The extraordinary rock formations of Akanthou ('Stillarka')

The walk offers a feast to the eye of vistas of densely forested Pentadactylos mountains, a large number of extraordinary steep rock columns as well as views towards the coast and the blue Mediterranean waters. The walk starts at the Greek Cypriot village of Akanthou (now renamed 'Tatlisu', and inhabited by a few Turkish Cypriots and mostly by people from mainland Turkey).  The route is largely circular  (and we usually follow the route anticlockwise). The vegetation is dominated by pines, cypress and strawberry trees. This is one of the shortest presented walks at a length of under eight kilometers.  An elevation difference of more than 400 meters though, combined with a trail that is not wide at many points add to the difficulty of the walk. We recommend expeditions here to include also a stop at a long cave near the Turkish Cypriot village of Platani (Cinarli), another unique experience in Cyprus. Also a visit to one of the medieval churches / monasteries in the area.  A visit to Kantara castle could be combined with this walk, as well as a walk to the natural tunnel in the area.