Self-Guided cycling on electric bicycle - Troodos to Akamas
This is a 200 km route (five days of cycling and a last, free day) across much of Cyprus. The route starts at picturesque Pera Orinis village, just 20 km southwest of Nicosia. It traverses some of the most beautiful scenery on the island mostly on narrow paved roads across Troodos mountain range to beautiful Akamas. The route is easy yet offers possibilities of additions for those preferring longer cycling experiences. The trip is great throughout much of the year (we would generally recommend September to June as it may be more comfortable for many of us for a cycling trip in Cyprus - however, with proper management, ie. cycling early in the morning and late in the afternoon, the trip can be excellent also in summer).
This is a week-long trip, with a free last day in beautiful Akamas for relaxation, walking, swimming and/or exploring on a mountain bike.
This is a week-long trip, with a free last day in beautiful Akamas for relaxation, walking, swimming and/or exploring on a mountain bike.
Day of Trip |
Distance in km |
Total ascent (m) |
Total descent (m) |
Average elevation (m) |
Description |
Day 2 |
36 |
1,800 |
1,250 |
650 |
Pera Orinis - Fikardou - Palaichori |
Day 3 |
35 |
1,550 |
1,800 |
1,050 |
Palaichori - Panagia tou Araka - Kakopetria |
Day 4 |
46 |
1,800 |
1,650 |
1,000 |
Kakopetria - Arsos |
Day 5 |
48 |
1,750 |
1,700 |
650 |
Arsos - Kelephos medieval bridge - Salamiou - Pano Panagia |
Day 6 |
47 |
950 |
1,800 |
350 |
Pano Panagia - Phiti - Lysos - Akamas |
Day 7 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
f |
Free day - (Akamas) exploration/relaxation |
Trip Highlights
- Many of the most beautiful natural attractions and breathtaking views on the island of Cyprus
- Overnights in picturesque villages in various parts of Cyprus (including Pera Orinis, Palaichori, Kakopetria, Arsos, Pano Panagia) with easy access to authentic Cyprus cuisine
- Important cultural attractions on the route, including three Unesco World Heritage churches (three other ones are quite close), monasteries and chapels, medieval bridges
- A free, last day in Akamas, a stunning area of Cyprus, with the possibility for relaxation and swimming or further exploration on foot, by bicycle or in the sea.
- Relatively easy short distances per day, with the possibility to add extra miles for those preferring longer cycling each day.
Equipment
Burley Nomad - Light, sturdy and stable bike cargo trailer with waterproof cover
(to be used if travellers prefer to carry their luggage instead of having it transported - the total fee is lower, it requires more effort )
(to be used if travellers prefer to carry their luggage instead of having it transported - the total fee is lower, it requires more effort )
The itinerary (summary)
- Day 1 - Arrival to Start location of the Route (Pera Orinis)
- Day 2 - Cycle from Pera Orinis village via Fikardou to Palaichori village
- Day 3 - Palaichori to Kakopetria village
- Day 4 - Kakopetria village to Arsos village
- Day 5 - Arsos via Diarizos valley and Xeros valley to Pano Panayia village in Ezousa valley
- Day 6 - Pano Panagia via Evretou Valley and Polis to edge of Akamas
- Day 7 - Free day for relaxation/exploration of Akamas
- Day 8 - Finish
Detailed Itinerary
On Day 1 from Larnaca airport or Paphos airport travelers are transported (with their rented cycling equipment) to the old part of Pera village. Depending on the time of arrival they could relax and explore the old part of the village and/or visit attractions in the area (eg old watermills, Agios Iraklidios monastery, the ruins of Tamassos ancient city-kingdom or even visit the surreal divided walled city of Nicosia.
On Day 1 from Larnaca airport or Paphos airport travelers are transported (with their rented cycling equipment) to the old part of Pera village. Depending on the time of arrival they could relax and explore the old part of the village and/or visit attractions in the area (eg old watermills, Agios Iraklidios monastery, the ruins of Tamassos ancient city-kingdom or even visit the surreal divided walled city of Nicosia.
On Day 2 travellers ascend to Palaichori, one of the larger villages in Troodos. On the way they pass by very picturesque tiny Fikardou village and small Apliki dam. In Palaichori village one can visit the church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, one of the ten Unesco World Heritage Troodos Painted churches. On Day 4 the explorers cross to the south side of Troodos mountains. First they pass by Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church towards Pedoulas village (home to yet another Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church) and then cross the ridge to the south. The route takes them close to Chantara waterfalls and close to Milia medieval bridge and through touristy Omodos village before ending at stone-built Arsos village.
On Day 6 of the route the explorers cycle through yet more stone built villages (eg Phyti, Filousa). They traverse Evretou valley before descending through Polis to their final destination, at the entrance of beautiful Akamas peninsula. On the way they pass very close (200 m) from Skarfos medieval bridge and Evretou abandoned village and the crescent-like manmade lake of the same name.
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On Day 3 travellers cycle along a scenic route in the Pitsilia region offering excellent vistas from the north side of Troodos mountains, towards Mesaoria plain, Morphou bay and even Pentadactylos mountain range. The route passes through a collection of orchards and forest stretches and through a number of pretty mountain villages and by Unesco World Heritage Panagia tou Araka church. It finishes in the well preserved stone-built old part of Kakopetria village. Panagia tis Podithou Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church north of Galata village is just a couple of km away. On Day 5 of the trip the travelers cross the valley of Diarizos and the valley of Xeros Potamos before ascending towards Pano Panagia village, high on the east slope of Ezousa valley. On the way they pass through many sleepy stone-built villages, monasteries and small medieval chapels. Panagia tou Sinti monastery (whose renovation won a Europa Nostra prize) is just a couple of km south of the route (on a not so good dirt road). There's the option to do a variant route that passes by Kelephos medieval bridge and through Paphos Forest and adds the possibility of mouflon spotting - this variant is 48 km long and has a larger total ascent and descen
Day 7 is a free last day of this excellent trip. The travellers have the opportunity to relax and enjoy beautiful Akamas. Options include swimming, exploring on foot, mountain biking or even exploring the coastal waters of what is considered by many as the most stunning corner of beautiful Cyprus.
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