Best hiking routes in Cyprus

With its stunning coasts, steep mountains and dense green forests, Cyprus is a dream destination for your next hiking trip abroad.

The Aphrodite Trail

Region: Famagusta

Length of trail: 2km

Time to complete: 1 hour

Image credit: iStock/ZinaidaSopina

 

This gorgeous 2km trail is located within Cape Greco National Forest Park and passes by the incredible ancient ruins dedicated to the Goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite

 

The trail begins at the visitors’ centre and takes you through an easy-going downhill incline until you arrive at the beach.

 

Here you’ll pass through the Agioi Anargyroi Sea Caves, which were once used by shepherds to protect their animals.

 

A relaxing hike which lasts just an hour, you’ll finish up at Blue Lagoon peering into its stunning turquoise waters.

 

Fragrant indigenous plants such as Phoenician juniper, wild thyme and prickly burnet add to the experience. 

Agia Eirini Nature Trail

Region: Nicosia

Length of trail: 5km

Time to complete: 2.5 hours

Image credit: iStock/Tuutikka

This is definitely one for the nature lovers out there. This hiking trail is 5km long and takes about 2.5 hours to complete.

 

The linear trail follows a steep, uphill route that offers incredible views of Morphou Bay.

 

The trail passes through a Calabrian pine forest, where you might spot birds such as Bonelli’s eagle, the Eurasian jay and Cyprus warbler, plus reptiles like the Cyprus viper, Cyprus lizards and black whip snake.

 

The trail ends in Limeria, which is famous for its many unique hideouts used during Cyprus’ anti­colonial war between 1955 and 1959.

Artemis Trail

Region: Limassol

Length of trail: 7km

Time to complete: 3 hours

Image credit: iStock/Olga_Gavrilova

Grab your hiking boots and hit the road!

 

This is a pleasant, easy-going circular trail that brings you through the black pine forests of Troodos National Park (some of the oldest trees date back over 500 years) and around the top of Mount Olympus.

 

This trail takes 3 hours to complete and passes ancient fortifications used by Venetian generals against the Ottoman Empire.

 

Mount Olympus is the highest point in Cyprus and the views from around its peak in central Limassol are simply breathtaking.

Adonis Trail

Region: Paphos

Length of trail: 7.5km

Time to complete: 3-4 hours

Image credit: iStock/AlexBrylov

Ah, Paphos. This sunny southwest destination enjoys a gorgeous subtropical climate where temperatures reach up to 25 degrees during the summer.

 

The city boasts a number of excellent hiking trails that are perfect for summer, like the Adonis trail inside Akamas Forest.

 

This trail gives brilliant views of Paphos Forest, the Akamas peninsula and the nearby town of Poli Chrysochous.

 

Lasting 7.5km, the route comes full circle so you can enjoy the lovely flowers on display at Akamas’s Botanical Gardens too.

 

There are a number of interesting wild animals and local birds for visitors to see in Akamas Forest, like the Cyprus warbler and Cyprus wheatear.

Atalanti Trail

Region: Limassol

Length of trail: 14km

Time to complete: 4-5 hours

Image credit: iStock/trabantos

If the 7km Artemis trail isn’t long enough, then this is the one for you.

 

As Cyprus’s second highest (and most popular) hiking trail, Atalanti is made for outdoor enthusiasts.

 

At 14km long, it will take you between four and five hours to complete… but boy is it worth it.

 

The trail goes around Chionistra Mountain and Mount Olympus, where you’ll see unique local plants like the Golden oak, the Manouthkia shrub (dotted with pink flowers), and the Troodos Alison.

 

The entrance tunnel to the abandoned chrome mine is a noteworthy site along the way, as is the Church of St. Nicholas of the Roof (an 11th century Byzantine monastery).

 

Troodos Forest has some of the most incredible views of Cyprus’ island landscape, while its array of pines, cedars and juniper trees provide a treat for the senses.

 

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