Cyprus Walks - self-guided - Larnaca & Troodos - (includes Kakopetria accommodation)
Average length 10 km per day - with longer options for each day
This is a weeklong, two bases self-guided walking trip that offers many of the best walking experiences on the beautiful island of Cyprus. The average walking distance per day is abt 10 kilometers. In the same package, for every day there are longer walk alternatives. The trip focuses on Troodos trails and the south east part of Cyprus. It is especially suitable for those who want to use Larnaca airport and the town of Larnaca as a base. We recommend this program for all year round. In summer we suggest to complete the walks in the morning, when it is cooler. For winter there are alternatives in case of snow cover at the top of Troodos.
Below one can see most the standard walks in the program.
Day of Trip | Distance in km | Total ascent (m) | Total descent (m) | Average elevation (m) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day 2 | 8.5 | 150 | 200 | 50 | Around the tiny Cape Greko park. |
Day 3 | 8.5 | 200 | 200 | 50 | A wild limestone coastline between Larnaca and Ayia Napa. Coastal cliffs, surreal rusted tanks, a medieval conical watchtower from built when Cyprus was part of the Republic of Venice and a Greek Orthodox chapel. The route is highly recommended, but one can walk there only when there are no British military exercises. |
Day 4 | 11.5 | 400 | 500 | 1,800 | Unique geology and usually excellent vistas on the top of Cyprus |
Day 5 | 12 | 850 | 850 | 1,300 | Peculiar rock formations and vistas |
Day 6 | 10 | 250 | 800 | 1,600 | Descending from Troodos Square via Persephone trail and Caledonia Waterfall trail to Psilon Dendron locality. A combination of different habitats, |
Average | 10 | 350 | 500 | 950 | Combo of high peak and coastal walks |
Day 3 backup | 7 | 500 | 500 | 400 | A rather steep circular walk centered around Stavrovouni peak. |
Day 4 backup | 13 | 600 | 550 | 400 | Views towards Mesaoria Valley & Morphou bay. Asinou Unesco World Heritage Painted church is a big attraction |
Longer Walks
Please remember that the nature of the package allows route selection on each day, in order to cater for different traveller preferences per day (12 -15 km for Day 2, 14 - 21 km for Day 4, 13 - 19 km for Day 5, 18 km for Day 6) .
The itinerary (summary) - please remember that we have other options for shorter or even different routes in the package
Day 1 Arrival to Larnaca (overnight in Larnaca)
Day 2 - Taxi to Cape Greko - Walk linearly or circularly in Cape Greko - Public bus to hotel in Larnaca (overnight in Larnaca)
Day 3 - If there are no British military exercises (we can only know from the schedule that is published biweekly), taxi to a chapel close to Xylofagou coast. Do the circular walk around the Red Cliffs - taxi back to the hotel in Larnaca (overnight in Larnaca) - the backup is a walk around Stavrovouni peak (with the relevant taxi rides)
Day 4 - Taxi transports luggage to the hotel in Kakopetria and the travellers to start and from end of walk - Walk on a combo of Artemis and Atalanti (overnight in Kakopetria) - backup walk around Asinou church if snowcover at Mount Olympus
Day 5 - Taxi to start and from end of walk - Walk the Madari circular trail (overnight in Kakopetria)
Day 6 Taxi to Troodos square - walk via Persephone and Caledonia Waterfalls trails - taxi back (overnight in Kakopetria)
Day 7 - free day - a number of possibilities (even going by public bus to Nicosia to explore the divided Walled City)
Day 8 - Finish
Detailed Itinerary
On Day 1, walkers are transferred by taxi from the (Larnaca or Paphos) airport to the old part of Kakopetria village where they stay for three nights. Depending on the time of arrival visitors could relax and explore the Larnaca town, a laidback town with 60,000 inhabitants and cultural attractions like the medieval St. Lazarus church, Larnaca Fort, and the old quarter. Other options include going to the beach or to the salt lake (which hosts flamingos from autumn to spring every year).
