Author: Christos

Kato Pafos (Paphos) – Timi Forest Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Kato Pafos (Paphos) – Timi Forest Cycling Route

This 12km route tours the Pafos (Paphos) region, along the coastal front of Kato Pafos, past Geroskipou Tourist Beach, and ending up at Timi Beach near Pafos Airport and the nearby eucalyptus grove.

The route starts off at Pafos Harbour, heading in a south­easterly direction. After the Pafos Beach Hotel, it continues along a bicycle path on the right­hand side of the road, parallel to the coast, as far as Geroskipou Tourist Beach. From there it goes along a dirt road to the Pafos Airport perimeter and crosses the Ezousa Riverbed (on foot). The route then follows the airport perimeter fence, heading first north and then east to join the paved road to the airport. At that point, the route turns right towards the sea. Continuing a little further down, it reaches the small bay and beach of Timi and the nearby eucalyptus grove with its picnic site.

Start Point: Pafos Port
End Point: Timi coast
Total Distance: 12km
Difficulty Rating: An easy – average route. Requires a mountain bike.
Road Conditions: A variety of surfaces.
 

Geroskipou – Pafos (Paphos) Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Geroskipou – Pafos (Paphos) Cycling Route

This 24km route goes from Geroskipou to the Monastery of Stavros tis Minthas and the golf course, and then on to the village of Tsada, before ending in Pafos (Paphos).

The route starts from the centre of Geroskipou and heads towards Lemesos (Limassol), travelling along the old Lemesos – Pafos road. Between Geroskipou and Koloni, a turning to the left leads to Agia Marinouda in the north. The route passes through the village and climbs north to reach the village of Marathounta. From there, it turns right, climbing up towards the village of Episkopi in the Pafos district. Just before the top of the hill, the route takes the dirt road to the left, leading to the golf course and the Monastery of Stavros tis Minthas. From here, a paved road covers the 3km to the village of Tsada. From Tsada, it is downhill to Pafos along the Pafos – Polis road.

Start Point: Geroskipou
End Point: Pafos
Total Distance: 24km
Difficulty Rating: A medium – difficult route. Requires a mountain bike of 21 speeds.
Road Conditions: A variety of surfaces.
 

Pitsylia – Troodos Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Pitsylia – Troodos Cycling Route

This 28,3km route connects the areas of Pitsylia and Troodos and is an interesting route for visiting the surrounding villages.

From Alona, the route heads southwest, passing through Polystypos, and climbs to the northwest, passing underneath Madari peak to reach Chandria village. At Chandria, it turns right and heads west through Kyperounta to reach the crossroads at Karvounas.

From Karvounas it heads south, climbing steeply towards Pano Amiantos, and then heads west, climbing even more steeply to Troodos Square. Before reaching the square, the route travels past the picnic sites of Almyrolivado and Livadi tou Pashia, as well as a camping and picnic site just before the square.

Start Point: Alona village
End Point: Troodos Square
Total Distance: 28,3km
Height Gain: 695m
Difficulty Rating: A route of medium difficulty, with steep uphills. Requires a good­quality street bicycle with at least 14 speeds, or a mountain bike with 21 speeds.
Road Conditions: Paved roads throughout.
 

Ancient Amathous – Governor’s Beach Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Ancient Amathous – Governor’s Beach Cycling Route

This 15km route is best suited to mountain bike enthusiasts who will appreciate the technical difficulties involved. Although there are few changes in gradient, a large part of the route is on rocky ground, and requires a good sense of balance and technical skill.

The route starts where the Lemesos (Limassol) – Ancient Amathous route ends, continuing in the same direction along the old Lemesos – Lefkosia (Nicosia) road for 5km as far as the Moni flyover. There, it turns off onto a dirt road to the right and heads south towards the coast. The route travels past a number of industrial units, as well as the Moni quarry, where it turns left heading east. This part of the route is full of cycling thrills and ends up at Governor’s Beach. Halfway along the route (about 4km) is a biological waste-processing unit. Just before the uphill leading to the unit, there is a narrow path carved out of the cliff on the right that descends to the dry riverbed of Agios Georgios Alamanos. The road at the riverbed is smoother and heads north for about 600m, before turning right in order to cross to the other side. It is not far from there to the coast, with Governor’s Beach 5km away.

Start Point: Ancient Amathous
End Point: Governor’s Beach
Total Distance: 15km
Difficulty Rating: A difficult route of uneven surfaces. Requires a good­ quality mountain bike with 24-speeds and a front fork suspension.
Road Conditions: A variety of surfaces.
 

Rizoelia Forest Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Rizoelia Forest Cycling Route

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.
 

Mazotos – Kofinou Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Mazotos – Kofinou Cycling Route

This 80km route travels along the western coastal district of Larnaka (Larnaca), climbing towards the hillside villages of the region, and past the archaeological site of Choirokoitia to end at Kofinou village.

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, travelling along the coast as far as Zygi. From there, the road climbs north towards Psematismenos, crossing the Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Lemesos (Limassol) motorway over the footbridge, and reaches the archaeological site of Choirokoitia.The route continues in a north­westerly direction, going through the village of Choirokoitia and ­ climbing steadily ­ through the villages of Vavla, Lagia and Ora. From Ora it turns right and after 10km, heading first north and then northwest, it reaches Vavatsinia. Vavatsinia is a good spot for a rest and 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.

As an alternative route that is 22km shorter: From Vavla, the route turns right, climbing up to the village of Kato Drys (6km). It reaches the Skarinou – Vavatsinia road 3km later, just below Pano Lefkara.

Start Point: Mazotos fuel station
End Point: Kofinou
Total Distance: 80km
Height Gain: 965m
Difficulty Rating: A difficult route with long (but not very steep) uphills. Requires a 16­-speed street bicycle.
Road Conditions: Paved road throughout.
 

Machairas – Pitsylia Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Machairas – Pitsylia Cycling Route

This 25km route ascends into Machairas Forest and on to the Pitsylia area. From Machairas Monastery, the route heads west, passing through the small villages of Lazanias and Gouri, where it turns south to Farmakas. From Farmakas it heads southwest, descending towards the main Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Palaichori road, with Palaichori Dam to the left. From there, the road turns left to go through Apliki, climbing steadily for 5km until it reaches Palaichori itself.

Start Point: Machairas Monastery
End Point: Palaichori
Total Distance: 25km
Height Gain: 240m
Difficulty Rating: A route of medium difficulty due to several steep uphills. Requires a street bicycle with at least 14 speeds or a mountain bike with 21 speeds.
Road Conditions: Paved road mostly throughout.
 

Larnaka (Larnaca) Tourist Beach – Meneou Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Larnaka (Larnaca) Tourist Beach – Meneou Cycling Route

This 18km route tours the region of Larnaka (Larnaca). Beginning at Larnaka Tourist Beach, it heads south to the Larnaka Port roundabout along the bicycle path on the left­hand side of the road. It then continues straight along Athinon Avenue (Foinikoudes Promenade), past Larnaka Medieval Castle and Mackenzie Beach, before turning west to join the Larnaka Airport road, turning left at the traffic lights. The route then goes past the airport roundabout, turning right to Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque shortly after a restaurant and a picnic site in the nearby wood. Continuing straight, the route leads to Meneou village.

As an alternative route to make the trip slightly longer: Take the road from Meneou to the coast, heading southeast to join the main coastal road that goes past Kiti Medieval Tower. Then turn right, heading northwest through the villages of Pervolia and Kiti and back to Meneou.

Start Point: Larnaka Tourist Beach
End Point: Meneou
Total Distance: 18km
Difficulty Rating: An easy route, ideal for all types of bicycle.
Road Conditions: Good quality, paved road throughout.
 

Larnaka (Larnaca) – Nisou Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Larnaka (Larnaca) – Nisou Cycling Route

This 61km route from Larnaka (Larnaca) to Nisou­ through the hills of the Kakoradjia region ­ is a difficult ride and links up nicely with a number of alternative routes.

Starting at the Larnaka Port roundabout, it travels along 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 Phaneromeni Church on the Larnaka Airport – Meneou road. From there it turns right and goes south, past the airport roundabout and southwest to Meneou village. Just before Kiti village, it turns right towards Mazotos village, 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 village and reaches Kofinou village, where it meets the old Lefkosia (Nicosia) – ­ Lemesos (Limassol)  road. It then turns right and to the north towards Lefkosia. From this point on, it becomes more difficult, owing to a 6km long / 220m high vertical climb. After that, it is downhill all the way through the villages of Pyrga, Mosfiloti, Alampra and Nisou.

Start Point: Larnaka Port roundabout
End Point: Nisou
Total Distance: 61km
Height Gain: 505m
Difficulty Rating: A medium – difficult route. There are a number of steep uphills requiring a street bicycle with at least 14 speeds.
Road Conditions: Paved road throughout.
 

 

Kofinou – Pafos (Paphos) Cycling Route

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Kofinou – Pafos (Paphos) Cycling Route

This 110km route is designed for strong cyclists, and passes along the old Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Lemesos (Limassol) – Pafos (Paphos) road in its entirety.

The route starts at Kofinou village, heading first south and then southwest, to reach Lemesos after passing through the villages of Choirokoitia, 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. Thereafter, it goes northwest ending up near the Pafos Stadium.

Start Point: Kofinou
End Point: Pafos Stadium
Total Distance: 110km
Height Gain: 510m
Difficulty Rating: A route of medium difficulty, without any particularly steep uphills, although some of the short distances could be considered to be. Requires a good quality street bike with at least 14 speeds.
Road Conditions: Good quality, paved road throughout.