Cedar Valley

Cedar Valley (Koilada ton Kedron) lies deep in the Paphos forest in the Tilliria area, on the western flank of the Troodos mountains. It is the main home of the endemic Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia), a relative of the famous cedar of Lebanon with shorter needles, found naturally only on Cyprus. The valley holds an estimated fifty thousand of these trees, and the wider population is small enough that the species is closely protected. The Cyprus Department of Forests manages the area as part of the state forest.

This is a quiet, remote spot reached by winding mountain roads, some of them unpaved, rather than a developed park with facilities. A small picnic site sits in the valley, and a forest road and footpaths let you walk among the cedars. The surrounding Paphos forest is one of the strongholds of the Cyprus mouflon, the island's wild mountain sheep and a national emblem, so patient and quiet visitors sometimes see them, especially early or late in the day. The drive itself, through dense forest with long views, is part of the appeal.

Reaching Cedar Valley

• The approach roads are mountainous and partly unpaved; drive slowly and check fuel.
• There is a picnic site but few other services, so bring water, food and a full tank.
• Combine it with nearby Kykkos Monastery or the Stavros tis Psokas forest station.
• Spring and autumn give the best weather and the best chance of seeing mouflon.

Cedar Valley is usually visited as part of a longer mountain drive. It pairs naturally with Kykkos Monastery to the east and the trails of the Troodos National Forest Park, while Polis and Latchi and the Akamas Peninsula lie down the mountain to the northwest.