Where are the best hikes in Cyprus? In the Troodos pine forest, the Akamas gorges and the quiet coastal paths, and the trails below range from a 2km scramble to a 14km mountain circuit.
Most people come for the coast and never see the interior, which is exactly why these ten are worth the drive.
Getting to the trailheads: compare hire cars on Auto Europe (affiliate link), book a transfer with KiwiTaxi (affiliate link), or join a guided hike or Troodos day trip on Klook (affiliate link).
Hiking in Cyprus at a Glance
- Best for a first hike: Artemis Trail or Cape Greco
- Best single walk: the Aphrodite Trail in the Akamas
- Best in summer: Caledonia Waterfalls, shaded almost end to end
- Best season: March to May, then October and November
- Weakest part: almost no water, shade or phone signal on the wilder routes
What Is the Path That Ends in Cyprus?
Almost nobody knows this. The E4 European long distance path runs 10,450 kilometres from Tarifa in southern Spain, through France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, mainland Greece and Crete, and it finishes in Cyprus.
The Cyprus section was added in 2005, runs somewhere between 540 and 640 kilometres depending on the variant, and links Paphos and Larnaca airports. A strong walker covering 45 to 50 kilometres a day needs roughly two weeks, but almost nobody does the whole thing and the individual sections work well as day routes.
The stretch from Stavros tis Psokas to Lysos, around 28 kilometres through the Paphos Forest, is the one where you have a genuine chance of seeing mouflon in the wild rather than in the enclosure.
What Catches Hikers Out in Cyprus?
The heat is a real hazard, not an inconvenience. Between June and August, walking at sea level in the middle of the day is genuinely dangerous, because there is no shade on most coastal trails and no water anywhere. Start at dawn or go up into the Troodos, where it runs six to ten degrees cooler.
Your hire car may not be insured for the drive. Several of the best trailheads, particularly on the Akamas and in the Paphos Forest, are at the end of unpaved tracks. Most rental agreements exclude those roads entirely, so check the policy before you commit, because a claim there will be refused. When you compare prices on Auto Europe (affiliate link), read the terms on unpaved roads before you book.
When Is the Best Time to Hike in Cyprus?
March to May is the best window by a wide margin. The island is green after the winter rains, dozens of orchid species are flowering and the temperature sits in the low twenties.
October and November are the second choice, and winter works well at lower altitudes, though snow closes higher Troodos routes in January and February. Our guide to Cyprus weather by month covers the detail.
Which Akamas Trails Are Worth Doing?
Aphrodite Trail
7.5km circular, moderate, around 48km from Paphos.
This is the best known trail on the island and the one to do if you only do one. It starts at the Baths of Aphrodite and climbs away from the coast through juniper and wild olive before opening onto views back across the Mediterranean, then loops down past the ruins of the medieval monastery at Pyrgos tis Rigainas.
Pair it with a swim afterwards, and see our guide to the best beaches in Cyprus for Lara Bay nearby.
Avakas Gorge
3km, moderate, around 30km from Paphos.
Short, dramatic and unlike anything else here. The path follows a riverbed into a limestone canyon that narrows until the walls rise vertically only a few metres apart.
It involves scrambling over wet rock, so proper footwear matters. Avoid it entirely after heavy rain, because flash flooding is a genuine risk in a slot canyon.
Which Troodos Trails Are Best?
Atalanti Trail
14km, moderate, 50km from Limassol.
A long circuit around Mount Olympus, the highest point in Cyprus at 1,952 metres, through pine forest with panoramic openings across the island. It is the longest on this list and the best escape from summer heat, and it ends well with lunch at one of the Troodos mountain taverns.
Artemis Trail
7km circular, easy, 50km from Limassol.
The gentler Olympus circuit and the best introduction to the range. It is largely level and well marked, with views west towards the coast and a good number of endemic plants along the way.
Caledonia Waterfalls Trail
3km, easy to moderate, 45km from Limassol.
The single most comfortable summer walk in Cyprus. It follows the Kryos Potamos river through pine forest to one of the highest waterfalls on the island, shaded almost end to end with the water keeping the air cool, though the path crosses the river several times so expect wet feet.
Madari Circular Trail
13km, moderate to hard, 55km from Limassol.
Ridge walking with the best vantage point in the range. The route runs through forest and rocky outcrops to the fire lookout, where the view opens to 360 degrees across the whole island, and it is noticeably less crowded than the Olympus trails.
Kionia to Agios Nikolaos
9km, moderate, 60km from Limassol.
Forest walking with a genuine destination. It ends at Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, a UNESCO listed Byzantine church with some of the best preserved frescoes in Cyprus, which makes it the strongest option for combining walking with history. Our guide to the monasteries of Cyprus explains what you are looking at.
The Troodos routes are paved to the start, which makes them the easiest to reach by hire car. If you would rather leave the driving to someone else, guided Troodos hikes and village tours are listed on Klook (affiliate link).
