Overview
This is a walking tour based in three accommodations, offering some of the best walking experiences on the beautiful island of Cyprus, known as the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite. The trip takes in the best Troodos trails and the Akamas peninsula, with an additional inland walk experience in between. It is suitable for different tastes as on most days we provide options to choose from shorter and longer walks. Troodos Mountains are the largest mountain range in Cyprus and are known for their unique geology and Byzantine churches and monasteries. Akamas Peninsula impresses with its wide sandy bays, rocky hiking trails offering stunning views and wildlife diversity.
- Troodos Mountains – the largest range in Cyprus
- Kelephos medieval Venetian bridge
- The beautiful beaches of Akamas peninsula
- Baths of Aphrodite cave
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kakopetria Village
Kakopetria village is built upon the foothill of the Troodos Mountains and is perched at an altitude of 667m. Old Kakopetria is a charming village, between two streams. It has narrow alleys and houses built in a combination of local stone and adobe. There is a walking trail to the west of the west stream. Exploring the old part as well as walking on the trail next to the stream, are highly recommended. There are two UNESCO World Heritage Troodos painted churches within walking distance from your accommodation. 11th c. Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis, about 2km from old Kakopetria, is the most striking of the two (visiting hours: Tue – Sat 09.00 – 16.00, Sun 11.00 – 16.00, closed on Mondays).
- Accommodation: The Mill Hotel or similar
Day 2: Artemis Trail and Caledonia Falls Trail
Today’s walk is composed of two very different trails, one of which – Artemis trail – is the Cyprus trail with the highest elevation (1,800m).
Artemis trail is circular and has a length of 7km. A short transfer in the morning (20min) will take you from Kakopetria to the ‘North Face’ ski slope cafe to start the Artemis walk. Walking on Artemis offers superb panoramic views of different parts of Cyprus. The trail combines barren rocky land that is home of the endemic Troodos juniper, with forested stretches of black pine and walking next to cliffs at some parts. You will pass by some ancient and huge trees. Please note that when there is snow, we advise against doing this walk. There are other lower elevation alternatives that we can suggest (included in the package). There is an optional circular version in which the trail descends a ski slope.
The walk for today also includes a part of the Atalante trail, which ends at Troodos Square. You can have some rest here before you continue along a short stretch on a paved road to the Persephone trail which leads you to the linear Caledonia waterfalls trail. With a length of just 3km, it is quite steep and crosses the stream at points. About midway of the route, you will reach Caledonia Waterfall, a major natural attraction. The trail finishes in Platres village. Transfer back to Kakopetria (30min).
- Walking for the day (Artemis walk – Atalante – Persephone – Caledonia Waterfalls): 19km, 5-6h, ↑600m ↓1,200m
- Accommodation: The Mill Hotel or similar
Day 3: Madari Circular Walks
This is a superb 13km long circular trail near Madari Mountain, in the area of Pitsilia, in the Troodos mountain range. There are several relatively convenient starting points. The trail is of medium to strenuous difficulty, with some strenuous ascents and descents. You will enjoy great views to the south, including Morphou bay, to the north, including the village of Kyperounta and Troodos peak, to the west including the village of Spilia. There is great variety in vegetation – you walk past golden oak, wild rose and mastic bushes, junipers, pine, strawberry trees, rock rose and sage, and even cedar, plane trees and bracken. There are also some fascinating rock formations in the area. Do not miss the Xyliatos lake and Panagia tou Araka church, one of the ten UNESCO World Heritage painted churches of Troodos.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 4-5h, ↑800m ↓800m
- Accommodation: The Mill Hotel or similar
Day 4: Platy Valley and Kelephos Medieval Venetian Bridge
Platy valley is one of the jewels of Cyprus nature. Before you start the walk, you can visit one of the three UNESCO World Heritage Painted Churches of Troodos in the area. In the summer Platy Valley is covered in green, you may see many pine and plane trees in the valley, an abundance of bracken and even fig trees. It is possible to encounter frogs, freshwater crabs or moufflon in the valley. Another stretch is on the part of a trail that is called the Medieval Bridges trail, which according to local tradition was used by camel caravans to carry material from the copper mines on the north side of Troodos to Paphos port for export. When you reach Kelephos Medieval Venetian Bridge probably the most photographed of the medieval bridges in the country, just inside Paphos Forest, you will be picked up and transferred to the village of Droushia (1.5h), where you will spend the next two nights.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 4-5h, ↑400m ↓800m
- Accommodation: Droushia Heights Hotel or similar
Day 5: Akamas Coast and Avakas Gorge
Today you will explore Akamas west coast, starting the walk from your accommodation. The short version of this walking route is a 12km descent, however, it is possible to extend the walk and finish at Agios Georgios. A private transfer will bring you back to your hotel in Droushia.
