Most people come to Cyprus for the coast and never see the interior. The island has pine forest at 1,900 metres, limestone gorges you can touch both walls of, and the final section of a footpath that starts in Gibraltar. Ten trails worth the drive, with distances, difficulty and the two things that catch people out.
The Path That Ends Here
Worth knowing before anything else, because almost nobody does. 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. 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. It crosses the Troodos, the Akamas and a great deal of open country in between.
A strong walker covering 45 to 50 kilometres a day needs roughly two weeks. Almost nobody does the whole thing, and the point is that individual sections are walkable 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.
Two Things That Catch People Out
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. 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. Check the policy before you commit to the drive, because a claim there will be refused.
When to Go
March to May is the best window by a wide margin. The island is green after the winter rains, the wildflowers are out, dozens of orchid species are flowering and the temperature sits in the low twenties.
October and November are the second choice. 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.
The Akamas Trails
Aphrodite Trail
7.5km circular, moderate, around 48km from Paphos.
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. Our guide to the best beaches in Cyprus covers 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 entirely after heavy rain, because flash flooding is a genuine risk in a slot canyon.
The Troodos Trails
Atalanti Trail
14km, moderate, 50km from Limassol.
A long circuit around Mount Olympus, the highest point in Cyprus at 1,952 metres. Pine forest most of the way with panoramic openings across the island.
The longest on this list and the best escape from summer heat. Finish 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. Largely level, 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.
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.
Noticeably less crowded than the Olympus trails, which is the main reason to choose it.
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.
The strongest option for combining walking with history. Our guide to the monasteries of Cyprus covers what you are looking at.
The Coast and 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. Low cliffs, sea caves, the lighthouse, and water in a colour that does not look real.
The easiest walking here, 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. 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. 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. The trail and the viewpoint are open to everyone.
Which to Choose
First hike, Artemis or Cape Greco. Most memorable single walk, the Aphrodite Trail. Dramatic and short, Avakas. A serious day, Atalanti or Madari. Summer, Caledonia. Wildlife, the Salt Lake in winter. History, Kionia to Agios Nikolaos.
What to Carry
More water than you expect to need, because there are almost no refill points. Sun protection, since shade is scarce outside the forest. Trainers or approach shoes rather than heavy boots, which most of these do not require.
Offline maps for the Akamas and Paphos Forest, where phone coverage drops away. Emergency services are on 112.
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. Avakas and Stavrovouni do not.
Is there snow in the Troodos?
Yes, usually January and February, with a small ski area on Mount Olympus. Higher trails can close.
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.