Overview
An eight day, self-guided Cyprus walking holiday based in three different parts of the island. Using your own rental car (cost not included), explore a wide array of Cyprus’ natural heritage, from coastal to forest trails, elevated and ancient. The Troödos Mountains feature highly and, for your hikes in their heart, you’re based in the village of Pano-Platres. Another highlight is the Artemis Nature Trail, close to the summit of Mount Olympos. Walk to abandoned monasteries, through ancient oak forests and to waterfalls, as well some superb trails on flora and fauna-rich Akamas Peninsula.
- Paphos
- Three locations: short driving distances
- Troödos Mountains
- Paphos
- Mount Olympos
- Akamas Peninsula
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cyprus
Pick up car rental and drive from Larnaca or Paphos airport to your first accommodation in Tochni. If you arrive early, there is plenty of time to do some sightseeing along the way. Near Larnaca airport, for example, there’s an impressive salt lake, as well as Hala Sultan Tekke mosque and surrounding gardens. During summer the salt lake dries up, but if there is water you will often see flamingos there. From Paphos, you can make stops at the Rock of Aphrodite and the Roman excavations of Kourion.
- Accommodation – Danae House (Tochni) or similar
Day 2: Exploration of rural Cyprus | 9km
Today is a great introduction to rural Cyprus, with a circular walk that takes in Kalavasos. There are also many excavations to explore by car such as at Tenta (near Kalavasos), the Neolithic excavations at Chirokitia and the Roman sites of Amathous and Kourion (near Lemesos). The day comes to a close on the coast, at Governor’s beach, with the nearby white cliffs of Cape Dolos.
- Walking for the day: 3.5h, 9km, ↑220m ↓220m
- Accommodation – Danae House (Tochni) or similar
Day 3: Nature trails of Nicosia | 6-7km
From Tochni, walk to the small village of Chirokitia, and a nearby UNESCO Neolithic excavation which is accessible via a nature trail. Outside Kalavasos, hike towards the abandoned ancient village of Drapia through a wide valley with views and an old copper mine. A second option for today is going to the ancient capital of Nicosia (1h drive), via the Lefkara ,famous for its fine embroiderers.
- Walking for the day: 2.5h, 6-7km, ↑170m ↓170m
- Accommodation – Danae House (Tochni) or similar
Day 4: Troödos Mountains | 3-10km
From Tochni, head to the Troödos Mountains, a UNESCO Geopark, where you stay at Pano Platres. Drive either via a beautiful mountain route, or via Limassol. Visit the old centre as well as the excavations at Amathous of Kourion. If you have time, there’s an additional walk to a nearby waterfall, as well as an option for a longer circular walk. Bring the evening to a close with a wine tasting at Omodhos.
- Walking for the day: 1-4h, 3-10km, ↑450m ↓450m
- Accommodation: Hotel New Elvetia (Pano Platres) or similar
Day 5: Artemis nature trail | 7km
A hiking day in the mountains where there is a beautiful circular hike near the summit of Mount Olympos, called the Artemis Nature Trail, with few ascents or descents and spectacular views. Drive to Omodhos in the afternoon with a choice of walks through forests and mountain villages, with some beautiful churches with frescoes en route. There is also an option to do one of the shorter hikes described on day four, to Millomeri or Kaledonian waterfalls.
- Walking for the day: 2h, 7km, ↑120m ↓120m
- Accommodation: Hotel New Elvetia (Pano Platres) or similar
Day 6: Akamas Peninsula | 3.5-4.5km
From Troödos to the Akamas Peninsula, there are several options to fill the day. You can go to Stavros tsis Psokas, where there is a beautiful short nature trail with cedar trees and mouflons along the way. Or head to Paphos to visit ancient sites such as the King’s Tombs, Roman mosaics encircling the ruins of the ancient Greek city and the Crusader Castle built next to it. Another great hike is to Avakas Gorge, which you can explore from a beach, depending on the water level. After a rest or a swim, drive for one hour to your next accommodation.
- Walking for the day: 2h, 3.5-4.5km, ↑260m ↓260m
- Accommodation: Hotel Natura Beach (Polis) or similar
Day 7: Walks or Paphos | 6.5-7km
Today you have a choice of two short walks or going to the excavations of Paphos, if there was no time on day six. One walking option is the Smigies Nature Trail near Neo Chorio over dirt roads, rural paths and pine forests. This leads to fantastic views along the Lara coast. Another hike starts at the Baths of Aphrodite where you can either enjoy a dip, or a walk along the Aphrodite Trail.
- Walking for the day: 2.5-3h, 6.5-7km, ↑320m ↓320m
- Accommodation: Hotel Natura Beach (Polis) or similar
Day 8: Departure
Drive to Paphos or Larnaca airport to drop-off your rental car.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Danae House (Tochni)
- Hotel New Elvetia (Pano Platres)
- Hotel Natura Beach (Polis)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Every morning a Cypriot breakfast is waiting for you, buffet style. Lunch can be bought on the road and for dinner, dine at your hotel or a restaurant nearby. In Tochni, the taverna of the organisation that manages the cottages is also the best in the village.
Difficulty and terrain
Because you are traveling by car, most of the walks are circular. With a rental car, you are of course very flexible and you can also undertake activities other than hiking. The emphasis of this trip is on both nature and culture. You mostly hike on good trails, about 2-4h per day, sometimes divided into two possible trips. Sometimes the path is narrow and stony or you will make a short, steep descent. During the hikes, the elevation changes never exceed a few hundred metres. (read more about difficulty grades)
We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
You can book this package for travel between April to October, although spring and autumn are the best times to visit. In summer it is usually very hot and dry in Cyprus, except in the forested mountains, but it is often too hot along the coast for longer hikes.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Arrival at first accommodation: From Larnaca airport, it is a 30mins drive to the first accommodation and from Paphos, it takes an hour. The last part of the drive is on narrow mountain roads (Note that in Cyprus they drive on the left). If you arrive in Cyprus in the evening and do not want to drive in the dark, you may want to book an extra night near the airport.
Departure from final accommodation: From the last accommodation to Paphos Airport it is about 1h drive, and to Larnaca it’s over 2h. Since departures from Cyprus are usually not early, both airports are a good option.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road book and maps.
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights, public transportation and ferry tickets
- Car rental
- Admissions and entrance fees of any kind
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, etc
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Additional nights at any of the accommodations in this trip
- Upgraded accommodation options available only upon request
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