down towards the heart of Solea Valley. About 15km from the starting point of this route, cyclists arrive at the Stavroullia rest and viewpoint. Here, as at the Marathos picnic site 2,5km farther on, the Marathasa Valley reveals its splendour with the villages of Pedoulas, Moutoullas and Kalopanagiotis to the west. Further north, the village of Gerakies nestles amidst the backdrop of the mountain peak of Kykkos and its famous monastery.

Start Point: Karvounas
End Point: Prodromos
Total Distance: 22,7km
Height Gain: 10m
Difficulty Rating: A route of medium difficulty, with good accessibility by bicycle.
Road Conditions: Good quality tarmac and forest dirt track in good condition (Depending on weather conditions).
 

Stavros tis Psokas – Pyrgos Cycling Route

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This 40km route offers an alternative excursion from Stavros tis Psokas, leading to Pyrgos in the Tilliria region, instead of to Panagia and Pafos (Paphos).

Starting at the Stavros tis Psokas forestry station, the route climbs a little to the north until it reaches a fork. The right­hand road leads east to Kykkos, while the road to the left heads west to Pomos and Kato Pyrgos. The latter is a winding downhill road, which emerges at the military camp of Agios Georgios. From there, the route turns right, heading east to reach the coastal road and Pyrgos 6km away.

Start Point: Stavros tis Psokas
End Point: Pyrgos
Total Distance: 40km
Height Gain: 10m
Difficulty Rating: A relatively easy route as it is mostly downhill. Suitable for any kind of bike with speeds and brakes in good condition.
Road Conditions: Good quality, paved road throughout.
 

Stavros tis Psokas – Pafos (Paphos) Cycling Route

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This 65km route links Kykkos and the mountain range of Troodos with Pafos (Paphos).

From the forestry station at Stavros tis Psokas, the dirt road heads in a south­westerly direction through one of the most beautiful regions of the island. Uphills and downhills alternate as far as the camping site at Agia. From here, the road starts to climb steadily to the end of the forest a little outside Panagia, at the picnic site in Monasilakkas. It then continues a little further up to the largest village in the area of Panagia, birthplace of Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of Cyprus. The Monastery of Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa is situated near this village. The route continues towards Pafos, passing through the villages of Asprogia, Kannaviou, Agios Dimitrianos, Psathi, Polemi, Kallepeia, Tsada and Mesogi.

Start Point: Stavros tis Psokas
End Point: Pafos
Total Distance: 65km
Height Gain: 475m
Difficulty Rating: A medium – hard route due to quite a few steep uphills, particularly on the paved parts of the road. Requires a mountain bike with 21 speeds.
Road Conditions: A variety of surfaces.
 

Polis Circular Cycling Route

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This 23km route heads southwest from Polis along the Polis – Pafos (Paphos) road until it reaches a turning to the right towards Androlikou. Climbing steadily at Xeropotamos, it passes through the villages of Androlikou and Fasli. Continuing in the same direction, it reaches another turning to the right at a dirt road; this leads downhill to the west of the Akamas mountain ridge, as far as the end of the peninsula. After about 4km of dirt road, there is another turning to the right, which leads to the Smigies picnic site, and then to Neo Chorio ­ where it takes the paved road back to Polis.

Start Point: Polis
End Point: Polis
Total Distance: 23km
Difficulty Rating: A difficult route with steep uphills and downhills. Requires a mountain bike with front fork suspension.
Road Conditions: A variety of surfaces.
 

Polis – Pyrgos Cycling Route

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This 48km route, along with the routes from Pafos (Paphos), links Pyrgos with Polis and Pafos.

Beginning from Polis, the route travels along the coast in a north­easterly direction to Pachyammos. It then takes a little detour, climbing up into the mountains in a southerly direction in order to by­pass the Turkish enclave of Kokkines, after which it goes downhill to rejoin the coastal road to Pyrgos.

Start Point: Polis
End Point: Pyrgos
Total Distance: 48km
Height Gain: 130km
Difficulty Rating: An easy route of almost flat roads. There are often strong onshore winds in the area, particularly in the afternoon. Requires a street bike with at least 14 speeds.
Road Conditions: Good quality, paved road throughout.

