Cyprus 365
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Cyprus 365
A shaded stream walk to one of the tallest waterfalls in Cyprus
The Kalidonia (Caledonia) nature trail runs about 3 km through shaded forest in the Troodos Mountains, following the Kryos Potamos, the Cold River, down from near Troodos Square to Psilodentro above Pano Platres. At the far end the stream drops about 12 metres over a rock face, one of the tallest and most-visited waterfalls on the island (nearby Millomeris, also close to Pano Platres, is usually cited as slightly taller at around 15 metres). A Scottish survey team named it in 1878 after Caledonia, the old Latin name for Scotland, because the mist and greenery reminded them of home.
The path is a Forestry Department nature trail inside the Troodos National Forest Park, part of the Troodos UNESCO Global Geopark, and it is signed the whole way with information boards on the local trees and geology. Underfoot it is mostly packed earth and stone steps along the streambank, with a few sections that get slippery when wet, so proper shoes matter more than the modest distance suggests. Most walkers cover it in around 1.5 to 2 hours at an easy pace, plus time at the falls themselves.
The most common starting point is Psilo Dendro, just above Pano Platres on the road up from Troodos Square, where a trout farm restaurant marks the trailhead and offers informal parking. The other end starts near Troodos Square itself, so you can walk it in either direction or arrange a one-way pickup. The trail is free to walk, with no entrance fee, and is at its best from March through November; snow and ice can close the upper sections in winter.
No. The Kalidonia trail is a free Forestry Department nature trail inside the Troodos National Forest Park. Parking near the trailheads is free and informal, though space is limited, especially at Psilo Dendro in summer.
About 3 km one way, taking roughly 1.5 hours at a walking pace (some sources give up to 2 hours). It is rated a moderate to fairly demanding difficulty (level 3), mostly packed earth and stone steps along a streambank, with a few uneven and sometimes slippery sections near the waterfall.
Most visitors start at Psilo Dendro, just above Pano Platres on the road toward Troodos Square, where there is a trailhead car park and a trout-farm restaurant. The other end of the trail begins near Troodos Square itself, so it can be walked in either direction.
The waterfall drops about 12 metres over a rock face. It is one of the tallest and most photographed waterfalls in Cyprus, though nearby Millomeris waterfall, also close to Pano Platres, is usually cited as slightly taller at around 15 metres, so Caledonia is best described as one of the tallest rather than the single tallest on the island.
March through November is the recommended window. The trail is walkable year-round, but winter can bring snow, ice and slippery rock on the higher sections. Early morning is best in summer, both for cooler walking and to beat the crowds at the small trailhead car park.
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