Sunflower Books: Landscapes of CYPRUS: WALKS AND CAR TOURS

Cyprus, 5th Edition (2009), updated 09/11/2011

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Updates for walks and car tours (drives) on Cyprus given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book and want to "upgrade" to the latest edition at half price, click here.)

Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably in hard copy, by post, to Sunflower Books, PO Box 115, Exeter EX2 6YU (or if you prefer, by e-mail, to mail@sunflowerbooks.co.uk).

NB: THIS BOOK COVERS SOUTHERN CYPRUS ONLY; for north Cyprus see 'Walk & Eat North Cyprus'

GPS TRACKS: Free tracks for 6 of the walks are now available as a download. See the main page for the book by clicking above (third line).

Walk 1: We tried very hard to get to the top of Mount Olympus but failed. It is now inside the barbed wire fence with a sentry guarding the gate. The CTO's leaflet seems to show a road to the 'Observation point' but we could not find it. Things seem to have changed. (User, 3/10)

Walk 2: There is now a new crazy-paved path from the junction near the start, instead of walking up the road. This connects with the path down from the Police Station and is safer away from the traffic. Paragraph 2, Be careful not to go down a hill shortly before the "turn left about 30m past a 2km sign". We found trainers to be suitable (Sept). (User, 10/11)

Walk 10: We had trouble finding the start of this walk. We thought, wrongly, that Dhodheka Anemi would be at least a hamlet. [although the book makes it clear that it is not a hamlet, but a road junction]. The only way to recognise it is by the small sign that you can only read when you approach it closely and slowly. Perhaps mention of the road sign would be a better indicator for the start of the walk. (User, 3/10)

Walk 11: You write 'Turn sharp left to round an olive grove, then bend right, round the vineyard.' You do not make it clear that you have to go round 3 sides of the olive grove. The vineyard has disappeared, we presume it was under exposed earthworks and piles of debris that we could see in the distance. Not finding the vineyard, we only rounded two sides of the olive grove and followed a 'wrong' track up the hill ending in a rough scramble to get on to the track below the summit of Melissovounos. Since we climbed Melissovounos, enjoyed the view and returned to the Monastery we were able to discover the route you intended on our return. Certainly no visible vineyard! (User, 3/10)

Walk 12: On the section beyond the spring (after 20 minutes), walkers are asked to 'cross the ravine, and ascend under the cliffs'. However the path is very narrow, comprises dry loose stone, and with a fairly steep slope below should one slip from the path. We were wearing appropriate footwear, but felt the ascent was too risky to proceed. We didn't encounter anything similar on other walks, and feel that a warning on the potential hazards (in addition to mud slides which are mentioned) of this particular stretch would be advisable. (User, 10/09) + Our first problem was finding Agiasmatos Street. Much later we discovered the street sign, fixed to a Stop sign, had been demolished! It lay battered on the ground. You say '...turn right on Agiasmatos Street, which soon bears left. A road joins from the right; 100m further on, turn right on signposted Agiasmata nature trail (15min).' The 'road joins' after about a km - some indication of this distance would have been useful. The nature trail sign is laying in the grass and not immediately visible. Regarding the previous comment on Walk 12, we did not find the path 'too risky' - a bit steep in places but OK. (User, 3/10) + We had a problem in finding the start and later found out that it now starts at the Donkey sanctuary on the main road, and not from Agiasmatos Street as stated in the book. We did not have time to then do the walk so can't say if there any further problems. (User, 11/11)

Walk 13: Apart from not seeing any 'No Photography' signs I have 2 comments to make. The first is that were a little confused looking for the turn-off along the line of 'Tall Conifers (30mins)'. The main reason for this was that the map showed it coming off the very straight road when in fact you had to enter the 's' bends to find the place. The other point is that at the end of the walk we tried to 'flag' down a bus, as it says in the book, but it just went past. We walked about 1/2 a mile towards Paphos where there was a bus stop and got the next one. The driver on explained that they are not allowed to stop apart from at legitimate stops. (User, 3/11)

Walk 18: This is a lovely walk and easy for our age group (60's). We did it in trainers without any problems. I suggest that a better and safer place to park is to drive a short way down the lane to an area of waste ground. In the paragraph "When you have enjoyed...." instead of a few paces it is about 30 yds to the track heading south east. "A few paces" could put you on an earlier track into the trees. (User, 10/11)

New walk: Vaouni Panagias Trail (9.8km) European Long distance trial path E4 - on page 23 in the handbook from the CTO . We found an excellent new circular route of reasonable length which was on the whole very well sign posted. Little risk of getting lost. Starting point is opposite the cultural centre near the church in Pano Panagia village. Take a steep concrete road which climbs steeply up the hillside before turning to the right when the road starts to level off after 20mins or so (turn off is sign posted, although sign is pointing between the road and the turn off). Follow a well sign posted stony route which is narrower (4x4s use it) which winds up and around the hillside until it passes below the partially completed Vouni fire lookout station (small detour). Follow the well signed posted level track which passes through vineyards with south east views to the Troodos, before gradually turning and descending to come down the other side of the mountain. Choice of two tracks one to Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa monastery. This passes through countryside before ending rather unsatisfactorily at the concrete turn onto a main road. Turn right along road and reach the monastery which is visible and then follow the road into Pano Panagia village. The alternative choice leads directly to Pano Panagia village which we did not do. (User, 5/11)
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