dossier
The Troodos Mountains
Travel Information
The first hotel: At Pedoulas, in the Troodos Mountains. Transfer from Pafosor Larnaca airport (included in tour price) by road to Pedoulas.
Arrival:Late afternoon to early evening.
Nearest airport: Pafos (Paphos). It is also possible to fly to Larnaca, butthere is a supplementary charge for transfers to Larnaca airport on your returnof $140 for up to 4 people.
Travel Options: Flight to Pafos or to Larnaca.
Prices:The price is based on two people sharing a twin or double bedroom and does notinclude airfare.
End of Tour: After breakfast on final day. Transfer back to Pafos airport, or toLarnaca.
Season:March to November. In June through to September some people may find ituncomfortably hot in the lower-lying areas for walking, but making early startscan help to alleviate the effects of the heat. In March and November it can bewet and cold in the mountains.
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 nodifficulties to someone accustomed to day- long walking.
Day stages:Distances walked vary from 17 to 22 kms (11 to 14mi) (27 km/17mi on theextended day) or 4 to 7 hours a day (8 hours on the extended day) and there aresix trekking days.
Waymarks:The walks are mainly marked with a distinctive yellow /green blobs, but also inplaces with red, brown or blue dots, like a little castle, except for thecircular walk on day 7, which has green triangles on a white rectangle.
Accommodation & Meals
The type and standard of accommodationvaries considerably on this tour, as choice is limited in the small mountainvillages, which are a feature of this walk. However each of the accommodationshas rooms with en-suite or private facilities. Evening meal and breakfast areincluded, although in some cases these meals are provided in a nearby tavern.
Nights 1, 2 & 3: Pedoulas. Your first 2 night's accommodation is a 1 starcomfortable, family-run hotel with about 20 rooms in the middle of thisattractive village. All rooms have en-suite facilities.
Night 4:Stavros tis Psokas (Psokas Cross). In the depths of the forest, you stay at anattractive guesthouse run by the Forestry Department. Most of the 7 rooms haveen-suite facilities. The cafeteria where meals are provided is 10 minutes walkaway.
Night 5: KatoAkourdaleia. In the centre of this tiny village, set among orange groves, youstay in a traditional old building now converted into an attractive, family-runinn with 7 en-suite rooms. On occasion rooms in nearby houses in the villageare 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, allwith en-suite facilities. The hotel has its own swimming pool (in season) andtennis court. There are shops and taverns in the village.
Night 7: AgiosGeorgios tis Pegeias. You stay at a small, family-run 1 star hotel with ratherbasic, 9 en-suite rooms about 400 meters from the small fishing harbour andbeach. 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 theAkamas extension will spend 3 nights at a 2 star hotel on Chrysochou Bay on thenorthern side of the peninsula. The hotel has 40 en-suite rooms. The modernlooking hotel is set in a fine position, just above a nice beach and with goodviews. 1.5km/1 mile away are the 'Baths of Aphrodite' where the lovely goddessis said to have bathed in a rock pool. 4km/2.5 miles away is the large villageof Lachi harbour where all facilities are available. A further 2 km/1.2mi fromhere and you reach Polis a small town, but the area's largest!
On this Self Guided Tour we provide you with Route notes and maps.
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ITINERARY |
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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. hours walking. You will be met at a set time and returned to Pedoulas. (The Milikouri Hut is the only place to stay and the lady that runs it has not been well so the hut has been closed). Day 4: Milikouri to Stavros tis Psokas. 25 minute transfer to the start of the walk, stopping off at the Monastery of Kykko for a short visit. Our walk then starts from SElladi tou Staktou, the walk leads on through dense natural forests of Cyprus cedar in Cedar Valley, and the habitat of the Moufflon- like, horned sheep 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 reach the Laona Plateau. 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 the villages of 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. |