Troodos Walks (four nights)

This trip regards three days of walking at the top of Cyprus at elevation that makes walking also during summer comfortable.  There is an excellent collection and variety of routes that travelers can choose from and it is possible to add at least another day of walking in the package.  Below one can see the proposed walks in detail.  It should be noted that it is possible to do combination walks that extend the routes from the average 10-km, using the same overnight locations.  We can provide walkers that prefer to, info on combination longer walks as well as on shorter ones.  The package is customisable (can be shortened or extended) and may be very attractive for those summer visitors who like to mix their stay at some of Cyprus stunning beaches, with easy walking at unique Troodos mountains.

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Walk Option	​Distance in km/mi	​Total ascent m/f	​Total descent m/f	Average elevation m/f	Description
1	12/7.5	800/2,600	800/2,600	1,300/4,350	Madari Circular Walk - Rock formations and vistas
2	9/5.5	350/1,100	450/1,450	1,800/6,000	​Artemis Trail to Troodos Square​
3	9.5/15.5	250/800	750/2,500	1,600/5,300	​Troodos Square -Persephone trail - Caledonia Waterfalls Trail to Psilon Dendron
4	11/7	250/800	1,200/4,000	1,100/3,650	High end of Kannoures trail to Kakopetria village

The itinerary (summary)
Day 1 - Arrival to Start location of the Walk (Kakopetria)
Day 2, 3, 4 Possibility to choose from four main walking routes shown in the above table.  
Day 5 - Departure from Kakopetria hotel

Noted.  Besides the walks described on this page, there are other walk combinations that can be done and there are also other possible walks in the area. 

Walk Description
​On Day 1 from the airport travelers are transported to the old part of Kakopetria village where they stay for four nights.  Depending on the time of arrival they 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. 

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​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’).  On the trail one can see also pine, golden oak, strawberry trees, juniper, mastic bushes, wild rose, rock rose, myrtle, bracken, plane, maple and more.   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).  
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Top of Troodos Artemis trail

​We composed a walking route from Troodos Square to Psilon Dendron locality just north of Pano Platres village, adding variety and avoiding the two km/one mi long paved road.  The first stretch of the walk is along the relatively flat Persephone trail towards the south east, offering vistas to the wider area (to a hard to reach peculiar manmade lake at a point), and elsewhere all the way to Limassol bay.  The route then leads west on a forest dirt road to the top end of Caledonia Waterfalls trail.   The trail is in lush and cool environment, it is steep and requires care, especially as it crosses the stream a few times.

Along Kannoures walking trail

Madari circular trail

Artemis walk to Troodos Square via Atalante walk stretch) Walking on Artemis offers superb panoramic views of different parts of Cyprus.  The walk combines barren rocky land, that is home of the endemic Troodos juniper with forested stretches of black pine (and juniper).  Walkers pass by some very old and huge trees.  The walk has a very high value also for those interested in geology. One km before completing the circular Artemis trail, and in order to avoid walking to Troodos Square for 2.5 km / 1.5 mi on paved road, the composed route continues on the last stretch of Atalante walking trail, after crossing the paved road.  On this stretch of Atalante trail walkers enjoy excellent vistas towards the north (Morphou bay and Mesaoria plain).     

At Caledonia Waterfalls

Kannoures walk is mainly on a trail next to a stream, crossing it a few times, and contrasts the lush environment of the Caledonia Waterfalls trail. It is the hardest of the walks, yet recommended for those interested in more 'wild' adventures and possibly in geology.   The walk ends at a dirt road near Unesco World Heritage Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis painted church, which has stunning frescoes.  The last three km/ two mi are along the paved road that leads to the old part of Kakopetria village. 

It should be noted that where we feel that it makes sense, we encourage travellers to use public buses.  For this trip it could be tricky so we arrange a good number of taxi rides that makes it possible to do many walks with no logistical issues. 
 

