Explore Cyprus · Hiking

Best Nature Trails in Cyprus

Twelve of the island’s best marked trails, from black pine forests and waterfalls in the Troodos mountains to wild Akamas hills and the sea caves of Cape Greco. Compare difficulty, distance and time, then see how to reach each trailhead.

Filter trails

Region
Difficulty
Distance
Time

Distance and time are the official route figures; linear trails are measured one way.

12 trails

Akamas peninsula

Adonis trail

Distance
7.5 km
Time
3–4 hours
Top altitude
319 m

A demanding Akamas loop past the Queen’s Tower ruins and the Kefalovrysia spring, with views over Polis, the Paphos Forest and the peninsula.

Trail details for Adonis trail→

Akamas peninsula

Smigies trail

Distance
2.5 km short loop or 6 km long loop
Time
1 hour (short) or 2 hours (long)
Top altitude
388 m

Two loops from a picnic site above Neo Chorio, with views of Lara Bay to the west and Chrysochou Bay to the east. The long loop passes old mines and kilns.

Trail details for Smigies trail→

Before you set out

Pick the right grade

Grades come from the official trail map: 1 star is easy, 2 is moderate, 3 is difficult (steep, rocky or long). Choose a route that matches the least experienced person in your group.

Carry water and sun protection

Most fountains on the trails are not drinking water. Take plenty of water, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; summer temperatures can exceed 40°C on the coast.

Wear proper shoes

Trails are rocky, with steep slopes and stream crossings in places. Walking shoes or boots with good grip make a big difference.

Plan the return first

Rural buses can be infrequent and phone signal patchy. Know your last departure or fix a pickup time before you start, especially on linear trails.

In an emergency, call 112

112 is the European emergency number and works in Cyprus. Note the trail name and your nearest landmark so you can describe your location.

Respect the forest

Stay on marked paths, take your rubbish home and never light fires outside designated picnic sites. Forest fire risk is high in the dry season.

Getting to the trailhead

Plan the journey, not just the walk

Troodos Square, the Baths of Aphrodite and the Cape Greco coast have bus services; most other trailheads need a taxi or car. Each trail page lists the options and the official start point.

Plan your journey

Hiking in Cyprus: common questions

What is the best nature trail in Cyprus for beginners?

Persephone (3 km from Troodos Square) and Artemis (a 7 km loop around Mount Olympos) are both graded easy in the mountains. On the coast, the Cape Greco trails near Ayia Napa are short and easy.

What do the difficulty stars mean?

Stars match the official grade on the Visit Cyprus nature trails map: one star is an easy trail, two is moderate (average) and three is difficult. The grade reflects steepness, terrain and length.

Can I reach Cyprus nature trails by bus?

Some, with planning. Troodos Square (Atalanti and Persephone) is served by EMEL route 64 from Limassol, the Baths of Aphrodite by Pafos Buses route 622 from Polis, and the Cape Greco coast by OSEA routes 101/102. Most other trailheads need a taxi or car. Each trail page lists the options.

When is the best time to hike in Cyprus?

Spring and autumn suit most trails. In summer, the Troodos mountains are far cooler than the coast; coastal and Akamas walks are best early in the morning. In winter, snow and ice are possible on the high Troodos trails.

Sources and checked date

Distances, times, grades and start points come from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation’s trail pages and its 2026 nature trails map, checked 2026-10-09. Trails can close temporarily for maintenance or fire risk; check current notices before you go.

Visit Cyprus: nature trails ↗Visit Cyprus: 2026 nature trails map (PDF) ↗Visit Cyprus: hiking in Cyprus ↗