Cyprus Walks - self-guided - three accommodations - average 11.5 km per day
This is a weeklong, three accommodations walking route that offers many of the best walking experiences on the beautiful island of Cyprus. The average walking distance per day is abt 11.5 kilometers. The trip focuses on Troodos trails, on the Akamas peninsula and on the Laona Plateau. It is suitable for those interested in shorter walks (we offer other programs with longer walks). 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. Please remember that the nature of the package allows route selection on many days, in order to cater for different traveller preferences per day.
Day of Trip |
Distance in km |
Total ascent (m) |
Total descent (m) |
Average elevation (m) |
Description |
Day 2 |
11.5 |
400 |
500 |
1,800 |
Unique geology and usually excellent vistas on the top of Cyprus |
Day 3 |
12 |
850 |
850 |
1,300 |
Peculiar rock formations and vistas |
Day 4 |
10 |
600 |
300 |
450 |
Mix of cultural and natural attractions |
Day 5 |
10 |
400 |
400 |
50 |
Meandering boulders and enjoying excellet vistas |
Day 6 |
13.5 |
600 |
600 |
150 |
Beautiful vistas around Akamas north coast |
Average |
11.5 |
550 |
500 |
850 |
Combo of high peak and coastal walks |
Day 2 backup |
13 |
600 |
550 |
400 |
Views towards Mesaoria Valley & Morphou bay. Asinou Unesco World Heritage Painted church is a big attraction |
The itinerary (summary) - please remember that we have other options for shorter or even different routes in the package
Day 1 - Arrival to Kakopetria village (overnight in Kakopetria)
Day 2 - Taxi to start and from end of walk - Walk on a combo of Artemis and Atalanti (overnight in Kakopetria)
Day 3 - Taxi to start and from end of walk - Walk the Madari circular trail (overnight in Kakopetria)
Day 4 - Taxi to Kato Akourdaleia village - Walk (ascend) to Droushia village via Agia Paraskevi chapel (overnight in Droushia village)
Day 5 - Do the circular walk towards Androlikou village (overnight in Droushia village)
Day 6 - Taxi to Baths of Aphrodite - Combo of Adonis and Aphrodite trail (overnight near Akamas north coast)
Day 7 - Free day ( a number of possible round trips) (overnight near Akamas north coast)
Day 8 - Finish
Day 1 - Arrival to Kakopetria village (overnight in Kakopetria)
Day 2 - Taxi to start and from end of walk - Walk on a combo of Artemis and Atalanti (overnight in Kakopetria)
Day 3 - Taxi to start and from end of walk - Walk the Madari circular trail (overnight in Kakopetria)
Day 4 - Taxi to Kato Akourdaleia village - Walk (ascend) to Droushia village via Agia Paraskevi chapel (overnight in Droushia village)
Day 5 - Do the circular walk towards Androlikou village (overnight in Droushia village)
Day 6 - Taxi to Baths of Aphrodite - Combo of Adonis and Aphrodite trail (overnight near Akamas north coast)
Day 7 - Free day ( a number of possible round trips) (overnight near Akamas north coast)
Day 8 - Finish
Detailed Itinerary
On Day 1, those travellers that book the transfer from the airport, are transported 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 old part of the village and/or visit upto two Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted churches within walking distance from their accommodation.
On Day 1, those travellers that book the transfer from the airport, are transported 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 old part of the village and/or visit upto two Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted churches within walking distance from their accommodation.
In Day 2 travellers do a combination of top elevation Cyprus walks (usually most of Artemis trail and a part of Atalanti, or alternatively of Persephone, and of Caledonia Waterfalls trail - at an added taxi fee) (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 standard walk includes also a part of the Atalanti trail that ends at Troodos Square. |
On Day 4 walkers are transported to the small stone-built village of Kato Akourdalia from where they follow a route that takes you past the tiny medieval stone-built chapel of Agia Paraskevi, the Waterfall of Kremmiotis as well as the stone-built village of Kritou Terra. The walk ends at the top of the Laona Plateau, at the village of Droushia, where the travellers spend the night.
On Day 6 walkers walk a combination of Adonis circular trail, Aphrodite circular trail and a stretch of the coastal dirt road towards the north west cape of Cyprus (usually upto the fjord-like cove of Koufotrypis). After the main ascent on the east stretch of Adonis trail walkers pass by the ruins of a medieval monastery and a huge old oak tree. The route ascends onto the imposing Moutti Tis Sotiras peak, from where walkers enjoy glorious views of the north west, and of the north coast, all the way to Pomos village towards the north east. |
On Day 3, we propose a walk on Madari mountain peak (short videoclip here). The walk is on the 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’). On Day 5 the travellers walk towards the north of Droushia village, in the direction of the aboandoned Turkish Cypriot village of Androlykou. The route is characterised by many big boulders scattered all around and by beautiful vistas of Chrysochous Bay and of the ridge and east slope of the Akamas peninsula. Travellers walk mostly on cement rural roads, instead of more natural (yet considerably more muddy) dirt roads. Day 7 of the trip is considered as a free day, and travellers are encouraged to explore as well as relax. Paphos ancient city (in fact Palaipaphos, Nea Paphos and Aphrodite's Rock) comprise a Unesco World Heritage site) are well worth a visit. Just relaxing at one of the nearby beaches, swimming, snorkelling (hopefully spotting one of the thousands of sea turtles that visit the sea of Cyprus during the hote season to feed (and possibly to reproduce), doing a guided kayaking trip with us (usually upto about ten kilometers, going to the cove know as Blue Lagoon and returning to Aphrodite's Baths) or going on a cruise along Akamas north coast (from and to Latchi port) are also recommended. |
On Day 8 morning, the package finishes. If travellers want, we can arrange a taxi for them, book additional nights, etc