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This walking holiday explores two of Cyprus’ most distinctive regions, combining the mountain trails in the Troodos with coastal walking on the Akamas Peninsula. The route is perfect for hikers who want varied scenery, well-marked paths and a balance of inland and coastal landscapes, supported by comfortable accommodation and included transfers throughout. You will begin in the Troodos Mountains, staying in the traditional village of Pano Platres at 1,200 metres (3,940 feet). Walks here focus on some of the island’s best-maintained mountain trails, including scenic high-level circuits around Mt Olympos and forest paths leading to waterfalls. Distances are moderate, with daily walks typically between 9 and 12 kilometres (5.5 to 7.5 miles), and there is time to enjoy the local village tavernas and restaurants after each walk. Midway through the trip, the landscape changes as you descend from pine forest to the Laona plateau closer to the coast. Hike through traditional stone villages such as Kathikas and Droushia, offering insights into rural Cypriot life. The final part of the holiday is by the sea by beautiful Chrysochou Bay, on the Akamas Peninsula. Here, coastal walks provide wide views over the Mediterranean, with routes following established trails such as the Smiyies, Adonis and Aphrodite trails. With private transfers to enable the walks and from Paphos airport included, this trip offers a comprehensive walking introduction to Cyprus.
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Day 1
Arrive Cyprus and transfer to the Troodos Mountains
Arrive at Paphos airport and meet your driver for the included private transfer (1 hr 30 mins) to Platres Village in the Troodos Mountains. Platres, at 1200m, is one of the highest of the mountain villages and was a popular resort with British colonists in times past and retains the feel of a colonial hill station. This old world charm now mixes with more modern hotels and restaurants for the visitors who come to hike the forest and mountain trails or ski in the winter months. The village sites on the fringe of the Troodos pine forest offering easy access to some of the best trails. Accommodation: Four nights in a comfortable, friendly traditional mountain inn in the village of Pano Platres, with ensuite rooms and views across the surrounding valleys. Transfers can be arranged from Larnaca Airport at additional cost
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Hike the Artemis & Atalante Trails – 12 km/7.5 miles – 5h
Today’s walk follows the Artemis and Atalante Trails, two of the finest high-level paths in the Troodos, circling the summit slopes of Mount Olympos (1952m/6404ft). Linked together, these trails create a scenic walk with views that reach out to the coast around the entire island. Your day begins with a short private transfer to the “North Face” ski station on Olympos where you will join the Artemis Trail as it skirts peaceful forest before emerging onto the higher slopes of the mountain from where there are incredible views. There are several varieties of trees in the forest, including 500 year old Black Pine, Golden Oak and Cyprus Cedar. The Artemis Trail joins the Atalante Trail through virgin forest with glimpses of the northern part of the island, and sees you finish your walk in Troodos Square. There are an array of cafes and restuarants here for you to enjoy while you await your return transfer to Pano Platres.
Meals: B
Day 3
Hike the Pouziaris & Caledonia Trails – 10.5km/6.5miles – 4 to 6h
Walking from your hotel, your circular walk today combines two very scenic and contrasting trails – the panoramic Pouziaris Trail and the shady forest of the Caledonia Trail, named by Scottish colonial officers who were reminded of the cool forests of their homeland. Ascend the Pouziaris Trail, which winds steadily uphill through aromatic forest. As you climb, the canopy opens to sweeping views over surrounding peaks, with the occasional glimpse of the sea beyond. This section is typically quiet so you can listen to the birdsong and the crunch of pine needles underfoot. Leaving the trail part-way, you will join the Caledonia Trail to descend a beautiful valley following the Kryos Potamos stream, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and broad leaf trees. Wooden bridges cross the stream multiple times as you descend towards the Caledonia Waterfall, a 12m cascade. Pause here for a well-earned break before continuing to follow the stream to the trailhead from where it’s a short walk downhill to the village.
