Author: Christos

The course starts at Deftera and from there, it goes along the old road to Psimolofou, travelling through agricultural land, to reach the villages of Episkopeio and Politiko, near Agios Irakleidios monastery. From there it heads towards Filani and Machairas. The route from Politiko to Machairas monastery is a steady uphill, while that from Filani to Machairas monastery is a dirt track.

At a distance of 4km outside Politiko the road to the right leads to the village of Lazanias, while that to the left to the Agia Skepi chapel and the Machairas Monastery’s Educational Centre. After a mild ascent for about 3km, it comes across the Machairas quarry, from where a difficult climb begins going all the way up to the monastery. Just before the monastery, is the underground hideout of Gregoris Afxentiou, a Cypriot freedom fighter against the British. The road from here on is paved.

West of the monastery and to the right, is the road that leads to the villages of Lazanias, Gourri and Farmakas and joins up with the Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Pitsylia route. This route continues to the left and east and then once more turns to the north and starts descending. After 6km it goes past the Agios Onoufrios chapel and 3km further on it reaches the picnic site of Mantra tou Kampiou where public toilets and water are available. This is the official site of the 5,5km mountain bike piste of the Cyprus Sunshine Cup, where the international “Afxentia” race is held every year on the last weekend in February.

Past the picnic site, the course heads east on 6km of dirt road towards Lythrodontas. On the outskirts of the village the course turns north towards Analiontas, Tseri and Strovolos. Strovolos avenue leads back to Lefkosia.

Difficulty rate: A relatively difficult course climbing steadily for about 15km.It requires a mountain bike with a minimum of 27 speeds.
Road condition: A combination of paved and unpaved roads
Route description: Cyclists have the opportunity to visit the Machairas forest, the Machairas monastery, as well as the site where a local hero died in the struggle against British rule, Gregoris Afxentiou .

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The route starts from Lefkosia (Agioi Trimithias) and follows the road to Agia Marina, passes by the Xyliatos Dam before it reaches the villages of Saranti and Spilia, from where it takes the alternative route towards Agios Theodoros.

At Agios Theodoros the route crosses the main Lefkosia -Troodos road and reaches Kato Flasou where it begins to climb southwards going alongside the Karkotis river, and passing through the villages of Evrychou, Tembria, Kaliana, Galata and Kakopetria.

Keeping on the Kakopetria – Prodromos road, the road starts to climb towards the Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis monastery until it reaches Prodromos where it takes a turning to the right leading to the area Marathasa and the villages of Pedoulas, Moutoullas,Kalopanagiotis and Oikos.

The Pedoulas – Linou road crosses the main Lefkosia-Troodos road and then heads in a northeasterly direction to the village of Koutrafas situated on the banks of the Elia river. The road then climbs towards the villages of Nikitari and Vyzakia, where it follows the same route back to Lefkosia via Agia Marina Xyliatou, Kato Moni, Meniko and Palaiometocho, ending up at the Agioi Trimithias.

An alternative route to the Koutrafas-Nikitari route, is to return to Lefkosia on the main Lefkosia -Troodos road where you can expect more traffic.

Road condition: The route is totally on paved roads.
Route Description: This excursion will take you through the Solea Valley with its traditional architecture and its picturesque Byzantine churches, some of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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This course goes through the beautiful landscape and picturesque villages of the Pitsylia area, famous for its good wine and smoked meat specialities. Although the route is quite long, the section past the village of Alona is mainly descending all the way to Lefkosia.

The route follows part of the course from Lefkosia (Deftera) to Machairas up to the village of Episkopeio, but from there it heads west to the village of Arediou instead of the village of Politiko. It gradually climbs from the old Lefkosia-Palaichori road going through Malounta and Klirou and turns left towards Fikardou. From Fikardou it goes downhill to Gourri and then turns right on the road towards Gourri. After you pass through Gourri at the next junction you go left towards the village of Farmakas. From Farmakas the route continues west Apliki. From there it follows the road to Palaichori. From the village of Palaichori after a short climb turns right to take the road for Askas, Fterikoudi and Alona, where it turns right heading north and begins the descent towards Lefkosia. At Alona there is accommodation and restaurants if you wish to spend the night or a few more days in the area. After leaving Alona the course descends towards Platanistasa, passes the “Gefiri tis Panagias” forestry station, arriving at a right turn that leads east to the villages of Mitsero and Agrokipia and ultimately coming out at the Lefkosia-Palaichori road. From there to the left and south, the course reaches the Klirou District Gymnasium, where it turns right just before Arediou to meet the old Lefkosia-Palaichori road heading back to Lefkosia in the opposite direction.

Alternative route: At Gourri, instead of heading towards Lazanias, take the paved road for Farmakas and Palaichori. Turn right and to the north from Palaichori, instead of heading towards Askas-Alona, and start descending to Lefkosia (Deftera).
Difficulty rate: Quite a difficult course even though that the route is descending all the way past the village of Alona. It requires a road bike with low/ easy gear ratios.

To download the route in gpx format click here