 

Polis – Argaka Cycling Route

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This 28km route travels northeast along the Polis – Pyrgos road, along the coast until a turning to the right that leads to the village of Argaka. The road passes the village school, and continues straight and south along a dirt road. It then turns southeast to the picnic site at Agios Merkourios. From there it follows a descending forest road to Argaka and back to Polis.

Start Point: Polis
End Point: Polis
Total Distance: 28km
Difficulty Rating: An easy route, despite dirt roads. Requires a mountain bike with front fork suspension.
Road Conditions: A variety of surfaces.
 

Polis – Akamas Lighthouse Cycling Route

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The greatest advantage of cycling in the Polis area is its proximity to the Akamas Peninsula.

This 22km route begins in Polis and heads west towards Lakki (Latsi), the small harbour / marina of Polis and the Baths of Aphrodite. Shortly after Lakki (Latsi) ­ and just before the Baths it turns south ­ climbing towards Neo Chorio. The route travels through the village and then heads west with the road becoming a dirt road just outside the village. It then passes Smigies picnic site, which is the last stop for water. From Smigies, the route climbs rather steeply and turns right, heading southwest along the slopes of a hill offering alternating views of the east and west sides of the peninsula. A turning to the right, 3km from Smigies, leads to ruins known as Pyrgos tis Rigainas.

Alternatively, continuing straight for another 2km leads on to the road to Lara, Fontana Amorosa and the Baths of Aphrodite. Further along this road is Akamas lighthouse. Alternative route: You can return to Polis from the lighthouse by going along the Fontana Amorosa road to the Baths of Aphrodite.

Start Point: Polis
End Point: Akamas Lighthouse
Total Distance: 22km
Difficulty Rating: A difficult route. Requires a mountain bike with at least 21 speeds. Front fork suspension is recommended.
Road Conditions: A variety of surfaces.
 

Pafos (Paphos) – Polis Cycling Route

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This 37km route goes from Pafos (Paphos) to Polis ­ the main town of Chrysochou Bay.

It begins in Kato Pafos following the coastal road in a north­westerly direction, until the crossroad at Coral Bay, where it turns right. It then climbs to the village of Pegia, known for its fountain. The route continues to climb through the village, offering a spectacular view of the west coast. It then enters the forest, travelling northeast to the village of Kathikas, from where it heads north to Prodromi, and finally to Polis.

Start Point: Pafos
End Point: Polis
Total Distance: 37km
Height Gain: 615m
Difficulty Rating: A difficult route that requires some effort and a good street or mountain bike with speeds.
Road Conditions: Good quality, paved road throughout.
 

Pafos (Paphos) – Baths of Aphrodite Cycling Route

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This 37km route rides along the Akamas Peninsula and the Avakas Gorge.

Beginning at Kato Pafos (Paphos), the route heads northwest along the coastal road. At the crossroads between Coral Bay and Pegeia, it continues straight to the fishing refuge of Agios Georgios. A little before the chapel of Agios Georgios ­ on the right and south ­ is a turning along a dirt road for the Akamas area. After about 2km, the route goes over a small bridge at the Avga or Avakas riverbed. Signposts from there lead along a path to the right towards Avakas Gorge.

Heading straight leads to Lara; straight past Lara is a turning to the right to the chapel of Agios Kononas, where there is drinking water. From Agios Kononas, the route heads south to meet the road going over the Akamas ridge ­ crosses the road from Smigies to the Akamas lighthouse ­ and continues downhill to Fontana Amorosa. This road follows the coast in a south­easterly direction to the Baths of Aphrodite and the beach with a CTO Tourist Pavilion.

Start Point: Pafos
End Point: Baths of Aphrodite
Total Distance: 37km
Difficulty Rating: A medium – difficult route due to some challenging uphills with uneven surfaces. Requires a high­quality mountain bike with front fork suspension.
Road Conditions: A variety of surfaces.