Fragma (Dam) Prodromou – Stavroulia (Linear) – Lemesos (Limassol) / Lefkosia (Nicosia) Districts, Troodos Forest Nature Trail

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 34.947845 Lon: 32.847256
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 34.971462 Lon: 32.862341
Altitude of the starting point: 1,592m
Altitude of the highest peak: 1,592m
Altitude of the end peak: 1,262m
Starting point: Troodos Square ­ Prodromos main road, a little bit above the Prodromos dam, at an 8km distance from Troodos Square and a 3km distance from Prodromos. There are two options for the finishing point, both on the Prodromos – Agios Nikolaos road.
Length: (a) 4.5km / (b) 5.5km
Estimated duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Difficulty rate: 3 (very sudden downhill)

 

Points of interest: The trail offers a wonderful view of Morfou Bay and the Troodos mountain range, and a panoramic view of the abandoned chrome mining tunnels. The trail passes through an incredibly dense black pine forest and is located within the Troodos National Forest Park. On the west side of the dam there is a picnic site ‘Fragma Prodromou’ and the ‘Marathos’ picnic site is found on the Agios Nikolaos ­ – Prodromos road.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Troodos catmint (Nepeta troodi), Cyprus germander (Teucrium cyprium subsp. cyprium), Troodos Alison (Alyssum troodi).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler  (Εndemic), Cyprus wheatear (Εndemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus snake (endemic).

Kannoures – Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (Linear) – Lemesos (Limassol) / Lefkosia (Nicosia) Districts, Troodos Forest Nature Trail

 

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 34.931739 Lon: 32.887044
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 34.977789 Lon: 32.885425
Altitude of the starting point: 1,654m
Altitude of the highest peak: 1,654m
Altitude of the end peak: 872m
Starting point: The main road of Karvounas ­ Troodos Square, 1km before Troodos, 9.5km from Karvounas. The trail can either end at the Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Church or continue until Kakopetria Village.
Length: 9km (12km until Kakopetria)
Estimated duration: 3 hours (4 hours until Kakopetria)
Difficulty rate: 3 (quite a difficult downhill route)

 

Points of interest: The trail begins at the source of the Karkotis River and crosses through the river’s beautiful valley, passing near the closed chrome mine and ending in Kakopetria. On the way, you can visit the Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis church (12th century) that boasts exquisite frescoes; it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the church, if you follow the Pedoulas – Kakopetria road for about three kilometres, you will end up in Kakopetria. The trail is located within the Troodos National Forest Park.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Shrubby knapweed (Ptilostemon chamaepeuce var. cyprius), Golden oak (Quercus alnifolia), Purple Rock Cress (Arabis purpurea), ‘Manouthkia’  (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers), Thyme (Thymus integer).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler  (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus lizard, Black whip snake, Montpellier snake.

Teisia tis Madaris (Circular) – Lefkosia (Nicosia) / Lemesos (Limassol) Districts, Adelfoi Forest Nature Trail

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 34.951404 Lon: 32.999168
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 34.951404 Lon: 32.999168
Altitude of the starting point: 1,582m
Altitude of the highest peak: 1,582m
Altitude of the end peak: 1,582m
Starting point: Close to the Madari fire lookout tower, near the ending point of the Doxa soi o Theos – Madari trail.
Length: 3km
Estimated duration: 1.5 hour
Difficulty rate: 3

 

Points of interest: There are tall, impressive cliffs along the trail, as well as areas of geological interest. You will also encounter beautiful views of the Mesaoria Plain and Morfou Bay. The trail connects with the Madari – Doxa soi o Theos trail and the Madari – Selladi tou Karamanli trail. The path is at an altitude of 1,600 metres. At the highest point of Adelfoi mountain (1,613 metres), you will find the Madari fire lookout tower.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Troodos rose (Rosa chionistrae), Troodos cat­mint (Nepeta troodi), Star­ of­ Bethlehem (Ornithogalum chionophilum), Chamomile (Anthemis plutonia), ‘Manouthkia’ (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers), Golden oak (Quercus alnifolia), Cedar (Cedrus brevifolia), Cyprus crocus (Crocus cyprius), Thyme (Thymus integer).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler  (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus lizard, Black whip snake.

