2 - days walking on Troodos peaks and in the forest - Kakopetria based - average 11.5 km per day
Walks on Troodos peaks and in the forest
The trip constitutes two days of walks on 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 (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.
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.
The trip constitutes two days of walks on 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 (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.
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)
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.
Day 2 - Walkers are transported to a starting point of the Madari circular trail. At completing the trail, walkers are transported back to Kakopetria.
Day 3 - The taxi takes participants to a starting point on the Artemis trail. Once completing Artemis trail, walkers continue on a stretch of Atalanti trail until Troodos Square, from where they are picked up and transported 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
Day 4 - end of the trip
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.
Day 2 - Walkers are transported to a starting point of the Madari circular trail. At completing the trail, walkers are transported back to Kakopetria.
Day 3 - The taxi takes participants to a starting point on the Artemis trail. Once completing Artemis trail, walkers continue on a stretch of Atalanti trail until Troodos Square, from where they are picked up and transported 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
Day 4 - end of the trip
Detailed Itinerary
On Day 3 the participants are transported by car 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. |
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.
On Day 2 the travellers are transported by car (to the start of the trail and subsequently) do the walk 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’). 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). |
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. There is a shorter route on an official walking trail, but the views are not as good.
On Day 4 the trip finishes and the travellers check out of the hotel. |