CYPRUS

THE TROODOS MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK.

Dominated by Mt. Olympus the National Park has some of the most spectacular scenery on Cyprus. Spring sees the glorious colour of hundreds of wild flowers, whilst the winter snow transforms the mountains into a picture postcard. The uniqueness and beauty of Troodos are unsurpassed for hiking, picnics, touring, skiing, and nature study at any time of the year. The park has around 700 different species of native plants, insects and birds plus migratory birds and the indigenous Moufflon (a cross between a goat and a sheep).

The Forestry Department have prepared clearly marked trails each with varying degrees of difficulty so that you can choose what suits you best. Some lead through the rugged wooded hillsides, deep ravines and ancient forests of cedar, pine and juniper trees. Through the forests run numerous streams and waterfalls. There are three beautiful waterfalls in the park, the Mesapotamo the Kanatara and the Caledonian Falls.

If you want to take it at a slower pace, there are beautiful walks through fertile valleys, thick with groves of olive trees, fruit orchards and timeless villages. Because of their isolation these villages became havens from religious persecution, and in many of them are wonderful examples of Byzantine churches, (protected by UNESCO) nine of which are listed as being of special interest, in particular the Kykko Monastery containing a golden icon of the Virgin Mary said to have been painted by Saint Luke. The churches were built between the 11th and the 16th centuries with frescoes and precious icons that are amongst the finest in the world. Many of the villages have their own special craft or they produce a particular crop such as cherries, peaches and apples. Some of the villages are famous for making their own specialities such as sweets, wine, rose- scented water and pottery.

THE AKAMAS PENINSULAR. This unique peninsular has a rugged landscape of deep gorges and broad beaches and due to international conservation has remained completely unspoiled. The peninsular is home to 150 different plant species, 168 varieties of birds, 12 mammals, 20 species of reptiles and some 16 different butterfly species. The Lara Bay area is the location for an important breeding programme for the endangered green turtle and the hawksbill turtle. The Akamas region is a wild and fairly inaccessible place, with no tourist industry but if you're a dedicated hiker it's worth the effort.

MOUNTAIN VILLAGES.

PLATRES. PRODROMOS. MOUTOULLAS. & KALOPANAGIOTIS. These mountain villages have their own specialities from the growing fruit or beautiful carved wooden bowls to pure bottled water from local springs. Kalopanagiotis is noted for its fish farm. There will be a selection of accommodation and a friendly welcome.

KAKOPETRIA & GALATA. Over looking the Solea Valley planted with thousands of fruit trees, a magnificent sight when in bloom. The other speciality here is trout from their own Trout Farm.

FOINI. Here you can find the wine producing villages know as Krasochoria. Omodos is the largest and has a picturesque village square and a monastery. Foini is noted for its fine hand crafts including chairs, beautifully carved wooden chests, lace and traditional costumes. Also of interest are Fikardou and Vasa and well worth a visit for the architecture of pretty red roofs and beamed churches.

KYKKOS. This is not only the site of the largest monastery on Cyprus but also the starting point used for the more experienced or adventurous hikers. The trails take you along dirt tracks through the beautiful Cedar Valley where the 200,000 elegant trees are the shelter for the moufflon a rare type of wild sheep unique to Cyprus and a protected species. These fascinating trails range from 3 km to 9 km and have a great deal of interesting features for botanist, naturalist, ornithologist or for all lovers of nature walking.

THE NATIONAL FOREST PARK of ATHALASSA. Spread over 840 hectares it was begun in 1904, with the planting of more than 500 tree's shrubs and herb's, 12 endemic varieties amongst them. There is a net work of trails covering about 20 km.

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