2 - days walking on Troodos peaks and in the forest - Kakopetria based - average 11.5 km per day 

Walkers along Artemis trail

Walks on Troodos peaks and in the forest
The trip constitutes two days of walks of the top of Cyprus. One route is near the top of Olympus peak (elevation 1,950 m) while the other is near Madari peak (elevation 1,600 m). Besides the huge value of the top of Troodos for geologists, the routes offer glorious views as far as the sea of Limassol, Akamas and the bay of Morphou (as well as places like Vouni Panagias peak, Paphos Forest and Kykkos monastery, Mesaoria plain, Pentadactylos mountains and even Taurus mountains on a very clear day).  The trip has a longer walks version (nearly same price and mainly same logistics).  A  walk from Agios Theodoros Soleas village to Unesco World Heritage Painted Panagia Asinou church would play the role of a backup when Olympus may be snow covered, which could happen usually between January and March.

It should be noted that the trip is customisable. For example a longer version of the same walks can be offered (probably at a slightly higher price) or different walks can be added, the accommodation can be changed, etc.

Natural Beauty, cultural heritage
The trip takes participants through a combination of top natural attractions and cultural attractions in Cyprus. The two trails are some of the best in many respects in Cyprus. Old Kakopetria is one of the most picturesque village quarters on the island, while Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis chapel is one of the best of the ten Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted churches.

Kakopetria
​Travellers will be staying in the village of Kakopetria, whose old quarter is one of the most scenic in Cyprus (it is possible to stay instead at a different base, eg Troodos, Pano Platres village or Kalopanagiotis , total price would likely differ, please let us know if of interest). The old quarter is a delight with almost no cars in its alleys, and provides a perfect labyrinth to lose oneself in. The stone work on the house walls is very peculiar, with large boulders being incorporated in the walls. Great place to explore, or relax at a coffee place overlooking the stream.

 
​Rich Cultural heritage
Kakopetria village, the base for the trip, is one of the largest mountain villages in Cyprus and has well developed tourism infrastructure, with a good number of hotels and eateries, to cater to different tastes. The old quarter of the village, presents one of the best preserved on the island, and has a character that can be hardly found in other Cyprus villages. In the old church's yard there is a small olive museum with an olive press (and relevant equipment).  There is also an old grape press, but may or may not be open to the public. At (or rather just next to) the old quarter, there is a watermill as well as a medieval bridge. Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis, two km from the old quarter of Kakopetria, is a beautiful Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church dating from the 11th century, covered in frescoes from different centuries, a must see cultural attraction in one's trip.  

Other cultural attractions on (or near) the itinerary include :
1) Two watermills in Galata village
2) Panagia Podithou Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church in Galata village
3) Panagia tis Asinou Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church (if travellers do the back-up walk instead of doing the Artemis trail)

Day of Trip

​Distance in km

​Total ascent (m)

​Total descent (m)

Average elevation (m)

Day 2 - Madari circular trail

12

850

850

1,300

Day 3 -  Artemis trail to Troodos Square

11.5

400

500

1,800

Average

11.5

650

700

1,550

Backup for Day 3 (in case of snow cover) - Agios Theodoros Soleas village to Panagia tis Asinou chapel 

13

600

550

400

The itinerary (summary)

It should be noted that this package has no transportation. We can offer travellers free transportation in our company's car, that holds private insurance. If requested we can arrange taxi for the travellers for the relevant fee.

Day 1 - Arrive at Kakopetria village - explore the old quarter of the village, walk on the trail next to the stream, hang out and relax - Overnight in Kakopetria village 
Day 2 - Free ride for the walkers to the starting point of the Madari circular trail. At completing the trail, free ride for the walkers back to Kakopetria - Overnight in Kakopetria village 
Day 3 - Free ride for the walkers to the starting point on the Artemis trail. Once completing Artemis trail, walkers continue on a stretch of Atalanti trail until Troodos Square.  Free ride for the walkers from the end of the walk back to Kakopetria. If there is snow cover (please ask your hotel) travellers can do the alternative route Agios Theodoros Soleas - Panagia tis Asinou chapel - end of the trip

Detailed Itinerary
 

Madari circular trail - Madari peak in the background

​On Day 3 the participants are offered a free ride to a starting point on the Artemis trail. They do a combination of top elevation Cyprus walks (Artemis trail and a part of Atalanti,  (please check the short videoclip).

Walking on Artemis offers superb panoramic views of different parts of Cyprus.  The trail combines barren rocky land with forested stretches of black pine (and of the endemic Troodos juniper).  Walkers pass by some very old and huge trees.  

​The walk has a very high value also for those interested in geology. It should be noted that when there is snow, (usually a few months each year) we advise against doing this walk.  There is a lower elevation alternative around Unesco World Heritage painted Asinou chapel that we suggest (included in the package). 

The walk is flat and easy. At the same time care is needed as many stretches are along steep slopes.

​The standard walk includes also a part of the Atalanti trail that ends at Troodos Square. From the end a free ride is offered back to the hotel.

On Day 1 the travellers arrive at Kakopetria village and check in at the hotel. They may have time to explore Kakopetria and the vicinity.

The Day 2 walk is on Madari mountain peak (short videoclip here).  The travellers are offered a free ride to the start of the trail. The circular nature trail offers a combination of habitats (including a Cyprus Cedar forest), excellent panoramic views (especially towards Mesaoria plain in the north and the Pentadactylos mountains), and the very extraordinary rock formations in the area (appropriately named ‘Teishia tis Madaris’ meaning ‘Madari’s walls’).  This trail, unlike Artemis (the main stretch of the next day walk), has significant ascents and descents. The standard route covers the whole circular route (at least an addition in the form of an ascent to the watchtower is highly recommended). At the end, a free ride back to the hotel is offered.