Day 4
Hike the Myllomeris Trail & Vineyard Trail to Omodos – 9km/6 miles – 4h
In the morning, you may wish to take the short but scenic walk from your hotel along the Myllomeris Trail (approx 45 mins). Follow the shaded forest path, occasionally crossing a small stream and winding through stands of pine, plane and golden oak. The final approach reveals the Myllomeris Waterfall cascading down a rock face into a shallow pool. Soak up the sounds of water and birdsong before taking the trail back to Platres where a private transfer will take you to Mandria, a stone-built village with a traditional church and a restaurant popular with locals. From here you will hike down into the valley below the tree line into a landscape of orchards and vineyards to Omodos, one of the Troodos Mountains’ most picturesque villages and renowned for its stone-paved square, traditional wine presses, and long heritage of Cypriot winemaking, with local varieties still produced in family-run wineries that welcome visitors for tastings. There are several wineries you can visit here, or you can just while away your time strolling the narrow cobbled streets shopping for souvenirs or enjoy a Cyprus coffee. A private transfer will collect you later in the afternoon as you return to Platres. Toast your trip with a glass of local wine or a Keo beer and enjoy dinner in the village.
Day 5
Hike from Kathikas to Droushia – 10.5km/6.5 miles – 3 to 4h
Today you will leave the pine forests of the Troodos Mountains behind to you and journey to the beautiful beaches of Cyprus’ Akamas peninsula via a walk on the Laona Plateau . A private transfer (2 hrs) will take you to Kathikas, a well-preserved stone-built village. You can wander around the pretty streets, enjoy a Cyprus coffee or visit the Akamas Information Centre to learn more about the area. Hiking from the village, which sits at 600 metres, you will enjoy vistas of the Akamas Coast and the Chrysochou Bay. From here, today’s walk connects 4 stone-built villages, providing opportunities to see traditional architecture and visit a number of museums, including the Knights museum and the Geological museum in Pano Arodes and the Sea Turtle Museum in Inia. The route also passes by a winery near Kathikas where you can taste the excellent local vintages. Your walk ends in the village of Droushia where you can enjoy a visit to the local Taverna before a private transfer takes you to your hotel by the sea. This is a great walk at through all seasons, with green fields and wildflowers in bloom in winter and much of spring, golden colours in summer, and the more earthy colours of autumn. Accommodation: Three nights in a modern hotel on Chrysochou Bay or a friendly hotel in the Latchi beach area with lots of restaurants and shops nearby.
Day 6
Hike the Smiyies trail to Neo Chorio Village – 9.5 km/6miles – 3 to 4h
After breakfast, a short private transfer of around 20 minutes (12 mi) takes you to Smiyies, the starting point for today’s walk. From here, you set out on a scenic figure-of-eight hike along a ridgeline with sweeping views across the Akamas Peninsula and sections of the wild west coast, including the Lara shoreline. Smiyies is steeped in Greek mythology and is said to be the legendary meeting place of Aphrodite and her lover Adonis. According to myth, Aphrodite was born from sea foam off Cyprus’ southern coast, and their story is deeply woven into the island’s landscapes, adding a rich cultural layer to the day’s walk. The route follows the Smiyies and Pissouromoutti trails, leading towards the village of Neo Chorio. Along the way, you enjoy expansive coastal views before stopping at the atmospheric ruins of the medieval monastery of Agios Minas. The trail then winds through groves of carob trees, one of Cyprus’ traditional cultivated plants, offering welcome shade and a glimpse into the island’s rural heritage. The walk finishes in Neo Chorio, where your driver collects you in the late afternoon for the return journey to your coastal hotel.
Day 7
Hike the Adonis & Aphrodite Trails – 10km/6 miles – 3 to 4h
Today you will walk a combination of the Adonis and Aphrodite circular trails to enjoy one of the most rewarding walks on Cyprus. According to legend, Aphrodite and Adonis met regularly in the Akamas forest. The route begins with the eastern section of the Adonis Trail, where you pass the evocative ruins of a medieval monastery and a magnificent ancient oak tree said to mark the meeting point of Aphrodite and Adonis when in love. From here, the trail climbs steadily to the summit of Moutti Tis Sotiras, one of the most commanding viewpoints on the peninsula. From the top, you are rewarded with expansive views across the coast. The descent from the peak offers fine views and is widely regarded as one of the finest walks on the island, offering open views along the coast. The walk finishes at the small yet deeply symbolic Baths of Aphrodite, a fitting and atmospheric end to the day. From here you can return to your accommodation on foot or take the local bus.