- Walking for the day (long option): 22km, ↑400m ↓1000m
- Walking for the day (short option): 12km, ↑100m ↓700m
- Accommodation: Droushia Heights Hotel or similar
Day 6: Akamas Panorama Walk
Today you enjoy the Akamas Panorama Walk, traversing the pristine Akamas peninsula. On the way, you will be enjoying glorious views initially of the west coast and subsequently, on the imposing Moutti Tis Sotiras peak, of the north-west, and of the north coast, all the way to Pomos in the northeast. The long walking option starts at Drousheia village, from where it goes north. If you would like to shorten the walking for the day, a taxi will take you to the village of Neo Chorio from where the path goes west (should be booked in advance at a supplement). At the end of the walk, you leave Akamas from the small yet mythical Baths of Aphrodite cave – according to the legend, the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite used to bathe in the pool of the natural cave, amidst the lush greenery. The cave is next to a beach with a café and a restaurant, where you can have some rest before returning to your hotel – you can either take the local bus or walk for about 2km.
- Walking for the day (long option): 20km, 4h ↑500m ↓1,000m
- Walking for the day (short option with a taxi transfer to Neo Chorio): 13km, 3h, ↑550m ↓750m
- Accommodation: Aphrodite Beach Hotel or similar
Day 7: Adonis Trail or Free Day
Today is a free day, and you can choose to spend it on the clear pebble beach or make some easy optional walks. You can also visit Paphos ancient city – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the walks you can do is the Adonis trail on the Akamas north coast.
- Walking for the day: 7km, 2h ↑350m ↓350m
- Accommodation: Aphrodite Beach Hotel or similar
Day 8: Departure
The tour ends after breakfast. By public bus to the airport or you can book a private transfer with us (recommendable). Or you can extend your stay.
What to expect
Accommodation
The accommodation is in family-owned hotels in private rooms with ensuite facilities. The Aphrodite Beach Hotel is the last hotel outside the Akamas Natural Park.
Click to view sample hotels
- Sample hotels: The Mill Hotel (Kakopetria Village)
- Droushia Heights Hotel (Droushia)
- Aphrodite Beach Hotel (Polis Chryosochous)
*All accommodations have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired 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
The overnights are on bed & breakfast basis. Items for lunch are on purchase in the local mini-market in all villages. In most hotels you can order a packed lunch (recommended to be arranged at Aphrodite Beach Hotel, options are to go to the nearby village); discuss with the hosts what they can make for you and what you like and pay for your lunch on the spot in cash. Occasionally there is a possibility for a tavern lunch on your walk as well. Evening dinner can be enjoyed in one of the local taverns or at some of the accommodations where you will stay for overnight.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is graded moderate, it is appropriate for experienced walkers and requires a good level of fitness. The daily walks are typically 4 to 5h (16km on average). Nature trails are well marked – much of day 2 and day 6, and most of day 3; partially on day 4 and day 5. On day 2, day 4, day 5 and day 6, some stretches are on dirt roads. It is best to follow the GPS tracks and the maps provided. Parts of the Artemis trail (day 2) Madari circular trail (day 3), Aphrodite trail (day 6) are close to cliffs or steep slopes and are not suitable for people with vertigo, but you will admire amazing views.
We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed digital road notes and maps, as well as GPS tracks 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. The route can be walked in the summer as well when some shorter walk possibilities are recommended.
When to Go
This trip is available from March until the end of May and from mid-September until the end of November. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date in the season. As in the summer it gets very hot, it is not recommended that you do this walk in June-August, but the tour can be arranged on request in this period.
Cyprus has a subtropical climate – Mediterranean and semi-arid type (in the north-eastern part of the island) with very mild winters (on the coast) and warm to hot summers. Snow is possible only in the Troodos Mountains in the central part of island. Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry. Generally, summers last about eight months, beginning in April with average temperatures of 21–23C during the day and ending in November with average temperatures of 22–23C. The middle of summer is hot – in July and August on the coast the average temperature is usually around 33C, and in June and September – around 30C.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Arrival The Mill Hotel
- By public bus from Paphos Airport: Buses 613 + 26 + 47 + 405
- By public bus from Larnaca Airport: Buses 425 + 42 + 47 + 405
Departure Aphrodite Beach Hotel
- By public bus to Paphos or Larnaca. Hotel to Paphos Airport : Buses 622 + 645 +613 (or 622 + 649)
- Hotel to Larnaca Airport: Buses 622 + 645 + intercity bus to Limassol + Shuttle bus to Larnaca airport
Private Transfers
On arrival and departure day, private transfers can be arranged to/from Larnaca or Paphos Airport.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation (private en-suite)
- Breakfast on each day
- Luggage transfers when changing hotels on day 4 and 6
- Transfers as per itinerary
- 24/7 telephone assistance by our local office/representative in Cyprus
- All the needed navigation materials in digital format
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Other public transport
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
Options, Extras and Supplements
- Where solo travellers or individual members of a group require a single room, a supplement is applicable as costs are not shared
- Extra nights in each accommodation
- Private arrival or departure transfers to and from the airports
- Buffet dinners at Droushia Heights Hotel and Aphrodite Beach Hotel
Gallery