On Day 2 travellers do an easy walk inside the tiny (four square kilometers) national park of Cape Greko. Cape Greko park is located between the bustling beach resorts of Ayia Napa and Protaras. The limestone coastline has a number of caves and rock formations (eg Cape Greko Sea Caves, Kamara tou Koraka, Cyclop's cave and more).
The walk connects Konnos beach at the northern tip of Cape Greko park with Cape Greko Sea Caves, in the south west border of the walk. The itinerary (a stretch of it is on Aphrodite trail) goes by all the major attractions in the area including the Agioi Anargyroi chapel (and adjacent cave). At some point it ascends the Cape Greko rock, a place with magnificent panoramic views of the coast. Cape Greko park is a good destination also for birdwatchers, especially during spring migration. The waters are usually very calm on the east side.
On Day 4 travellers do a combination of top elevation Cyprus walks (usually the Artemis trail and a part of Atalant) (please check the short videoclip).
Walking on Artemis trail under clear skies 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 standard walk includes also a part of the Atalanti trail that ends at Troodos Square.
On Day 6 walkers descend on foot from Troodos Square to Psilon Dendron locality via Persephone and of Caledonia Waterfalls trail. They walk first on Persephone trail, with views at some stretch towards a 'hidden' manmade lake and later do Caledonia Waterfalls trail. The route combines flat stretches inside the black pine forest, parts on the slope with excellent vistas all the way to the coast and a steep downhill trail that criss crosses the stream a few times and introduces a different habitat dominated by plane trees and alter trees.
On Day 3, provided no exercises by British soldiers take place, we recommend for travellers a walk around the Red Cliffs on the coast near Xylofagou village. We will inform the walkers if this is an option, once we see the exercise schedule, which is published biweekly. It would be possible to change the sequence of Day 2 and Day 3 walks. The route has different elements of Cyprus nature and history. It starts from a Greek Orthodox chapel, next to fields and continues to the coast. The coastal area is dotted (in a few places) by either British military watchtowers or rusting tanks (for target practicing). Soon the coast rises until one reaches the Red Cliffs, a location that it is atypically red, even though it is composed of limestone. Being limestone the coast experiences erosion. There are a number of caves, which are not easy to reach. A bit more than 500 meters north east of the Red Cliffs a Venetian era watchtower is found, adding yet another element to the walk. One goes to the watchtower and back on the dirt road completely offroad, on relatively easy to walk rock with sparse vegetation.
On Day 5, we propose a walk on Madari mountain peak. The walk is on a circular nature trail that offers a combination of habitats (including a Cyprus Cedar forest), excellent panoramic views, and the very extraordinary rock formations in the area (appropriately named ‘Teishia tis Madaris’, meaning ‘Madari’s walls’).
Those looking for a longer walk can combine it with an adjacent circular walk (3 km / 2 mi long), or walk to and from the nearby Panagia tou Araka Unesco World Heritage Painted church (which would add about six more km to the distance). We offer also alternative walks (8 or 9 km long) descending from close to Troodos square to Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church, (and from there a few km on paved road to Kakopetria).
Day 7 of the trip is considered as a free day and travellers are encouraged to explore as well as relax. There are two Unesco World Heritage painted churches within walking distance of Kakopetria, (more medieval churches) a number of watermills, a small old olive press (museum) and a grape press. The old part of Kakopetria village is very pretty. There are other picturesque villages in the wider area (eg the village of Kalopanayiotis), and more Unesco World Heritage painted churches. There are wineries in the village of Kyperounda and Kalopanayiotis. Another option is a visit (by relatively frequent) public bus to Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, in order to explore the divided walled medieval city. If people would prefer to do more walking, we can provide information on a circular walking route around Kakopetria village.
On Day 8 morning, the package ends. If travellers want we can book additional nights, etc, otherwise we arrange a taxi for them.
Summary of our services
We offer Independent Self–Guided Walkers interested in exploring beautiful Cyprus, a menu of services:
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Information on our inhouse designed route that presents much of the best Cyprus has to offer, combining top elements of its cultural and natural heritage. We provide information on each day's walk and instructions to find one's way, as well as relevant useful information material on Cyprus. We provide GPS data as the basic navigation tool (usually on the travellers' mobile phone. We also provide information of the route on Google Earth imagery.
