Troodos Mountain Hiking

The Troodos mountains hold a network of waymarked nature trails through pine and juniper forest, cooler in summer than the coast and a different side of Cyprus entirely. The trails are well signed from Troodos Square and the surrounding roads, and you can pick a route to match your fitness and the time you have, from a short waterfall stroll to a half-day loop.

The Caledonia trail follows the Kryos Potamos stream for about 3 km down to a waterfall, a shaded there-and-back walk that is the gentlest of the popular routes. The Artemis trail is a circular route of roughly 7 km around the upper slopes, the highest walk on the island, with long views in clear weather and stretches of endemic black pine and juniper. The longer Atalante trail, around 14 km, also circles the high ground and starts and ends near Troodos Square, staying fairly level for much of its length. All three sit within the Troodos National Forest Park, and signboards along the way explain the plants and geology.

Reaching the peak

The summit area of Mount Olympus, the highest point in Cyprus, anchors the trail network. Spring brings wildflowers and snowmelt streams, while autumn offers stable, cooler walking weather. Winter can bring snow and even skiing on the upper slopes.

• Combine a walk with the painted churches and the Kykkos Monastery deeper in the range.
• Wine villages such as Omodos make a good lunch stop after a morning hike.
• The Omodos wine tour pairs naturally with a Troodos day.

Wear proper walking shoes, carry water as not all trails have springs, and check the weather, as conditions on the high ground differ sharply from the coast.