Walking tour of Cyprus – 03N/04Days

Arrival in Neo Chorio 

Night 1: at the Tavros Apartment Hotel (your first of 3 nights here).
As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.

Choice of walks within a 10-minute drive of Neo Chorio: Approx 10km to 14km

You are within easy reach of a selection of walking trails, plus historical sites such as the Polis Archaeological Museum.

Akamas Peninsula: Approx 14km, 5hrs
Starting from the famous Baths of Aphrodite, a natural grotto, you follow the coastline past scattered, quiet coves. The return leg takes you on a steady climb up onto the backbone of the Akamas Peninsula from where you have spectacular views towards the Bay of Chrysochou.

Aphrodonis Trail: 10km, 4.5hrs
This walk is a combination of two marked nature trails – ‘Adonis’ and ‘Aphrodite’. You begin with an ascent along the Adonis Nature Trail to the heights of the peninsula and continue along the panoramic Aphrodite Trail via the ruins of Pyrgos tis Reginas (Queen’s Tower). From here, you ascend via some truly spectacular coastal viewpoints, before looping back down to the Baths of Aphrodite. The paths are narrow in places, and there is a (fairly short) steep rocky stretch dropping down to the Baths where you need to watch your footing.

Smigies Nature Trail: 13.5km, 4hrs
Enjoy an easy circuit inland from Neo Chorio with far-reaching views over both sides of the Akamas Peninsula.

Goatherds’ Circuit: 13km, 4hrs
Follow a wooded valley to reach an isolated goat farm on a ridge, crossing a ‘network of shepherds’ tracks with views to the turtle beach of Lara and into the Bay of Chrysochou.

Drive from Neo Chorio to Kalopanayiotis

After two days of walking on the Akamas Peninsula by the coast, you enjoy a very different day as you travel east by car towards the Troodos Mountains. En route, we suggest stopping in Paphos to visit the archaeological park whose Roman mosaics are considered to be some of the most impressive in the world. Your next destination is the village of Kalopanayiotis, clinging to a steep hillside in the Marathasa Valley, where you stay at Casale Panayiotis for the last four nights. The village itself is worthy of exploration: it has a rich Byzantine heritage, with six chapels, and the UNESCO-listed Agios Ioannis Lambadistis monastery, with its astonishing frescoes and the small museum.

Choice of walks from Kalopanayiotis: Approx 9km to 14km

There is great walking from here – in our view, the best in the Troodos: seek out the small church of Panagia Asinou, follow the Atalante Trail around the peak of Mount Olympus, or explore the Madari Ridge – a highlight for many with its incredible views.

Around Kalopanayiotis: 9km, 3.5hrs
Explore the quiet heart of the Marathasa Valley on this route from your hotel, which includes an optional ascent to a fabulous viewpoint over the village.

Madari Ridge: 12km, 4.5hrs
This fabulous walk offers panoramic views from the ridge to both the northern Turkish coast and over southern Cyprus. At the end of the ridge stands Cyprus’s second-highest peak, Mount Adelfoi (1,612 meters), topped by a fire watch tower which you can climb. The route is accompanied by botanical signs identifying over 50 plants, bushes, and trees, while the descent from the ridge takes you through pretty mixed woodland, including a stand of Cyprus cedars.

Agios Theodoros to Panagia Asinou: 13km, 4hrs
It’s only a 35km drive through the pretty Solea valley to the start of this walk, and an even prettier onwards stroll to reach one of Cyprus’s most famous small churches. Wandering past orchards and olive groves, you rise through lightly shaded woodland to cross the pass of Selladi Zefkis before reaching the church known as Panagia Asinou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearby, you’ll find the Forviotissa taverna, which offers refreshments to the weary traveler.

Atalante & Mount Olympus: 14km, 4.5hrs
Explore the tips of Mount Olympus, the island’s highest peak (1,952 meters), as you walk across pine-covered slopes that offer constant views through the trees towards the distant coast. (Path may be closed early in the season due to snow.)