Walking in Cyprus

Guidebook detailing 44 walks in Cyprus, covering both the south and north of the island. Taking in pine-clad slopes, olive groves, rugged coastline and dramatic gorges, the graded routes of 3 to 20km (2 to 12 miles) make use of waymarked nature trails and visit historical sites of interest, including ancient castles and Byzantine monasteries.

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Overview

This guidebook presents 44 graded walks spread across the island, covering both southern and northern Cyprus, with a slight focus on the central Troodos region. Clear description and mapping is presented for each route and a route summary table makes it easy to choose an appropriate walk. The walks, of 3 to 20km, range from gentle strolls to longer, more demanding routes, sometimes involving steep ascents, difficult terrain or navigational challenge. They showcase Cyprus's captivating landscapes, from the sun-kissed coastline lapped by clear turquoise waters to the pine-clad slopes of the Troodos and Besparmak Mountains.

Many visit sites of historical interest - including UNESCO-listed Byzantine monasteries, Venetian bridges, defensive castles and hideouts from the 1950s independence struggle - and other highlights include the stunning Avakas Gorge, the caves of Cape Greco and the striking Besparmak range. As well as the walks, the guide offers plenty of information to help you organise and get the most out of your trip, with advice on transport, bases and border crossings.

There's far more to Cyprus than just the bustling resorts: the favourable climate, attractive scenery and many kilometres of footpaths and nature trails make it an ideal destination for walkers.

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
Location and geography
Plants and flowers
Wildlife
Brief history
Religion
Getting there
Border crossings
Getting around
Accommodation
Tourist information
Language
When to go and what to take
Maps and waymarking
Using this guide
Southern Cyprus
The west and the Akamas Peninsula
Walk 1 Aphrodite Trail, Akamas Peninsula
Walk 2 Adonis Trail, Akamas Peninsula
Walk 3A Smigies Nature Trail
Walk 3B Pissouromoutti Nature Trail
Walk 4 Avakas Gorge
Walk 5 Argaka Nature Trail
Walk 6 Horteri Nature Trail
Walk 7 Vouni path
Walk 8 Sinti Monastery – Roudia Bridge
Walk 9 Venetian bridges
The Troodos and central Cyprus
Walk 10 Xystarouda – Agiasma – Vasiliki Nature Trail
Walk 11 Prodromos Dam – Stavroulia Trail
Walk 12 Kannoures Trail
Walk 13 Mnimata Piskopon Trail
Walk 14 Atalante Trail
Walk 15 Artemis Trail
Walk 16 Caledonia circular
Walk 17 Pouziaris Trail
Walk 18 Loymata ton Aeton Trail
Walk 19 Madari Trail
Walk 20 Kannavia circular
Walk 21 Asinou Trail
Walk 22 Panagia tou Araka – Stavros tou Agiasmati
Walk 23 Politiko Nature Trail
Walk 24 Machairas Monastery – Fikardou
Walk 25 Kionia loop
Walk 26 Kakokefalos – Mantra tou Kampiou Trail
South and east
Walk 27 Hapotami Trail
Walk 28 Pissouri coast walk
Walk 29 Kyparissia Trail
Walk 30 Sea caves – Kavos Hill
Walk 31 Agioi Anargyroi – Cyclops Cave
Northern Cyprus
Walk 32 Monumental olive trees of Kalkanli
Walk 33 Sina Monastery circular
Walk 34 Lapta Baspinar Trail
Walk 35 The Fourth Castle
Walk 36 St Hilarion Castle
Walk 37 Buffavento Castle
Walk 38 Armenian monastery
Walk 39 Alevkaya circular
Walk 40 Esentepe – Antiphonitis Monastery
Walk 41 Kucuk Erenkoy circular
Walk 42 Tatlisu circular
Walk 43 Kantara Castle
Walk 44 Kumyali circular

Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Useful contacts
Appendix C Further reading

Updates

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October 2019

Corrections

Walk 22:

Total ascent/descent: 800m

Walk 5 :

It is advised not to do this walk as it is sadly no longer a nature trail. Devastating fire destroyed the vegetation in the area and all the signs are missing. It will take some time for the area to recover.

April 2019

Walk 4:

Park at Toxeftra Beach `car park` and head inland towards Viklary restaurant. About 900m from Toexftra Beach, there is a car park with a picnic area and information board, where the trail begins.

Feb 2019

Walk 27 Hapotami Trail:

High water level can make the river crossings more demanding and more dangerous. In the winter months, especially after heavy rain, high water level can make the crossings more difficult. Extra care should be taken.

Reviews

Cyprus is a land of pure beauty and many of its spectacular nature trails, paths and tracks are somewhat hidden and therefore relatively unknown by Westerners.

Cyprus is a land of pure beauty and many of its spectacular nature trails, paths and tracks are somewhat hidden and therefore relatively unknown by Westerners. This handy little guidebook helps with all that, and is stuffed full of 44 incredible walks in northern and southern Cyprus. each varying from a couple miles to 12 miles in length. With so many routes and lengths to choose from, there is truly something to suit every walker and their ability. Each walk offers different highlights such as the Kyrenia mountain range, rich archaeological sites and the Paphos Forest.

Adventure Travel magazine

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I can highly recommend this great little guidebook

Having lived in Cyprus for 14 years now, I do know many of the walks in the guide intimately, but I can highly recommend this great little guidebook, especially as you can just follow your GPS after downloading the routes - a bit like having your own personal guide!

Cyprus Walks website

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Blending information with inspiration, the result is a perfect companion to exploring this stunning Mediterranean Island.

Cyprus Living magazine

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Sample Route

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