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Booking of appropriate accommodation on the route, where possible in small, family run establishments.
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Booking of meals, including breakfast, dinner (as per the package) and optionally lunch packs , with a high element of local cuisine, where available.
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Arranging all applicable luggage transport.
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Arranging transfers to location of arrival/departure and other transfers if required.
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On the ground support for the independent walker.
The package
It includes the following:
a) Information on the walking routes and nearby attractions (as well as public bus info where applicable), in the form of GPS readings, electronic material (PDF), printed material (at an additional fee) and/or other media.
b) Transportation
1) For Day 1 transport from Larnaca airport
2) For Day 2, from Larnaca to Cape Greco (return on frequent public bus).
3) For Day 3 from Larnaca to a chapel close to Xylofagou coast. Pick up later from the same point and return to Larnaca by taxi (if British army exercises - to be advised before the trip, instead, taxi to and from a location close to Stavrovouni peak.
4) For Day 4 luggage transport to Kakopetria hotel. People transport to start of Artemis walk (North Face Ski Slope cafe). Transfer from the same point back to Kakopetria in the afternoon.
5) For Day 5, transportation from Kakopetria to Moutti tis Choras locality on Madari Circular trail. In the afternoon taxi transport from the same point back to the hotel in Kakopetria
6) For Day 6, transportation to Troodos Square. Later transport from Psilon Dendron locality to Kakopetria hotel.
7) For Day 8 transport to Larnaca airport
c) Accommodation as follows:
1) First three nights accommodation in a Larnaca hotel
2) Then four nights in Kakopetria (at Mill hotel) - if no availability at the Mill hotel, we can suggest other packages that we offer, with Troodos accommodation in other villages
d) Breakfast for all accommodation
e) Luggage transfer as required
f) On the ground support
Notes :
1) We have agreements with more hotels in the rare case that the rooms in the above organisations are occupied. In this event walkers will have the option to accept alternative accommodation, reschedule or cancel the booking.
2) While we are happy to discuss with explorers, we would be able to sell the programs only after our Tour Operator office is set up, which is expected to take place in early May 2025.
Prices for 2025
We offer the package throughout the year, but we do not recommend walking during summer (unless one does the short versions and it is managed well - eg start at 7:00).
The price for the standard package using SunHall Hotel in Larnaca, when
a) two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 830 Euro per person.
b) two walkers travel together on a Single Room, bed and breakfast basis is 960 Euro per person.
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,265 Euro per person.
The price for the standard package using Kanarium hotel in Larnaca, when
a) two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 875 Euro per person.
b) two walkers travel together on a Single Room, bed and breakfast basis is 1,005 Euro per person.
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,360 Euro per person.
There are surcharges during specific periods (Easter, Christmas, July and August).
INQUIRIES
Please contact us via phone (or whatsapp or viber) at +35799458366, or email at phivos@cypruswalksetc.com with your questions.
BOOKING PROCESS
One 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 a non refundable one hundred Euro deposit within a couple of days. If the payment is not made within a couple of days, the booking is cancelled. The balance must be paid at least more than a month before the start of the trip. If the payment is not made on time, the booking is cancelled (the deposit is not refunded). You will be in due course receive relevant information with regards to the payment and the trip.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If Customers cancel:
Cancellation charges for a booked trip:
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Until Day 31 prior to travel date: 100 Euro per booking
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Day 30 to Day 16 prior to travel date : 25%
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Day 15 to Day 3 prior to travel date: 50%
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Day 2 prior to Day 1 prior to travel date: 80%
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Day 0 of the trip onward: 100%
If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels
If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels, in the unlikely case that we find no accommodation, or for other reason outside our control, 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 a shorter version of the trip (eg, a 4-day walk instead of the weeklong walk) or they may extend their trip staying at any of the accommodation options on our route for more than one day.