Walk between Stavros Tou Ayiasmati - Panagia Tou Araka
The walking route combines a visit to two important sites of Cyprus rich cultural heritage, with a tough 7.5 km long linear trail. Stavros Tou Ayiasmati and Panagia Tou Araka are two of the ten painted churches of Troodos that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, and both have important frescos of the first half of the second millenium.
The route passes by almond orchards, vineyards, and forested area mainly with pine trees and the indigenous golden oak. There are steep ascents and descents which make the exercise quite tiring. At various places walkers need to be careful as the narrow trail passes by steep slopes. There are glorious views towards Morphou plain and the western Pentadactylos and Mesaoria plain, up to Kionia peak in the east, the villages of Alona and Platanistasa, the village of Lagoudera in the north (west) and Madari peak.
One may see rock formations known as Tishia tis Madaris (literally “walls of Madari"), as well as Xyliatos manmade lake and further away, Vizakia manmade lake. Rock rose dominates and in March walkers may see orchids in blossom. The last part of the trail traverses the village of Lagoudera before it reaches Panayia tou Araka church.
This walk can easily be combined with one around the beautiful Xyliatos manmade lake nearby.
The route passes by almond orchards, vineyards, and forested area mainly with pine trees and the indigenous golden oak. There are steep ascents and descents which make the exercise quite tiring. At various places walkers need to be careful as the narrow trail passes by steep slopes. There are glorious views towards Morphou plain and the western Pentadactylos and Mesaoria plain, up to Kionia peak in the east, the villages of Alona and Platanistasa, the village of Lagoudera in the north (west) and Madari peak.
One may see rock formations known as Tishia tis Madaris (literally “walls of Madari"), as well as Xyliatos manmade lake and further away, Vizakia manmade lake. Rock rose dominates and in March walkers may see orchids in blossom. The last part of the trail traverses the village of Lagoudera before it reaches Panayia tou Araka church.
This walk can easily be combined with one around the beautiful Xyliatos manmade lake nearby.