Walking on Artemis trail

Artemis trail is flat, yet caution is needed

In the case (usually between January and March) that there is snow cover on the Artemis trail (your hotel should know) we offer an alternative walking route at significantly lower elevation. The route combines nature, especially views towards Mesaoria plain and Pentadactylos mountains with the island's cultural heritage in the form of 11th century Panagia tis Asinou chapel, in many respects one of the absolutely best of the ten Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted churches. The recommended route is mainly on dirt roads. There is a shorter route on an official walking trail, but the views are not as good. The trip ends at the end of Day 3.

Panagia tis Asinou Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church

Summary of our services
We offer Walkers interested in exploring beautiful Cyprus, a menu of services:

• Information on our inhouse designed route that presents the best Cyprus has to offer, combining top elements of its cultural and natural heritage. We provide information in the form of GPS data as well as some info in the form of an electronic pdf file.

• Booking of appropriate accommodation on the route, where possible in small, family run establishments.

• Booking of meals, including breakfast, dinner (as per the package) and optionally lunch packs , with a high element of local cuisine, where available.

• Arranging all applicable luggage transport.

• Arranging transfers to location of arrival/departure and other transfers if required.

• On the ground support for the independent walker.

The package
It includes the following:
a) Guiding the walk on two days
b) Information on the walking routes in PDF form
c) Accommodation in Kakopetria at the Mill hotel on a bed and breakfast basis in standard rooms (it may also be possible to arrange the package with accommodation at a different place - eg Troodos Square, Galata village, Kalopanagiotis village, etc, possibly at a different price).
d) Transportation
     The standard package doesnot include transportation. It should be noted that the walks are largely circular and not within walking distance from the accommodation. In relation to the walks we can provide walkers with free rides in our company's car, that holds a usual private insurance (otherwise we can arrange a paid service by a taxi). With regards to transportation to the hotel on arrival day and from the hotel on departure day, we can arrange upon request rides in a private taxi. In some cases, and if the participants are interested, we may be able to offer free rides in our company car (as the walking guide will transfer from and to Nicosia). 
e) On the ground support

Notes : 
1) The package includes neither transport to the accommodation (on Day 1) nor from the accommodation (on Day 4) nor (taxi) transporation with relation to the walks. We can arrange such transportation upon request.
2) In the very unlikely event that all accommodation that we cooperate with in Kakopetria is occupied, walkers will have the option to accept alternative accommodation, reschedule or cancel the booking.  
    
Prices
Rates (per person, on a bed and breakfast basis) for 2024

The prices below are for the standard package and do not include any (taxi) transportation at arrival and departure (at/from) the hotel or in relation to the walks:
  a)  two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy basis is 510 Euro per person 
  b) two walkers travel together on single room basis is 520 Euro per person
c) four walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy basis is 330 Euro per person
d) four walkers travel together (one Double room and two single rooms) is 340 Euro per person  ​

​Naturally prices per person decrease as the number of participants increase.

INQUIRIES
Please contact us via phone (or whatsapp or viber) at +35799458366, or email at phivos@cypruswalksetc.com with your questions.

BOOKING PROCESS
You may book via phone (or whatsapp or viber) at +35799458366, or email at phivos@cypruswalksetc.com. We will then enquire with the hotel(s) and (provided that there is availability) book (and issue an Invoice to you to pay within a couple of days a deposit if you book way in advance, with the balance a month before the start of the trip, or the full amount if you book within a month of the trip). If the payment is not made within a couple of days, the booking is cancelled. You will be in due coarse receive relevant information with regards to the payment and the trip.

​CANCELLATION POLICY
​
If Customers cancel:
Cancellation charges for a booked trip:

• Until Day 31 prior to travel date: No Cancellation Fee

• Day 30 to Day 16 prior to travel date : 20%

• Day 15 to Day 3 prior to travel date: 50%

• Day 2 prior to Day 1 prior to travel date: 80%

• Day 0 of the trip onward: 100%

If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels
If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels for severe expected weather or other reason we provide our customers with full refund for the services paid to us. Where possible we provide alternatives, which customers can select instead of refunds if they prefer.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
We expect that all users of our services will make all necessary arrangements to, and will for the duration of their trip with us, be covered by adequate insurance related to our services (personal accident, medical expenses, etc).

​​Please keep in mind that walkers may buy services from us for other short trips, for combinations of trips, or for longer trips.

This is literally our top Cyprus walk, as it is composed of two trails, one of which (Artemis trail) is the Cyprus trail with the highest elevation (1,800 meters).  Artemis trail is circular and has a length of seven km.  Walkers pass by many pines and junipers.
Walkers may see barren rock at the top, while walking next to cliffs at points. I recommend that one does the trail (also) closer to summer, since because of the high elevation, flowers tend to be in bloom later in the season, compared to the same species in lower elevation.
The linear Caledonia waterfall trail is very different to Artemis.  It runs next to a stream, and naturally the flora and fauna is very different (and richer). With a length of just three kilometers, it is quite steep (one needs to be very careful), and crosses the stream at points. Walkers may hear many songbirds (especially towards summer), though it is rather difficult to spot them.  About midway one finds Caledonia Waterfall, a major natural attraction in the area. The water quantity is not significant, but the setting is nevertheless idyllic.  The trail finishes in Platres village.
The combination of these two trails makes a perfect getaway for those interested to explore Top Cyprus.