Doxa soi o Theos – Pyrofylakio (Fire Lookout Station) Madaris (Linear) – Lefkosia (Nicosia) District, Adelfoi Forest Nature Trail

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 34.956223 Lon: 32.963155
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 34.956147 Lon: 32.995126
Altitude of the starting point: 1,338m
Altitude of the highest peak: 1,609m
Altitude of the end peak: 1,582m
Starting point: (a) At Doxa soi o Theos, 2km from Kyperounta and 5km from Spilia, on the Kyperounta – Spilia road.
(b) At the Madari fire lookout tower.
Length: 3.8km
Estimated duration: 2 hours
Difficulty rate: 3

 

Points of interest: There are panoramic views in all directions when you reach an altitude of around 1,400­-1,600m along the Madari ridge. The path ends close to the top of Adelfoi mountain (1,613 metres). The walk offers the opportunity to climb up the Madari fire lookout tower, which overlooks the area. The trail connects with other nature trails in the area, such as: the Madari ­ Selladi  tou Karamanli path, Teisia tis Madaris and the Doxa soi o Theos ­ Moutti tis Choras path. There is a fountain with drinking water at starting point (a).

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Shrubby knapweed (Ptilostemon chamaepeuce var. cyprius), Golden oak (Quercus alnifolia), Purple Rock Cress (Arabis purpurea), ‘Manouthkia’  (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers), Cyprus skullcap (Scutellaria cypria subsp. cypria), Thyme (Thymus integer).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood  pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus lizard, Black whip snake.

Agia Eirini – Limeria (Linear) – Lefkosia (Nicosia) District, Adelfoi Forest Nature Trail

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 34.980599 Lon: 32.968808
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 34.990647 Lon: 32.950746
Altitude of the starting point: 906m
Altitude of the highest peak: 1,217m
Altitude of the end peak: 1,204m
Starting point: Agia Eirini Village.
Length: 5km
Estimated duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty rate: 3 (steep uphill route)

 

Points of interest: The trail passes through a Calabrian pine forest with beautiful view spots of the Bay of Morfou (central­ west part of Cyprus). At Selladi tis Straorouthkias, the trail joins with the Kourdali – Limeria trail, and both trails share a common route for the next two kilometres. The trail ends at the location of Limeria with its many hideouts that were used during the anti­colonial National struggle war of 1955-19­59. Some six kilometres north of Agia Eirini Village there is a picnic site: ‘Kapoura’, which is situated next to the Kapoura Forest Station.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Golden oak (Quercus alnifolia), Thyme (Thymus integer), ‘Manouthkia’ (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers), Cyprus skullcap (Scutellaria cypria subsp. cypria).

Fauna: The main species found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood pigeon, Partridge, Cyprus warbler (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus lizard, Black whip snake.

Panagia tou Araka – Stavros tou Agiasmati (Linear) – Lefkosia (Nicosia) District, Adelfoi Forest Nature Trail

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 34.965616 Lon: 33.006824
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 34.978989 Lon: 33.045905
Altitude of the starting point: 1,035m
Altitude of the highest peak: 1,164m
Altitude of the end peak: 854m
Starting point: (a) Panagia tou Araka, Lagoudera
(b) Stavros tou Agiasmati (8km from Platanistasa).
Length: 7km
Estimated duration: 3 hours
Difficulty rate: 3

 

Points of interest:  Of particular interest on this route are the churches of Panagia tou Araka (1192 AD) and Stavros tou Agiasmati (1494 AD) which boast outstanding frescoes and are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The trail passes through a pine forest, vineyards, almond trees and old stone structures. To the east of the trail you will see Kionia peak. To the north you will see the Morfou plain and Pentadaktylos mountain range. To the west, you will see Troodos, and to the south you will see Madari. The trail connects with the Lagoudera or Agros – Madari trail. At the entrance of the Panagia tou Araka church you will find a 700 year ­old oak tree.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Thyme (Thymus integer), Shrubby knapweed (Ptilostemon chamaepeuce var. cyprius), ‘Manouthkia’ (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers), Cyprus skullcap (Scutellaria cypria subsp. cypria).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus lizard, Cyprus chameleon, Black whip snake

Xyliatos (Circular) – Lefkosia (Nicosia) District, Adelfoi Forest Nature Trail

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 35.009318 Lon: 33.036420
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 35.009318 Lon: 33.036420
Altitude of the starting point: 543m
Altitude of the highest peak: 601m
Altitude of the end peak: 543m
Starting point: (a) The overflow of the dam, (b) The dam’s picnic site.
Length: 3.8km
Estimated duration: 1 – 1.5 hour
Difficulty rate: 2

 

Points of interest: The trail begins at the overflow of the dam and runs alongside the highest water level point of the dam. It then crosses the artificial bridge over the dam. The uphill trail takes you to the Xyliatos – ­Lagoudera road, which leads you to the starting point if you follow through the dam’s embankment. The trail connects with another 200-metre trail, which starts from the picnic site ‘Fraktis tou Xyliatou’ (Xyliatos Dam) then follows a small section of the Xyliatos – ­Lagoudera road, joining with the circular path at the dam’s embankment. The dam itself is also of interest. A section of the path passes through a pine forest where you will encounter varieties of the golden oak tree, strawberry tree, myrtle, oriental alder and rockrose.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Shrubby knapweed (Ptilostemon chamaepeuce var. cyprius), Purple Rock ­ Cress (Arabis purpurea), ‘Manouthkia’ (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers), Cyprus skullcap (Scutellaria cypria subsp. elatior), Thyme (Thymus integer), Wild garlic (Allium willeanum).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Fish: Trout, carp, bass.

