Two days of trail running (or long walks) on Troodos peaks and in the forest
The trip constitutes a two-day exploration of the top of Cyprus. One route is near the top of Olympus peak (elevation 1,950 m going down south to Kakopetria) while the other is near Madari peak (elevation 1,600 m) going down to Kakopetria. Besides the huge value of the top of Troodos for geologists, the routes offers 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 can be extended to include other walks (eg a combination of Caledonia Waterfall trail, Persephone trail and Atalanti trail) adding even more variety to the travellers experiences. Another option for a trail run would be a circular route from Agios Theodoros Soleas village to Unesco World Heritage Panagia Asinou church that in the end finishes at the village of Evrychou (suggested when Olympus may be snow covered, which could happen usually between January and March).
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. The 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 walls is very peculiar, with large boulders being incorporated in the walls of houses. Great place to explore, or relax at a coffee place overlooking the stream.
The trip constitutes a two-day exploration of the top of Cyprus. One route is near the top of Olympus peak (elevation 1,950 m going down south to Kakopetria) while the other is near Madari peak (elevation 1,600 m) going down to Kakopetria. Besides the huge value of the top of Troodos for geologists, the routes offers 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 can be extended to include other walks (eg a combination of Caledonia Waterfall trail, Persephone trail and Atalanti trail) adding even more variety to the travellers experiences. Another option for a trail run would be a circular route from Agios Theodoros Soleas village to Unesco World Heritage Panagia Asinou church that in the end finishes at the village of Evrychou (suggested when Olympus may be snow covered, which could happen usually between January and March).
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. The 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 walls is very peculiar, with large boulders being incorporated in the walls of houses. Great place to explore, or relax at a coffee place overlooking the stream.
Rich Cultural heritage
The main trails in the two routes are considered to be among the best on the island of Cyprus with particularly high geological value and great vistas. Kakopetria village, the base for the trip, is one of the largest mountain villages in Cyprus and has developed tourism infrastructure, with a good number of hotels and eateries, to cater for 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 Greek Orthodox 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 - Artemis trail to Kakopetria |
21.5 |
800 |
1,950 |
1,450 |
Day 3 - (most of) Madari circular trail to Kakopetria |
24 |
1,200 |
1,750 |
1,150 |
Average |
23 |
1,000 |
1,850 |
1,300 |
Backup for Day 2 (in case of snow cover) - Agios Theodoros Soleas village - Panagia tis Asinou chapel - Evrychou |
21.5 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
650 |
The itinerary (summary)
Day 1 - Arrive at Kakopetria village - explore the old quarter, walk on the trail next to the stream, hang out and relax
Day 2 - The taxi takes participants to a starting point on the Artemis trail. Once completing Artemis trail, walkers continue on a dirt road route down to Kakopetria village. Naturally those who want can do the route uphill instead. If there is snow cover (please ask your hotel) travellers can do the alternative route Agios Theodoros Soleas - Panagia tis Asinou chapel - Agios Theodoros - Evrychou.
Day 3 - Walkers are transported to a starting point of the Madari circular trail. At completing the trail, walkers continue their run on dirt roads back to Kakopetria. Again, those who prefer can do the route uphill.
Day 4 - morning - end of the trip
Day 1 - Arrive at Kakopetria village - explore the old quarter, walk on the trail next to the stream, hang out and relax
Day 2 - The taxi takes participants to a starting point on the Artemis trail. Once completing Artemis trail, walkers continue on a dirt road route down to Kakopetria village. Naturally those who want can do the route uphill instead. If there is snow cover (please ask your hotel) travellers can do the alternative route Agios Theodoros Soleas - Panagia tis Asinou chapel - Agios Theodoros - Evrychou.
Day 3 - Walkers are transported to a starting point of the Madari circular trail. At completing the trail, walkers continue their run on dirt roads back to Kakopetria. Again, those who prefer can do the route uphill.
Day 4 - morning - end of the trip
Detailed Itinerary
On Day 1, those travellers who book the transfer, from the airport are transported to their hotel in Kakopetria. Time to relax at the hotel or explore the village.
On Day 1, those travellers who book the transfer, from the airport are transported to their hotel in Kakopetria. Time to relax at the hotel or explore the village.
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On Day 2 the participants are transported by car to a starting point on the Artemis trail. They do the whole of Artemis trail before descending on dirt roads (and on paved roads a bit at the end) to Kakopetria village (the short videoclip includes also Artemis trail).
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). Travellers pass by some very old and huge trees. The route has a very high value also for those interested in geology. The initial part of the route (Artemis trail) is flat and easy. At the same time care is needed as may stretches are along steep slopes. The second part of the route is mostly along dirt roads in the forest descending back to Kakopetria village. The route offers views of forested peaks as well as of distant villages and also Morphou bay. It passes close to 11th century Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church. It should be noted that when there is snow, (usually a few months each year) we advise against doing this route. There is a lower elevation alternative around Unesco World Heritage painted Panagia tis Asinou chapel that we suggest (included in the package). |
Walking on Artemis trail
Vista from the descent to Kakopetria
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Madari circular trail - Madari peak in the background
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On Day 3, the run (or long walk) is on Madari mountain peak (short videoclip here). 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’). The route goes on dirt roads north of Spilia village and then remains east of the Kakopetria-Troodos road until reaching close to Sina Oros village for the final descent to Kakopetria.
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In the case (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 (and also includes a stretch on an official walking trail). After returning to Agios Theodoros the route continues to the big village of Evrychou, a place with a number of attractions (including a watermill, a train museum and more).
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Panagia tis Asinou Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church
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