Trek Notes - Greece

The Troodos Mountains

General information
Cyprus is an island of outstanding natural beauty in a region with an abundance of ancient and modern civilisations and cultures.Its mineral wealth was well known in ancient times: the island gave its name to the element copper (Cu).Away from the cosmopolitan towns and beach resorts you will find large areas of natural, unspoilt countryside.Rugged, conifer-clad mountains, woodland and gentle orchards and vineyards are interspersed with tranquil, timeless villages. The people extend a warm and friendly welcome and their hospitality will add greatly to the enjoyment of your tour.In mid to late March Cyprus comes into bloom with a profusion of exquisite, wild flowers. The island’s position on one of the major migratory routes means that it becomes a stopover for many species of birds during their migrations, particularly in April and September / October. The Troodos Mountains cover much of the southern and Western part of the country and this walk takes you from walking in the high mountains down to the coast, starting from an altitude of about 1100m. The walk takes you through a time worn landscape, full of painted churches and ancient monastic complexes, including Kykko, the largest monastery in Cyprus, dating all the way back to Byzantine days. The walk continues down to the Pafos area in the Western part of the island and includes the opportunity for extending the 8 days to 11, walking on to the Akamas Peninsulas; an important nature reserve.

The first hotel: At Pedoulas, in the Troodos Mountains.Transfer from Pafos or Larnaka airport (included in tour price) by road to Pedoulas.
Arrival: Late afternoon to early evening.
Nearest airport:Pafos. There always seem to be more space available on flights to Larnaka, but there is a supplementary charge for transfers to Larnaka airport on your return of £40.

Travel from the U.K:
Scheduled flights from London Gatwick to Pafos on Wednesdays: or scheduled daily flight from London Heathrow to Larnaka.

Prices: The UK price is based on two people sharing a twin or double bedroom and includes return flight from London Gatwick to Pafos, or Heathrow to Larnaka.

End of Tour: After breakfast on final day. Transfer back to Pafos airport, or to Larnaca at an additional cost of £40.

Season: March to November. In June through to September some people may find it uncomfortably hot in the lower-lying areas for walking, but making early starts can help to alleviate the effects of the heat.In March and November it can be wet and cold in the mountains.

For this reason we have introduced a winter programme, operating from November through to March, this walk avoids the higher areas and concentrates on the areas west of the Troodos Mountains where the weather is much better. Please ask for this separate dossier if you are interested in travelling during this season.

Level of Difficulty

Fitness: This is a grade B or moderate trek, as the daily walking distances are average, but it includes some steep climbs and descents. It should therefore present no difficulties to someone accustomed to day- long walking.

Day stages:Distances walked vary from 17 to 22 kms (27 km on the extended day) or 4 to 7 hours a day (8 hours on the extended day) and there are six trekking days.

Waymarks: Waymarks are limited but the walks are mainly marked with a distinctive yellow /green blobs. Other waymarks should be ignored as they may mislead you.

Accommodation & Meals
The type and standard of accommodation varies considerably on this tour, as choice is limited in the small mountain villages, which are a feature of this walk.However each of the accommodations has rooms with en-suite or private facilities.Evening meal and breakfast are included, although in some cases these meals are provided in a nearby tavern.

Nights 1 & 2: Pedoulas. Your first 2 nights accommodation is a 1 star comfortable, family-run hotel with about 20 rooms in the middle of this attractive village. All rooms have en-suite facilities.

Night 3:Milikouri.This is a remote village with few remaining inhabitants.You stay at the former schoolhouse, which has been converted into 5 rather basic 'apartments' with en suite facilities.The heating system is quite old, so this is a place to double up with a fleece or jumper in bad weather, although ample blankets are supplied.Meals are taken at the village's single combined taverna and shop.

Night 4:Stavros tis Psokas (Psokas Cross).In the depths of the forest, you stay at an attractive guesthouse run by the Forestry Department. Most of the 7 rooms have en-suite facilities.The cafeteria where meals are provided is 10 minutes walk away.

Night 5: Kato Akourdaleia.In the centre of this tiny village, set among orange groves, you stay in a traditional old building now converted into an attractive, family-run inn with 7 en-suite rooms.On occasion rooms in the nearby villa and in the village are used.

Night 6:Drouseia. You stay in a 3 star hotel on the edge of this attractive village.This is the largest accommodation we use on this tour, with about 50 rooms, all with en-suite facilities.The hotel has its own swimming pool (in season) and tennis court.There are shops and tavernas in the village.

Night7: Agios Georgios tis Pegeias.You stay at a small, family-run 1 star hotel with rather basic, 9 en-suite rooms about 400 metres from the small fishing harbour and beach.The surrounding area is mainly agricultural, growing bananas and citrus.Nearby are the ruins of an early Christian basilica.

11 day tour only:
Nights 8,9, and 10: Chrysochou Bay, Akamas Peninsula.Clients choosing the Akamas extension will spend 3 nights at a 2 star hotel on Chrysochou Bay on the northern side of the peninsula. The hotel has 40 en-suite rooms.The modern looking hotel is set in a fine position, just above a nice beach and with good views.1.5km/1 mile away are the 'Baths of Aphrodite' where the lovely goddess is said to have bathed in a rock pool.4km/2.5 miles away is Lachi harbour where all facilities are available.A further 2 km from here and you reach Polis a small town, but the area's largest!

Itinerary
All walking times are estimates, excluding stops

Day 1:Arrive Cyprus.Transfer to Pedoulas in the heart of the Troodos mountain range.

Day 2: You start with a circular walk from Pedoulas via Moutoulas and its 13th century church, enjoying wonderful mountain scenery and some spectacular views.6 hours walking.

Day 3: Pedoulas to Milikouri. From Pedoulas you walk through the delightful Platy Valley to the village of Milikouri. 3.5 - 7.5 hours walking.

Day 4: Milikouri to Stavros tis Psokas. Short transfer to the Monastery of Kykko and then the walk leads on through dense natural forests of Cyprus cedar in Cedar Valley,habitat of the Moufflon, unique to Cyprus, to Stavros tis Psokas.7.5 hours walking.

Day 5: Stavros tis Psokas to Kato Akourdaleia.Today's walk involves a long descent out of the mountains. The route passes through Stavros tis Psokas valley and up to Simou village.5.5 hours walking to Simou and a further 2,5 to Kato Akourdaleia if you wish to extend your day.

Day 6: Kato Akourdaleia to Drouseia. Today we regain some height as we cross over the ridge of the Akamas peninsula.3.5 hours walking.

Day 7: Drouseia to Agios Georgios tis Pegeias and six hours walking including the visit to the Avakas Gorge. Today you finally descend to the coast.

Day 8 (8-day tour): Transfer from Agios Georgios tis Pegeias back to the airport.

Day 8 (11-day tour): Transfer by road to Chrysochou Bay.

Days 9 & 10: Local walks around Chrysochou Bay; swimming etc. The Akamas peninsula affords a variety of scenery and breathtaking views and you can visit the wellknown beauty spot known as the Baths of Aphrodite where legend has it the goddess bathed in the rock pool. You are taken back to Drouseia and then walk back to your hotel via the deserted village of Androlikou and the Baths of Aphrodite. The final walk takes you to the High Akamas on a circular route through Smiyies, where there is a picnic area and Mouti tis Sotiras, a peak overlooking the sea from which we get beautiful views. The nature trails of the Akamas are particularly spectacular when the spring flowers are in bloom.

Day 11: Transfer from Chrysochou Bay back to the airport.