Amphibians: Frogs.

Kionia – Profitis Ilias (Linear) – Lefkosia (Nicosia) District, Machairas Forest Nature Trail

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 34.920214 Lon: 33.197602
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 34.933480 Lon: 33.246317
Altitude of the starting point: 1,251m
Altitude of the highest peak: 1,251m
Altitude of the end peak: 677m
Starting point: Kionia picnic site. There are two access points to the trail- one from the Machairas monastery road that leads to Kionia, and the other from the Vavatsinia to Machairas road.
Length: 7km
Estimated duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty rate: 3 (steep downhill path, especially towards the end)

 

Points of interest: The trail starts at the Kionia picnic site, where you can find a fountain with drinking water, and runs through a forest section where it affords great views of the Mesaoria plain, which belongs to the Machairas National Forest Park a Natura 2000 site. There is a perennial strawberry tree on the trail, whilst the picnic site boasts perennial pine and arar trees. The trail ends at the Profitis Ilias picnic site, approximately eight kilometres from Lythrodontas and six kilometres from Mandra tou Kambiou, via dirt roads.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Shrubby knapweed (Ptilostemon chamaepeuce var. cyprius), Golden oak (Quercus alnifolia), Purple Rock ­ Cress (Arabis purpurea), ‘Manouthkia’ (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood pigeon, Partridge, Cyprus warbler  (endemic),

Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Black whip Snake, Cyprus lizard.

Avakas Gorge (Linear) – Pafos (Paphos) District, Akamas Forest – Nature Trails (Temporarily closed)

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 34.920499 Lon: 32.337698
Altitude of the starting point: 47m
Altitude of the highest peak: 45m
Altitude of the end peak: 45m
Starting point: Avakas Gorge, following the Agios Georgios Pegeias – Toxeftra road for 2.5km and heading east from where Toxeftra Bay begins.
Length: 1.2km
Estimated duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty rate: 1 – 2

 

Points of interest: The Avakas Gorge Trail is located in the homonymous gorge, within Pegeia state forest with the end of the trail located inside the gorge. It follows the course of the Avgas River, from where the gorge gets its name and resulted from constant erosive activity on the erodible, sloping limestone rocks composed of loams, chalks, reef and grain limestone and bentonitic clays. The gorge is also a Natura 2000 area. The trail firstly follows a dirt road (closed to private vehicles) through an open valley, then takes you into the gorge. In its last section, the trail is in the stream, in which water usually flows throughout the year. The route through the gorge is characterised by thick vegetation and a particularly attractive, shady and moist environment.

Flora: While hiking you can study the indigenous plants: lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus), Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus), thorny broom (Calycotome villosa), common smilax (Smilax aspera), oleander (Nerium oleander), storax (Styrax officinalis), and the endemic endangered Akamas centaury (Centaurea akamantis).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog. Birds: Cyprus wheatear (endemic), Cyprus warbler (endemic), scops owl (endemic), partridge, little owl, kestrel, wild pigeon.

Reptiles: Stellion lizard. Amphibians: Marsh frog, iridescent frog, tree frog.

Pissouromoutti (Circular) – Pafos (Paphos) District, Akamas Forest Nature Trail

GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 35.023417 Lon: 32.333405
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 35.023417 Lon: 32.333405
Altitude of the starting point: 285m
Altitude of the highest peak: 400m
Altitude of the end peak: 285m
Starting point: Smigies picnic site.
Length: 3km
Estimated duration: 2 hours
Difficulty rate: 2 (upward and downward gradients around the hill)

 

Points of interest: There are many points of exceptional view along the trail, but the most impressive view is from the top of the hill. Here, you can seamlessly enjoy nature all around you (toward the south coast: Tzioni, Geranissos, Lara, Agios Georgios Pegeias, and toward the north coast: Chrysochou Bay). Part of the trail passes through a pine forest that offers shade on warm summer days, making the walk particularly unique and enjoyable. Smigies picnic site has drinking water flowing directly to the area from a spring.

Flora: While hiking you can study the indigenous plants: Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus), terebinths (Pistacia terebinthus), rockroses (Cistus creticus, Cistus monspeliensis etc), wild thyme (Thymus capitatus).