Troodos trails are like a well kept secret in Cyprus. The island is mostly known for the golden beaches and the wild parties of Ayia Napa. Cyprus not only has trails, but also has mountain trails. Yes! It has mountains as well!
View from Pouziaris trail
Troodos
Troodos is the biggest mountain range in the island. The highest peak is Mt Olympus 1952m (did you know that except for the original Mount Olympus, there are at least seven more mountains named Olympus around the world, and one in Mars?)
Located in the middle of the island it will give you great views to all directions and in a clear day you can see all the way to the sea! Another great advantage is that you can drive straight to the top by car, so access to the various trails is very easy. It even has 4 slopes for skiing!
Trail signs don’t have any info unfortunately
The Trails
In general the terrain is easy to cross and so are the trails (if you have never hiked before, you can read our hiking guide). The route I’m writing about here is consisted of three small trails, which together form a circular route. The starting point is meters away from the main square of Troodos, where you can also park you car. Bear in mind that this route has quite some elevation gain; so if you’re looking for something easier you’ve better pick something like Atalanti trail.
The trails are Persefoni, Psilo Dentro-Pouziaris and Caledonia. Basically the route starts at 1730m where the square is, then goes all the way down to 1238m and finally ascents back to 1700 again.
A Pine Tree in Persefoni trail
Persefoni is a relative wide and straight trail, so it was easy to walk despite the mediocre signs. It took us less than an hour and it was a carefree walk through the pines and junipers with beautiful views to Amiantos—an old abandoned asbestos mine. Before the trail was over, we turned right to the dirt road and walked till we found a sign for Psilo Dentro.
Psilo dentro-Pouziaris trail was a little more tricky, firstly because the signage is bad or non existent, and secondly because the trail is kind of circular.
And I say kind of, because it’s more like a linear one with an alternate route for a part of it. Anyway, I suggest you have a map with you even though the route is easy because of the confusing signs. You can get one for free at any Cyprus Tourism Organisation office. For the record, we took the route that goes to the right as you descent. This section took us around two hours and a half to finish with stops for photographs.
Pouziaris is more narrow and more trail-like. It also gives you this serene feeling of isolation, the sense that you are far from everything. We didn’t meet a soul for the whole duration and for the better part of the trail there isn’t even a village on the horizon. The weather was great, a little cloudy, but perfect for hiking. I can say that Pouziaris was our favorite trail of the day, plus I got the best photos out of it.
Pouziaris Trail
The trail finished at Psilo Dentro which is actually a tavern. From there, we walked fifty meters up the main road and found signs for the small road going further higher to Caledonia Waterfalls.
This trail was also straightforward and the only difficulty was the ascent. We just found the stream and walked next to it. The vegetation is very thick around there and because it was getting late, the light started to diminish. From the nature-lover’s point of view, Caledonia is the most beautiful trail of the three and that’s because of water which changes the usual dry terrain you find everywhere else and allows more flora to grow around. Especially species that need lots of water like plane trees. This is also the most popular and crowded trail in Troodos.
It was getting late and most people were leaving. By the time we reached the main waterfall we were almost alone. We stopped there for a break and to shoot some photos, then carried on uphill through the forest for another half an hour till we found the old B8 snake-like road which goes back to Troodos square. It was night by then, so we walked the rest 45mins in darkness.
Caledonia Main Waterfalls
Preparation
Gear
A pair of walking boots will serve you better than sport shoes even though the terrain is not very rough.
Water
There is no drinking water till Caledonia so prepare accordingly.
Lower Part of Caledonia
Overall
It is a lovely hike. Relatively easy with some great views, beautiful pine forests and juniper trees. All three of these trails have something different to offer, and they are some of the nicest trails on Troodos.
Caledonia Trail
All in one this trek can be walked within 6 hours with ease. It’s suitable for everyone with moderate fitness level, doesn’t pose any special difficulty at any part of it and is a great way to meet Troodos trails.
Twilight zone signs
The old road to the square
travel and photography with friends and anybody who has the same passion.
Helpful for my upcoming trip to Cyprus!
Thanks!
My pleasure! If you’d like any other info don’t hesitate to text.
Great site, photos and info Christo. It’s really helpful. I’m hoping to send a few days exploring those trails and others. Would you recommend any place/town/area to stay as a base for a few days. I’m traveling by car so I am happy to roll into a place or I can book ahead online too. I’m heading there tomorrow or the next
Thanks very much, Kieran from Ireland
Thank you, Kieran.
If you have a car then you have multiple choices.
You can stay in big villages like Platres and Kyperounta
or pick a small one like Lemithou (I stayed in Themis house there
and it was great)
If you do stay in a small village bear in mind that it probably
won’t have any restaurants though.
Thank you Chris. I’m about to travel to Cyprus and want to trek in the Troodos Mountain area while I’m there, so this is very helpful.
I’ll have no car so would like to find somewhere affordable to stay, within walking distance of some good trails. I’m used to hiking & staying in hostels but not camping. Any suggestions? Most of the hotels I’m looking at on Booking.com are pretty pricey.
Many thanks!
Michele
Hi Michele, I would suggest a place a bit lower from Troodos. Kyperounta is a beautiful village and big enough to find something on Airbnb I hope. There is also an amazing trail that starts outside the village (I’ll write a post in the near future about it)
Your posts are always inspiring. We are walking Zagoria next year, inspired as we were by one of your past articles. A great way to find out about trails less trodden.
Thank you! Zagoria is a place for which I had enormous expectations and when I finally got there, those expectations were met. You will love the place and the people.
Hi!
First of all, the trails themselves are looking amazing and you have done great job with putting the post togheter. I am currently having some issues with finding the connection points between different trails so i would be realy happy if you could send a screenshot of Google Maps.
Looking for your answer,
Andero
Thank you, glad I can help a fellow hiker. Google maps doesn’t picture the all the trails clearly. Better check this map from Cyprus tourism campaign page.
http://www.visitcyprus.com/images/nature_trails/Troodos_Platres_EN_lrg.jpg
Thank you Chris!
Very detailing and definitely helpful information. I’m in Cyprus for three days only and don’t have time to get lost in the forest. It’s good to know that I don’t need a guide even thou the trail is not well marked.
Hopefully it’s better now since you’ve posted this a few years ago.
The map you shared will be my main guide.
A big hug and thank you very much!
Rita
#DragonflyAdventures
You’re very welcome Rita, glad I could help!
Haven’t been there for long
so if things have changed let me know. Also, don’t hesitate
to ask if you have any questions, I’ll be happy to help if I can.
Have a great hike!
Thanks Chris for sharing this!
Few questions please. Better to stay in Troodos or Platres ?
Where could we find GPX for the se three trails ?
Cheers!
Hi Geoffrey,
Troodos square doesn’t have many places and the quality is not great either. If you have a car, you will find more choices and probably better accommodation in Platres or any other village around the square for that matter.
As for the GPXs, you’ll probably find them on Wikiloc and Alltrails.com.