Author: Christos

Main 5 – Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Lythrodontas – Mosfiloti – Larnaka (Larnaca) Cycling Route

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The route begins at the Tseri village and goes through the villages of Tseri, Analiondas and Lythrodontas. It then takes an easterly course through the villages of Mathiatis, Sia, Mosfiloti, Psevdas and Agia Anna until it reaches the Kalo Chorio grade separated junction near the old Larnaka-Kofinou road. There it turns left and to the northwest to reach the Larnaka Fire Department traffic lights and from there the main beachfront of Larnaka city, the Palm tree beach (Foinikoudes).

Route Description: This route is an alternative for going from Larnaka to Lefkosia or vice versa. The monotony of travelling only on paved roads is broken by going through several villages allowing for a little sightseeing and rest.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 52.1km
Elevation Gain: 368m
Highest point: 430m
Lowest point: 4m
Loop: NO
Terrain: Mixed
Road surface: Paved
  Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Tseri 0,0 0,0
Analiontas 8,7 8,7
Lythrodontas 6,7 15,4
Mathiatis 4,8 20,2
Sia 6,0 26,2
Mosfiloti 3,9 30,1
Psevdas 3,4 33,5
Agia Anna 1,8 35,3
Kalo Chorio 3,8 39,1
Kalo Chorio grade separated junction 3,6 42,7
Larnaka Fire Department traffic lights 4,9 47,6
Foinikoudes 4,5 52,1

Lefkosia 3 – Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Aderfoi Forest – Asinou Cycling Route

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The route’s starting point is the junction on the outskirts of Lakatameia near the “Metro” supermarket. The route heads west for about half a kilometre before it reaches the Lakatameia bicycle path on the banks of the Pediaios riverbed. The bicycle path ends south on Agios Georgios street, where it turns right and west reaching the traffic lights on the Lefkosia-Palaichori road. Almost exactly opposite the traffic lights lies the road that leads to the village of Agioi Trimithias and then towards Palaiometocho and Meniko. From Meniko the route follows the road to the village of Kato Moni. From there Mitsero quarry is visible to the southeast and the Troodos mountains to the southwest.

From Kato Moni the route heads north on the Platanistasa road. It climbs for a short distance then turns right towards the village of Agia Marina. From Agia Marina it passes through the village of Agios Georgios, and past the Kapoura picnic site and the villages of Kannavia and Spilia.

There is a road at the entrance of Spilia and to the right that leads to Agios Theodoros. From there the road takes you to the main road from Troodos to Lefkosia where you head north towards Koutrafas and Nikitari village before you reach Panagia tis Asinou.

Difficulty rate: A difficult course with an average gradient of 2% but not greater than 5%.The course requires road bike with 20 speeds.
Road condition: The entire route is on paved roads.
Route Description: This excursion takes cyclists from the outskirts of Lefkosia to the forest of Adelfoi and past the early Byzantine church of Panagia Forviotissa (Asinou).

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 85.9km
Elevation Gain: 2058m
Highest point: 1154m
Lowest point: 176m
Loop: NO
Terrain: Mountain
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Lakatamia 0,0 0,0
Agioi Trimithias 11,7 11,7
Palaiometocho 3,9 15,6
Meniko 5,6 21,2
Agioi Iliofotoi 5,5 26,7
Kato Moni 2,6 29,3
Agia Marina Xyliatou 3,9 33,2
Xyliatos 3,0 36,2
Agios Georgios 4,6 40,8
Kapouras 3,6 44,4
Kannavia 3,7 48,1
Agia Eirini 1,1 49,2
Spilia 4,8 54,0
Kourdali 1,6 55,6
Agios Theodoros Soleas 10,4 66,0
Kato Koutrafas 11,4 77,4
Nikitari 4,8 82,2
Panagia tis Asinou 3,7 85,9

Lakatamia – Strovolos Cycling Route

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The municipalities of Lakatamia and Strovolos have created an 8km bicycle path along the banks of the Pediaios River; from Lakatamia all the way to the Presidential Palace.

Start Point: Lakatamia
End Point: Presidential Palace
Total Distance: 8km
Difficulty Rating: An easy route for all types of bicycle.
Road Conditions: Unpaved but smooth path.
 

Athalassa National Forest Park Cycling Route

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Located south of Lefkosia (Nicosia), and to the east of the Lefkosia – Lemesos (Limassol) motorway, the Athalassa National Forest Park has a 16km bicycle path that was created at the initiative of the Forestry Department. It is a popular area for locals who go there for exercise and recreation.