​(Top) Troodos Climate (at Prodromos,  elevation 1,380 m / 4,550 f)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Average Max Daily Temp (°C)/(°F)

6.3/ ​43.3

6.6/ ​43.9

10.3/ 50.5

15.1/ 59.2

20.5/ 68.9

25/ 77

28.1/ 82.6

27.9/ 82.2

24.4/ 75.9

19.6/ 67.3

12.8/ 55

8/ 46.4

​Average No. of rainy days (>=5.0 mm)

7.6

6.9

5.1

3.5

2

1.4

0.5

0.4

0.5

1.7

4.3

6.9

(Top) Troodos climate refers to the climate at the highest elevation Troodos peak (mount Olympus or Chionistra).  We used the Prodromos village weather station, which is less than 10 km / 6 mi away, but has an elevation of 1,380 m / 4,550 f, considerably lower than that of mount Olympus (elevation of 1,960 m / 6, 400 f).  The temperature on mount Olympus is usually about two degrees lower than that of Prodromos village.  Troodos Square is at an elevation of 1,700 m /  5,600 f, with the temperature difference with Prodromos being smaller.

Summary of our services
We offer Independent Self–Guided Walkers the following services with regards to this specific route:

1. Extensive information on this inhouse designed route that presents the best Troodos has to offer, combining top elements of its natural and cultural heritage. We provide information on the walks and instructions to find one's way, as well as relevant useful information material on Cyprus.
2. Booking of appropriate accommodation in small, agrotouristic establishments.
3. Booking of breakfast (no dinner, as there are many options for travellers in Kakopetria, as well as a number of shops to buy snacks for their walks.​
4. Arranging transfers to location of arrival/departure and other transfers if required.
5. 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, printed material and/or other media.
b) Transportation ​

1) From Larnaca or Paphos airport to the first hotel in Kakopetria (with meet and greet).
2) From Kakopetria to start of Madari Circular Walk (and back) - if travellers decide to do this walk. 
3) One way transport (if required)  to the Artemis trail
4) One way transport (if required) to/from Psilon Dendron, the downhill end of the Caledonia Waterfalls trail 
5) One way transportation (if required) to/from Troodos Square.

​c) Accommodation as follows :

​​Four nights in Kakopetria (in the Mill hotel or in Crystal Boutique Hotel, depending on which one has availability)

d) Breakfast at all accommodation,

e) On the ground support

Note : 
1) The package doesnot include transport after the hotel stay to an airport. We encourage the travellers to use public buses. Of course we can arrange transportation upon request.   

​Prices
The price for the standard package, when
a)  two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 430 Euro per person
b) two walkers travel together on a Single rooms, bed and breakfast basis is 500 Euro per person
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 670 Euro per person.

​BOOKING PROCESS
1) Once Customers study the extensive material, once they have their questions answered and are ready to proceed, they book the trip with us.  At this point they would not need to pay us any advanced payment.  
2) Cyprus Walks Etc works on the bookings.  We make a best effort to come back to the Customers with a reply within two days. 
If there is availability we notify the Customers and we proceed to step 3. 
Otherwise, we notify the Customers and provide them with alternatives. Then we proceed to step 3b. 
Otherwise if there is non-available accommodation that we cannot replace adequately then we proceed to step 3c.
3a) The Customers pay the balance within a week of our written reply to their request for booking their package, and usually at least one month before the trip. We then proceed to step 4. If the Customers don't pay the package price on time, the booking is cancelled.
3b) If the Customers are satisfied with the alternatives that we provide then we proceed to step 3a.  Otherwise we proceed to step 3c.
3c) We cancel the booking.
4) Provided we receive the Customers' payment on time, the booking is considered final and in order. The Customers next step would be to arrive to Cyprus on the arranged dates for an excellent trip.  In the meantime we communicate to provide the Customers with the relevant material (GPS readings, PDF or printed files).

CANCELLATION POLICY

If Customers cancel:
Cancellation charges for a booked trip:

• Until Day 31 prior to travel date: 100 Euro per booking
• Day 30 to Day 16 prior to travel date : 20%
• Day 15 to Day 3 prior to travel date: 50%
• Day 2 prior to Day 1 prior to travel date: 80%
• Day 0 of the trip onward: 100%

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If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels
If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels for severe expected weather or other reason 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 3-day walk instead of the 4-day walk) or they may extend their trip.

Contact us to book