Akamas Nature Trails
Located in the Akamas Peninsula there are three official nature trails: the Adonis Trail, the Aphrodite Trail, and the Smigies Trail. Interwoven with rocky hiking trails, these three nature trails offer people walking through them stunning views of various sized gorges and valleys, amazing rock formations, the curved coastline, cliffs, and intriguingly shaped boulders.
Akamas is famed for its breathtaking beauty and precious ecology.
Starting point: Baths of Aphrodite. The section between the Baths and Pyrgos tis Rigainas (the Castle of Regina – Queen’s Tower) is shared with the Adonis trail. The trail follows a rising path to the hill known as Moutti tis Sotiras (370m) and this can be quite tiring, especially in summer. There are springs with drinking water at two points, one at Pyrgos tis Rigainas (the Castle of Regina) and the other at Kefalovrisia. Length: 7.5 km – Duration: 3 hours – Degree of difficulty: 2
Points of interest: The baths of Aphrodite where, according to tradition, the Goddess of Love used to bathe. Ruins of the Pyrgos tis Rigainas (Queen’s Tower), which are believed to have belonged to a medieval monastery. It is worth mentioning the huge centuries-old oak tree which can be seen at the picnic site, where drinking water is also available. Along the trail there are several points which give a view of Polis Chrysochous and the Pafos Forest. Along the route, there are two potable water fountains, one near the ruins of Pyrgos tis Rigainas (Queen’s Tower) and one between location of the Loutra and Kakoskali. The trail links with Adonis trail.
Starting point: Baths of Aphrodite. Like Aphrodite Trail, the walk can be quite tiring. Two springs of drinking water can be found at Pyrgos tis Rigainas and Kefalovrysia. Length: 7.5 km – Duration: 3 hours – Degree of difficulty: 3
Points of interest: From the western part there is a view of various beaches of Akamas, such as Lara Bay, Tzioni, Karavopetres, etc. The path goes past Pyrgos tis Rigainas (Queens Tower). At Kefalovrysia location it links up with Smiges trail. In order to complete its circular path the trail follows the main road connecting the Baths of Aphrodite and Polis, for about 400m.
Starting point: Smigies picnic site, 2.5 km from Neo Chorio Length: (a) short route 2.5 km Time: (a) short route 1 hour Length: (b) long route 5 km Time: (b) long route 2 hours Degree of difficulty: 2
Points of interest: View to the east of Polis Chrysochous Bay, Latsi, Pachyammos and Pafos Forest, and to the west Lara Bay, Tzioni, Karavopetres, etc. The long route goes past the disused magnesium mines which include a deserted kiln and then through a dense part of Akamas forest. The long rout links up with Adonis trail at the location Kefalovrysia (potable water fountain location). At their starting point both trails pass by Piana fire lookout station.
Information courtesy of Choose Your Cyprus.