Day 8
Arrangements end after breakfast
After breakfast, take a private transfer from your hotel to Paphos airport to catch your outbound flight. Transfers can also be arranged to Larnaca Airport at additional cost. Should you wish to arrange this, or extend your visit in Cyprus, please talk to your travel consultant when you book.
What's included
What's not included
Accommodation on this trip is comfortable and welcoming, providing a relaxing base after each day’s walk. You stay in two locally run hotels, beginning with four nights in a traditional mountain inn in the Troodos region, followed by three nights in a well-located seaside hotel on Chrysochou Bay. The mountain accommodation offers a strong sense of place, with ensuite rooms, village or valley views and easy access to local restaurants, while the coastal hotel provides a relaxed atmosphere close to the sea. Both properties are chosen for their comfort, friendly service and suitability for walkers. Should first-choice accommodation be unavailable, a similar standard alternative will be arranged nearby.
Trails cover a mix of surfaces including forest tracks, cobbled village lanes, and sections of uneven or rocky ground, especially on descents. There are some short stretches on quiet tarmac roads and cement jeep tracks, and mild exposure on parts of the Artemis and Aphrodite trails. While there are no technical difficulties, sure-footedness and confidence on varied ground are important. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended.
This holiday is graded Moderate, due to the varied terrain which includes mountain and coastal tracks with some steady ascents and descents. Daily distances range from 9 to 12 km (6 to 7.5 miles) making this a rewarding yet achievable mountain and coastal walking adventure for those with a reasonable level of fitness. Private transfers to and from trailheads keep each day focused on the most scenic routes, and the walking is unhurried with time to pause and take in mountain and sea views.
Per Person, Twin Share
This walking holiday gives you a true taste of Cyprus beyond the beaches, combining mountain trails in the Troodos range with coastal walking on the wild Akamas Peninsula. You experience a wide variety of scenery in a single week, from pine forests and waterfalls to vineyards, stone villages and Mediterranean coastline. Daily walks are well paced and rewarding rather than demanding, with time to enjoy village life, local food and the landscape along the way. Comfortable accommodation, included transfers and a carefully planned route mean you can focus on the walking and the experience, not the logistics. It’s an ideal choice if you are a fit walker looking for a varied, well-supported introduction to Cyprus that balances mountains, culture and coast.
It’s very straightforward. Cyprus is easy to reach, with a large network of flight options from across Europe and the Greek capital, Athens. We have included private transfers within the cost of this trip from Paphos Airport (1h 30 mins) or for a small addiitional cost, from Larnaca (1h 30 mins) so once your flight lands there is no stress of getting across the island by public transport and you will arrive at your hotel relatively quickly.
This trip is suitable for regular hikers. Daily walks range from around 9 to 12 km (5.5 to 7.5 miles) on well-established trails, with some ascents and descents, particularly in the mountains and on the Akamas Peninsula. You’ll need a reasonable level of walking fitness and confidence on uneven terrain. On some of the trails across mountainside slopes, there is a light feeling of exposure as you cross some steep slopes (although there are no precipitous long drops!)
You stay in comfortable, locally run accommodation throughout, with four nights in a traditional mountain inn in the Troodos Mountains and three nights in a modern and comfortable seaside hotel on Chrysochou Bay.
Transfers are included between the Troodos Moutains and the coast. From Aphrodite Beach, or hotels in Latchi, you will need to take the frequent local bus to the Aphrodite Trail.
Cypriot food is hearty, seasonal and full of flavour. Expect grilled meats, fresh salads, mountain stews, local cheeses like halloumi, and plenty of olives, herbs and honey. You’ll eat well in village tavernas, where traditional dishes are made with care. Local wines are a highlight too, especially in Omodos, one of the island’s best-known wine villages. Vegetarians are well catered for.
Yes, solo travellers are very welcome on this trip. Single rooms can be arranged on request (a solo supplement applies), and the welcoming nature of the local communities, combined with widespread English-speaking, makes Cyprus an easy and enjoyable destination to explore alone. It’s a great choice for independent walkers who value scenic trails, cultural depth, and the chance to enjoy local food, wine and village life at their own pace.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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