Shaded Platy valley
Length of the walk : 16.5 km / 10 mi, most of it under shade (can be easily shortened to 13.5 km / 8.5 mi if preferred) Elevation change : descent from 900 m / 3,000 f to 450 m / 1,500 f This is one example of the walks that I offer. Please keep in mind that trips are offered year round, including summer and that I can pick you up from (and deliver you back to) your accommodation at any location in Cyprus (eg, Paphos, Limassol, Ayia Napa, etc).
Before the walk we will have a short pause at Kakopetria village and the nearby Ayios Nikolaos Tis Stegis church, which is one of ten Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted churches. The old part of the village of Kakopetria (which means ‘bad stone area’ in Greek), with narrow streets and pathways, and stone-built single or double-floor roofed houses is very picturesque. We explore briefly and stop for Cyprus coffee inside the old part. Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis church is very pretty, almost 1,000 years old and has amazing frescos dating as far back as 1100 AD.
The walk takes place in the beautiful shaded Platy Valley, which is found just inside Paphos Forest, in the Troodos mountains, between the villages of Kaminaria, Milikouri and Ayios Nikolaos. It finishes at the beautiful nearby Kelephos (or ’Tzelephos ‘) medieval Venetian bridge.
Platy (which means ‘wide’ in Greek) is one of the few streams in Cyprus that run all year round. During the hottest months the valley is lush, with dense vegetation of ferns, plane trees, pines, ivies, brambles and other plant species (even fig trees). Closer to winter the valley is less green and with a more significant water flow. This easy walk in the valley is on a dirt road next to the stream. Because of the shade and the evaporating water, in summer it is cool in the valley and walking is pleasant even during the hottest months. We will be largely on our own (except for the sporadic car passing through the valley), relaxing and enjoying the serenity of the forest, listening to the stream and the song birds.
If we are lucky (and quiet), and especially closer to sunset (during the hot season) we may spot the occasional elusive mouflon in the valley. We are likely to see lizards and (hear) frogs during our walk, and even (maybe) meet fresh water crab coming out on the dirt road for a stroll.
We leave Platy valley from its south end at the point where it flows into Diarizos river. Diarizos means ‘the one with two roots’ in Greek, Platy river being one of the two. If you prefer the shorter route, our walk ends here. Otherwise we continue on a route that includes part of the walking trail that connects the three medieval bridges in the vicinity. Towards the end of our walk we will be enjoying glorious views of Arminou manmade lake towards the south west.
The longer version of our walk ends at beautiful Kelephos bridge. According to tradition, Kelephos is part of a network of bridges that were used in medieval times by camel caravans to transport mined material from Troodos mines to the port of Paphos. We will be picked up at Kelephos bridge and transported to a nearby village restaurant. Before our return trip, we will have the chance to taste high quality authentic Cypriot cuisine, local delicacies (besides wine we may also try a local alcoholic drink called ‘Zivania’ which is reminiscent of Grappa) and genuine Cypriot hospitality, which many of our customers consider a highlight of our trip.
Each walker is provided with a filled water flask bottle. You are advised to wear long sleeved clothes, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (also to bring along a change of clothes, towels, etc). A walking pole is recommended, even on short easy walks like this one.
Nature & cultural heritage authentic trips leader in Troodos:
