Update: the plan is to proceed to lunch after the hike, in a choice restaurant in the area. Kindly confirm if dining or not, when registering. Please remember lunch payment is only in cash. Participants registered for lunch will receive further details via e-mail. Note also, we turn the clocks 1 hour back Saturday to Sunday.
Our excursion of Sunday 31 October 2021 takes place at Troodos forest, and involves two hikes in the Amiantos area, each offering distinct and different thrills. The 1st hike starts at 11:00 am. Antonis is leading this double outing, which will go ahead even in light rain; if you need to, call 97803728.
The 1st hike, named Hrysovrysi is linear, takes place outside the village of Kato Amiantos, and takes us near Pano Amiantos, in the vicinity of the old mine and back. The hike is rated 3 for difficulty, on a scale from 1 easy to 3 difficult. Even though the total distance to cover is only about 3 km (1500 m. each way), and the time required is under 90 minutes, the trail involves a steady steep uphill on the way out, and a corresponding strenuous downhill on the way back. The hike starts at an altitude of 1050 m and climbs up to 1315 m. Notwithstanding the above, this is a beautiful trail, abundant with trees and bushes.
The 2nd hike is estimated to start at 12:30 hrs approximately and the start point is a distance of 2.3 km from the start of Hrysovrysi. The 2nd hike is named Loumata ton Aeton, which means the location where eagles used to bathe. This hike is perfect for river romantics, since it takes us down to the river bed, which we follow for a large part of the trail; further, it involves crossing the river stepping on stones at several points. The river flows all year round, and you should not attempt to cross it in winter, when the water level is high. The 2nd hike is also linear, expected to take under 2 hours, and degree of difficulty is 2 (medium). The intention is to allow time near the end of the return leg, to admire and play by the river.
You have the choice of skipping the 1st hike, and joining us at the start of the 2nd hike. Only in this case, please make sure you find yourself at the start of Loumata Aeton in good time: it is better to be there ahead of the Strollers taking part in the 1st hike, than be late.
Depending on the government restrictions on the day, we shall follow the walk with a served lunch or a picnic. Kindly visit this page in the week prior to the activity for updated news. In the case of lunch, this will take place at a restaurant of our choice in the area.
To provide you with maximum safety vis-à-vis covid-19, and in order to have maximum traceability, we require every participant to register, irrespective of your participation at lunch or not. To facilitate arrangements, for your better service, you are required to sms the walk leader or e-mail Xenophon by end Friday, indicating whether you will be joining us for lunch or not.
Meeting: You have the choice of meeting the group at the 1st walk start, or meet at the designated meeting point in Nicosia. In either case, you need to carry copy of this set of instructions. Meeting in Nicosia offers two important advantages: we drive in full cars, leaving some cars behind; thus, we save in fuel and enjoy the trip in good company. The meeting point in Nicosia is an open field which offers ample parking space in Archangelos. The car trip starts at 9:45 am. Please ensure you observe start times, for the benefit of the group.
How to get to the 1st walk start:
From Nicosia take the A9 motorway towards Troodos. The A9 smoothly becomes the B9 highway towards Troodos, when the motorway ends, near Kokkinotrimithia. On the B9 you drive past the villages of Akaki, then Peristerona and then you reach the village of Astromeritis. At the Astromeritis traffic lights, where most cars turn left towards Troodos, zero your odometer and turn left. Drive along the main road. After 25 km you pass the village of Kakopetria. Continue to drive along the main road, in the direction of Troodos. At the 33 km reading, you reach a crossroads (no traffic lights), named Karvounas. Do not turn left (this takes you to Kyperounda village and Madari mountain). Do not turn right (this takes you to the Amiantos Botanical Garden and then Troodos square). Go straight, downhill. Exactly 1.7 km downhill after the crossroads, you reach the walk start, on your right; there is a wooden sign named ‘Hrysovrysi’ and space for several cars. Park your car. We meet here.
How to get to the walk start coming from Limassol (via Karvounas):
Take the main road towards Trimiklini, then Saittas (exit number 28 on the Limassol-Nicosia motorway). Get to the principal junction at Saittas, where you have the options of going straight to Platres or left to Pera Pedi, or right to Amiantos. Zero your odometer and turn right. At the 9.2 km reading you reach the walk start, on your left; there is a wooden sign named ‘Hrysovrysi’ and space for several cars. Park your car. We meet here. In case you have missed it, at the 10.9 km reading you reach the principal junction of Karvounas (note, no traffic lights); turn back and drive downhill for a further 1.7 km.
How to get to the 2nd walk start:
From Nicosia take the A9 motorway towards Troodos. The A9 smoothly becomes the B9 highway towards Troodos, when the motorway ends, near Kokkinotrimithia. On the B9 you drive past the villages of Akaki, then Peristerona and then you reach the village of Astromeritis. At the Astromeritis traffic lights, where most cars turn left towards Troodos, zero your odometer and turn left. Drive along the main road. After 25 km you pass the village of Kakopetria. Continue to drive along the main road, in the direction of Troodos. At the 33 km reading, you reach a crossroads (no traffic lights), named Karvounas. Do not turn left (this takes you to Kyperounda village and Madari mountain). Do not turn right (this takes you to the Amiantos Botanical Garden and then Troodos square). Zero your odometer and go straight, downhill. Exactly 2.7 km downhill after the Karvounas crossroads, you pass a statue on your right, immediately after you pass a bridge, and you turn right (at the 2.8 km reading), following a sign in Greek ‘Αναπαυτήρια ΣΕΚ’. Drive uphill on this side road for the next 500 m; at the 3.3 km reading you reach a junction: do not continue straight; turn right, following again a sign in Greek ‘Αναπαυτήρια ΣΕΚ’. At the 4.0 km reading you reach the start of the trail, noted with a usual wooden sign on your right. Park your car on the side. We meet here.
How to get to the 2nd walk start, starting from the 1st walk finish:
Zero your odometer and drive downhill. At the 1 km reading you pass a statue on your right, immediately after you pass a bridge, and you turn right (at the 1.1 km reading), following a sign in Greek ‘Αναπαυτήρια ΣΕΚ’. Drive uphill on this side road for the next 500 m; at the 1.6 km reading you reach a junction: do not continue straight; turn right, following again a sign in Greek ‘Αναπαυτήρια ΣΕΚ’. At the 2.3 km reading you reach the start of the trail, noted with a usual wooden sign on your right. Park your car on the side. We meet here.
How to get to the meeting point for the car trip:
From Nicosia get to the junction between Cineplex and Apolloneion Hospital. At the traffic lights where you have the Cineplex on your left hand side and Apolloneion Hospital on your right hand side, zero your odometer and go straight, along Archangelos avenue, in the direction of Troodos. At the 0.3 km reading you reach the first traffic lights; turn left into Agiou Alexiou street. At the 0.4 km reading you reach a T-junction; turn right into Agiou Gennadiou street and immediately after you observe on your left an open field used for parking; get onto it and park your car. We meet here. In front of this field there is a violet box for collecting clothes and also a water tank from where people can buy water. For additional parking spaces, while in Agiou Gennadiou street turn first right into a road with a cul-de-sac sign.
Google Maps: Here is a map taking you from the junction between Cineplex and Apolloneion Hospital to the parking field on Agiou Gennadiou street http://tinyurl.com/lg3u78q
Google Maps: Here is a map taking you from the Presidential Palace to the parking field on Agiou Gennadiou street: http://tinyurl.com/k9gabhs
About Amiantos: Amiantos is the Greek name for asbestos. Asbestos has been extracted from the eastern slopes of Troodos from 1904 up to 1988, when the undisputed association of the substance with incidents of cancer put an end to its commercial exploitation. Regrettably, the village of Kato Amiantos, where we start our hike, paid a heavy death toll, during the years of asbestos mining, since many of its inhabitants worked at the mine.
About Troodos: Troodos is the highest mountain of the island, with its highest peak (Hionistra) at 1950 metres altitude. Troodos is covered by a variety of pine trees, junipers, cedars and fir trees, and also presents the majestic golden oak, an endemic species to Cyprus, as well as a rich variety of bushes and wild flowers. Disclaimer: If you attend a Cyprus Strollers walk you do so entirely at your own risk. The Cyprus Strollers is a social club and neither the organizers nor the leader of the walk are responsible for the health and safety of those taking part. If you do not wish to receive further e-mails, reply to this message, stating so.
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