What About Easier Walks on the Coast and in the East?
Cape Greco National Forest Park
16km of connected trails, easy, 10km from Ayia Napa.
A network rather than one route, so you can walk for forty minutes or half a day. There are low cliffs, sea caves, the lighthouse, and water in a colour that does not look real, and it is the best for sunset and good with children.
Larnaca Salt Lake Trail
4km, easy, 5km from Larnaca centre.
Flat and completely different depending on when you come. From November to March the lake fills and thousands of flamingos arrive, while by late summer it has dried to white salt crust.
The Hala Sultan Tekke mosque sits on the shore and is worth the detour. Our guide to Cyprus wildlife covers the birds.
Stavrovouni Monastery Trail
2km, steep, around 30km from Larnaca.
Short and hard. It is a steep climb to one of the oldest monasteries anywhere, traditionally dated to the fourth century, on an isolated peak with views across the southern half of the island.
The monastery does not admit women, but the trail and the viewpoint are open to everyone.
Which Hike Should You Choose?
- First hike: Artemis or Cape Greco
- Most memorable single walk: the Aphrodite Trail
- Dramatic and short: Avakas Gorge
- A serious day: Atalanti or Madari
- Summer: Caledonia Waterfalls
- Wildlife: the Salt Lake in winter
- History: Kionia to Agios Nikolaos
Where Should You Stay and Eat Before and After a Hike?
- For the Akamas trails: base yourself in Paphos or Polis, 15 to 20 minutes from Paphos Airport to Kato Paphos and about 45 minutes beyond to Polis. See our Paphos guide, and book Moustakallis in Polis or Grazie in Paphos for dinner.
- For the Troodos trails: Limassol is the closest major base, 45 to 60 minutes from Larnaca Airport. Our hotel reviews of Amara, Parklane and The GrandResort help you choose, and our mountain taverns guide covers lunch.
- For Cape Greco: stay in Ayia Napa or Protaras, 40 to 45 minutes from Larnaca Airport. See our Ayia Napa and Protaras guide and our Adams Beach review.
- For the Salt Lake: stay in Larnaca, 10 minutes from the airport. See our Larnaca guide.
For the wider picture, see where to stay in Cyprus and our guide to getting around.
What Should You Carry?
Bring more water than you expect to need, because there are almost no refill points, and sun protection, since shade is scarce outside the forest. Trainers or approach shoes are enough for most of these, as heavy boots are rarely required.
Download offline maps for the Akamas and Paphos Forest, where phone coverage drops away. Emergency services are on 112. If you want mobile data on the trails without roaming charges, an eSIM from Airalo (affiliate link) can be set up before you fly, though coverage still drops in the Akamas.
Who Are These Hikes For?
They suit anyone with a hire car and a little curiosity, from families on the Cape Greco paths to experienced walkers tackling Madari. Spring visitors get the best of it.
Look elsewhere if you are visiting in July or August and only want to walk at sea level, or if your rental excludes unpaved roads and you cannot reach the trailheads. In that case stick to the Troodos forest routes, which are paved to the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Long Distance Trail in Cyprus?
Yes. The Cyprus section of the E4 European long distance path runs roughly 540km between Paphos and Larnaca airports and was added to the European network in 2005.
When Is the Best Time to Hike in Cyprus?
March to May, with October and November the second window. Avoid low altitude trails in July and August entirely.
Are the Trails Well Marked?
The official Forestry Department nature trails are marked and signposted. Some Akamas and E4 sections are rougher and worth downloading offline.
Do I Need a Guide?
No, all of these can be walked independently. Avakas Gorge is the one where conditions change most.
Can You Hike With Children?
Cape Greco, Artemis and the Salt Lake all work well. Avakas and Stavrovouni do not.
Is There Snow in the Troodos?
Yes, usually in January and February, with a small ski area on Mount Olympus. Higher trails can close.
How Do I Get to the Trailheads?
A hire car is the easiest way, and you can compare prices on Auto Europe (affiliate link). Check that the policy covers unpaved roads before you book. You can also arrange a private transfer through KiwiTaxi (affiliate link), or join a guided hike on Klook (affiliate link).
Where Should I Stay for Hiking in Cyprus?
Paphos for the Akamas, Limassol for the Troodos, Ayia Napa for Cape Greco. See where to stay in Cyprus.
Where Can I Eat After a Hike?
See our guides to the Troodos mountain taverns and the best restaurants in Cyprus.
Final Thoughts
Cyprus packs an unusual amount into a small area. You can walk a limestone gorge in the morning and a forest ridge at 1,800 metres in the afternoon, because nothing here is more than two hours from anywhere else.
Go in spring, start early, and check your insurance before driving to the trailhead. When the walking is done, our best restaurants in Cyprus is the place to eat, and how we review explains how we choose.