which are often helpful when the path is overgrown. The start points of trails are usually marked with a wooden trail gate.
There are numbered pyramids at junctions, marked on the maps found at the beginning of the trails, to help orientation. Pyramids are mentioned in the walk descriptions and marked on the maps in this book.
Wild donkeys of the Karpaz Peninsula
Using this guide
An information box at the start of each walk provides the following information: start/finish point (including GPS coordinates), length of walk in kilometres, amount of ascent/descent in metres, difficulty rating (see grading information below), the length of time the walk is likely to take, and any details about refreshments and access that may be useful in planning. Note that where parking is mentioned it often refers to an informal parking area rather than an official car park. (At picnic sites there are usually plenty of places to park, and there are also often places for a couple of cars near the information board at the beginning of trails.)
The grading in this guide is only an indicator; bad weather, poor visibility and other factors can make any walk more challenging and even dangerous.
Grade 1: easy and/or short walk. Trail is without any significant ascent/descent. Waymarked route.
Grade 2: moderate, medium length or longer walk but mostly on easy terrain.
Grade 3: long walk and/or difficult terrain, or challenging route-finding.
The times provided – both for the walks themselves and between landmarks – are only an approximate indication. You should always allow extra time. The walk times do not take account of longer breaks for picnics or visiting a monument, castle or church.
The times and distances given in the route information boxes and route summary table are from the start to the finish of the walk. On there-and-back walks, the time is for the whole walk. On linear routes where the finish is different from the start, you will have to either arrange onward transport or retrace your steps to the start, in which case you would need to factor in additional walking time.
When planning a walk it is advisable to use Open Street Map (www.openstreetmap.org), Google Maps (www.maps.google.com) or a tourist map (available from tourist offices) to help locate the start-point. Access to the beginning of the trails is described in as much detail as possible. To help identify the exact spot, GPS coordinates are also given. These are especially useful in Northern Cyprus where the access is often difficult to describe, as roads are not numbered and the available maps don’t show street names in villages. Furthermore, many trails start from or end at a remote place or outside a village.
Where there is water available on the route it is noted in the walk description, but you should never rely on it entirely as the tap or fountain might not be working at the picnic site when you get there. Occasionally there are warning signs – often only in Greek – that the water is non-potable (Μη Ποσιμο Νερο/ΜΗ ΠΟΣΙΜΟ ΝΕΡΟ). Always carry enough drinking water for your day.
Always try and check the visiting hours of churches given in this book as they can change from year to year.
In this guide, the spelling of place names in walk descriptions matches the spelling used on the maps in the guide, rather than what might be seen on signposts on the ground (which can vary along the trail). In addition, place names are given in both Greek and Turkish where both are in common use.
Places and features shown on the route maps are marked in bold in route descriptions to aid navigation. The term ‘viewpoint’ is often used to describe a place where you can get great views; this might simply be from a rock rather than a signposted viewpoint. Designated, marked viewpoints are noted as such in the route description.
View of Chrysochou Bay (Walk 5)
SOUTHERN CYPRUS
The arc of a Venetian watermill between Sinti Monastery and Roudia Bridge (Walk 8)
THE WEST AND THE AKAMAS PENINSULA
Coastal view from Moutti tis Sotiras (Walk 1)
The westernmost and least-inhabited part of the island, the Akamas Peninsula, is home to some of the best-known walking trails on Cyprus. Part of the Akamas Peninsula was once used by the British army as a firing range, but today it is a peaceful area for wildlife and for many of Cyprus’ endemic plants. The rugged coastline is washed by turquoise water and it is not difficult to see why Aphrodite and her lover Adonis might have chosen to meet in this part of the island.
The area offers a variety of walks, from the dramatic Avakas Gorge to Paphos Forest where some of the intact medieval (Venetian) bridges can be found, as well as a walk between vineyards near Panagia village. Paphos/Baf is a great base for those who want to explore the trails in the west of the island. From self-catering accommodation to luxury hotels and resorts, tourists are spoiled for choice. For people who are fascinated by ancient history, there are plenty of ruins to discover. Paphos is known for its rich archaeological sites; the Paphos Archaeological Park, near the harbour, is famous for the mosaic floors of its Roman villas. The Tombs of the Kings – where aristocrats were buried in grand tombs carved out of rocks from around 4BC – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When the walking and sightseeing are over, there are plenty of restaurants at Paphos harbour where a range of Cypriot dishes can be enjoyed.
WALK 1
Aphrodite Trail, Akamas Peninsula
| Start/Finish | Bath of Aphrodite (N35.05610, E32.34589) |
| Distance | 7.5km (4½ miles) |
| Ascent/Descent | 500m/500m |
| Grade | 2 |
| Time | 3hr |
| Refreshments | Restaurant and bar at start point |
| Access | Road signs are easy to follow from Paphos and Polis. Regular buses from Polis. Parking available. |
This is one of the most popular and well-known nature trails on the Akamas Peninsula. Coachloads of tourists visit the Bath of Aphrodite, but not all of them follow the goddess’ footsteps all the way along this scenic circular trail. It is a moderately easy walk with gentle but stony uphill sections populated by juniper trees, with a steep descent giving excellent views to the Akamas Peninsula.
During the walk you can learn to recognise some of the plants of Cyprus, as many trees and flowers are labelled. The route is signposted with iron arrows and there are benches at the best viewpoints along the way.
There is a car park and a restaurant just outside of the Botanical Garden. Go through the gate – closing it behind you as the sign requests – and then walk on the paved path which leads to the Bath of Aphrodite.
The Bath of Aphrodite is a small pool of water where a sign confirms that ‘the Goddess of love and beauty used to bathe in the small pool of this natural grotto’. The pool area is usually very busy with people posing in front of the dripping water.
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