It’s hike o’clock! 7 best hiking trails in Cyprus
Hiking trails in Cyprus are a great way to explore more about the island apart from cities and beaches. After all, the best view comes after the climb, and many of these trails include the best views and the worthiest climbs!
You should definitely include at least some of these picturesque nature trails in your Cyprus bucket list! You will be amazed at how actually beautiful this island is!
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1. Artemis trail around Mount Olympus
This trail is the highest above sea level of all trails, circulating mount Olympus just merely 100 meters below the top of the mountain – around 1850 meters above sea level.
In just 8 kilometers (5 miles) in length, it offers you some of the most magical views over the island! There are a couple of benches along the way so you can relax, take in the view and have a short picnic.
With just 100 vertical meters, the trail is practically flat and easy to hike. Bear in mind that it is much cooler up in the mountains than it is down at the beach, so check the temperature before the hike!
Trail start location: OPEN MAP!
Parking: OPEN MAP!
2. Atalanti Nature trail around mount Olympus
With a starting point in Troodos village, this 13.5-kilometer (8.4-mile) trail is a sister trail to the Artemis trail, as it also goes around mount Olympus. The difference is that the Atalanti nature trail is located 100 meters lower – at about 1750 meters above sea level – and is almost twice as long as the Artemis trail.
With about 180 vertical meters to climb, it will take about 3 hours to finish, but it is definitely worth it! Nice views and a day well spent! Winter and spring months will give you no guarantee about the weather in the mountains – there can be snow and bad weather very often.
Trail start location: OPEN MAP!
Parking: OPEN MAP!
3. Madari Circular trail overlooking the mountaintops
This is a must-do nature trail in Cyprus trail if you can dedicate at least half a day to mountains and stunning views! This 13-kilometer (8-mile) trail with 700 vertical meters takes you through forests, over rivers, and next to mountaintops.
You will get some of the most amazing views in the Troodos mountains, including the overlook of the North of Cyprus and the Kyrenia mountain range. The highlight of the trail is the Madari Fire Station with stunning views and nice picnic spots.
It is just 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the start and, if you are not up for the whole trail, this is the point where you can turn around and hike back to your car. You won’t miss anything too special if you do so!
Trail start location: OPEN MAP!
Parking: there’s plenty of space to park a car on the other side of the road at the starting point!
4. Avakas Gorge Trail – adventurer’s paradise
Walking Avakas Gorge Trail, following a riverbed, was one of the most awe-inspiring adventures in Cyprus! If not THE most impressive one! The first 2 kilometers are the most picturesque when the gorge is very narrow.
This is where you want to take the pictures. If pictures and a glimpse of the trail are what you came for, you can then turn around and go back, because the rest of the trail will be crossing the stream numerous times, climbing big boulders, and following muddy paths next to the river.
After 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) the trail leads uphill out of the riverbed and onto country roads. What is left is tracking back to your car the same distance. Trail difficulty is moderate, and it took us 3 and a half hours to finish the whole loop. But it is an adventure for sure, which I will never forget.
Trail start location: OPEN MAP!
Parking: there is parking at the start of the trail; in case you don’t want to drive the steep dirt road downhill, you can leave your car uphill or at the beach parking: OPEN MAP!
5. Cape Aspro trail with impressive beachside cliffs
This beachside trail will leave you breathless – literally and figuratively. There are many trail routes in the Pissouri coastline area, but I would definitely take the route from Pissouri Beach.
There is a narrow path that goes along the cliffside to Cape Aspro and then uphill the cliff. This is the ‘literally breathless’ part because cliffs go from sea level to 230 meters very quickly!
After the climb you will get the reward – the cliffs are more than impressive! Rugged and bright, standing like giants next to the deep blue sea. This is a perfect spot to have a picnic or to watch the sunset.
You can follow the trail as far as you like along the coast and then track back the same way. For us, those were 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) that we enjoyed every second of, making this one of my favorite nature trails in Cyprus!
Trail start location: OPEN MAP!
Parking: you can park right at the start of the trail – there is an unpaved area
6. Aphrodite Nature trail – see the West end of the island
Aphrodite Natural Trail is pretty much the best way to explore the Westernmost part of Cyprus, the Akamas peninsula, and see the natural treasures it hides.
This 7.5-kilometer (4.6-mile) trail will take you from Aphrodite’s Baths straight uphill to Moutti tis Sotiras peak. Although the climb to the 300-meter peak is pretty tiresome, it is so worth it!
Standing at the top of the peak is breathtaking! You can easily overview the whole peninsula many kilometers away – till the most Westernmost point of Cyprus – as well as see the Troodos mountains behind.
It is a perfect place to have a picnic with unforgettable views – a green peninsula and a blue sea surrounding it. After that, the trail heads straight down the slope to the coast and continues along the coastline back to the car parking. I would definitely recommend this trail if you happen to be in the area!
Trail start location: OPEN MAP!
Parking: OPEN MAP!
7. Cape Greco trail to see the East end of Cyprus
Gape Greco is de facto the Easternmost point of the Republic of Cyprus and offers some amazing experiences like exploring sea caves, and natural arches, hiking as well as watching sunsets.
Although this is not an official trail, I definitely recommend it, as it is quite short (just 4.2 kilometers / 2.6 miles). The trail starts at the sea caves of Cape Greco and goes along the coastline towards the 100-meter cliff and then upward the cliff.
From the Gape Greco cliff, you have the best view over the Gape Greco peninsula, sea caves, and, in case you happen to be here closer to sunset, a golden Sun sinking in the Mediterranean Sea.
There are a couple of benches on the cliff to enjoy the view before heading back the same route. It can’t get much better than that.
Trail start location: OPEN MAP!
Parking: you can park down at the beach if you don’t mind unpaved roads or you can leave your car along the road before that
More Cyprus travel inspiration!
Happy exploring!
In my opinion, hiking nature trails in Cyprus is the best way to explore the island! In my adventurer’s opinion, there isn’t that much to city life in Cyprus and the adventures start outside cities. Also, it is a whole new experience to see something from above.
It kind of gives you a new perspective on things and places. Some of these trails could be rather dangerous if attempted during heavier rainfalls, but who wants to hike in the shower? After all, Cyprus has 300-340 sunny days a year, so wait for the sun and jump into the adventures of hiking!
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