Start Point: South of Lefkosia
End Point: East of the Lefkosia – Lemesos (Limassol) motorway
Total Distance: 16km
Difficulty Rating: An easy route for all types of bicycle.
Road Conditions: Paved road throughout.
 

Byzantine Route: 10 Painted Churches of Troodos Religious Route

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Discover the island’s deep religious roots and its significance in the history of Christianity as you follow a path that takes in sacred churches and monasteries, all revered and priceless in their evidence of faith, and humbling to behold.

A genuine Byzantine treasure trove is nestled in the mountain range of Troodos, and reveals the island’s religious heritage through Holy buildings that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. With the island situated at crucial crossroads of the Eastern Mediterranean, the land is characterised by one of the greatest concentrations of churches and grandiose monasteries of the former Byzantine Empire.

With 10 of these beautifully painted churches included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, days out can be spent driving through the areas of Pitsilia, Solea and Marathasa to uncover the stories of their origins, which are as fascinating as the structures themselves. Unique steep-pitched timber roofs shelter chunky wooden doors that open up onto an array of vivid icons and frescos depicting saints, Apostles and stories from the Bible in all their colourful glory.

The sequence of churches dedicated to the Holy Cross is particularly significant. They pay tribute to Agia Eleni, Mother of Constantine the Great, who passed through Cyprus when returning from the Holy Land and was integral in paving the path of Christianity on the island.

PITSILIA
1.   Stavros tou Agiasmati
2.   Metamorfosis tou Sotiro
3.   Timios Stavros
4.   Panagia tou Araka

SOLEA
5.   Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis
6.   Panagia Podithou
7.   Panagia Asinou

MARATHASA
8.   Agios Ioannis Lambadistis
9.   Panagia tou Moutoulla
10. Archangelos Michael

 

Cyprus of Apostles Pavlos and Varnavas Religious Route

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This route follows the steps of Apostles Pavlos and Varnavas starting as follows:

Larnaka (Larnaca) – Kiti – Amathounta – Kourio – Pafos (Paphos) – Agios  Georgios  Pegeias – Salamina – Pegeia then Larnaka, ­ Pegeia, Stavrovouni – Omodos and Larnaka – Tsada.

This route is related to a significant part of the religious history of Cyprus since the passage of these two apostles from Cyprus formed one of the most significant historical facts of the island.

The route gives visitors the opportunity to visit significant churches such as that of Agios Lazaros in Larnaka, Panagia Aggeloktisti in Kiti, old­-Christian basilicas in Amathounta, Kourion and Pafos as well as the great stele where, according to tradition, Apostolos Pavlos was tied and whipped 40 times minus one. At the same time, in the course of this route, visitors will have the opportunity to also visit many ancient buildings which were connected to the Apostles.

Monuments: Monastery of Agios Lazaros in Larnaka, Church of Aggeloktisti in Kiti, Old–Christian basilicas in Amathounta, Kourio, Pafos and Pegeia.

This tour has different parts, therefore its total length varies.

The Heart of Religion

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An ethereal and blessed land, Cyprus’s religious roots are both sacred and humbling, as evidenced by the impressive number of monuments of religious devotion that tell the story of the island’s path to Christianity and its deep faith, from inception to the present day.

It is no coincidence that Cyprus ­ the island of beauty, where according to Greek myth the goddess Aphrodite was born ­ was chosen as the first place to receive the great message of the new faith on the advent of Christianity. The island became the gateway through which the message of the Gospels spread throughout the length and breadth of the Ecumene. The first mission of the apostles Paul and Barnabas (the latter of Cypriot descent) occurred here in accordance with the will and wish of God: “…being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 12, 4).

This divine ‘choice’ – at the same time an ornament and endowment for the country – is expressed through the many monuments dedicated to prayer and devotion, but also through the plethora of holy men connected with the saintly island, thus endowing it with the expression ‘Cyprus the island of saints’.

Discover the churches, chapels and monasteries of the island, and immerse yourself in their journey of faith, history and culture. Through their unique structures; the biblical stories told in ancient icons and frescos; rich Ecclesiastical museums, and a Byzantine treasure trove of 10 painted mountain churches ­ so religiously priceless that they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List – you cannot fail to feel uplifted, and for your heart to fill with enlightenment, serenity and devotion.

To access the full brochure detailing all the religious routes, click here.