Our walk of Saturday 3 October 2026 kicks off season number 25 and takes place at the Troodos forest area. 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. Troodos is also a rare geological phenomenon.
For the 1st time in the club’s 12-years history we shall walk 2 very popular trails, in succession. We start with the Artemis circle, which will take up ~2 hours. Then we drive to the start of Kampos Livadiou circle, a one-hour hike, 3 km long. Hiking Artemis starts at 9:30 am. Xenophon is leading this outing, which will go ahead even in light rain; if you need to, call 97613720.
The Artemis trail is a popular circular trail at an altitude of 1850 m. This makes it the highest trail on the island. The walk is classified easy to medium for difficulty (1 ½, on a scale 1 to 3). We follow well marked paths. The total distance is 7 km. The walk offers some of the most spectacular views Cyprus has to offer, at several places.
At the conclusion of the Artemis circle, we drive to the start of Kampos Livadiou circle, a drive on the road connecting Troodos square with Kakopetria, which will require ~15 min. The entire Kampos Livadiou trail lies in a well-forested area, with the typical Troodos vegetation and offers some splendid views. Altitude is around 1650 m. Degree of difficulty is 1 (easy).
We shall follow the 2nd walk with a served meze lunch at the restaurant of our choice in Kakopetria village. If you are returning to Nicosia, this is on your way back. To participants from Limassol, thank you for accepting the 20-min drive from Troodos to Kakopetria, for the lunch treat. Your return to Limassol after lunch will be via Karvounas, Amiantos, Saittas. Participants registered for lunch will receive full details via e-mail the day before.
To provide you with maximum comfort, 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 e-mail Xenophon by end Thursday, indicating whether you will be joining us for lunch or not.
You have the choice of meeting the group at the 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 the very large church named tis Theou Sophias (also referred to as Agia Sophia) in Strovolos, which offers ample parking space on its side street. The car trip starts at 8:00 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. Up on Troodos, follow the directions towards Hionistra, avoiding Troodos square, and driving towards the village of Prodromos. Two km down the road to Prodromos, observe the turning to the left, signposted to Olympos. About 400 metres on the climb to Hionistra, you will observe the starting point for the Artemis trail on your left, carrying the usual wooden signage. Park your car on the side. We meet here.
How to get from Limassol to the 1st walk start:
Take the main road towards Trimiklini, then Saittas. 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. Continue straight to Platres. At the junction of Psilo Dendro (taverna and trout farm on your right) (this is the starting point to Caledonian waterfall) zero your odometer and continue straight, towards Troodos. At the 2.1 km reading you pass a junction with a left turn leading to Trooditissa monastery; continue straight towards Troodos. At the 7.4 km reading you arrive at Troodos square; turn left, into the square, and drive along the cobbled road through the square; at the exit from the square (at the 7.5 km reading), you reach a T-junction. Turn left, towards Prodromos. Two km down the road to Prodromos, observe the turning to the left, signposted to Hionistra. About 400 metres on the climb to Hionistra, you will observe the starting point for the Artemis trail on your left, carrying the usual wooden signage. Park your car on the side. We meet here.
How to get to the 2nd walk start, from the 1st walk finish:
Drive back the way you came. After 400 m you reach a T-junction; this is the main road connecting Troodos square with Prodromos village; turn right and drive towards Troodos square. From Troodos square turn left, in the direction of Nicosia. After 1.8 km drive carefully, looking out for the road sign marking the Kampos tou Livadiou picnic site and hikes, on your left. Turn left onto the secondary road and drive along for ~25 m, up to a sign indicating a nature trail on your left. Park your car. 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 turn left. At the 0.3 km reading you see Lidl supermarket on your right. At the 0.8 km reading you reach traffic lights. Turn left into Elaionon street. Immediately after you observe the very large church of tis Theou Sophias, with its green dome, on your right. Just past the church (1.0 km reading) take the first turning to the right into Kastellas street. This side street offers ample parking space. Park here.
Google Maps: Here is a map taking you from the junction between Cineplex and Apolloneion Hospital to the church of tis Theou Sophias http://tinyurl.com/ll9fefj
Google Maps: Here is a map taking you from the Presidential Palace to the church of tis Theou Sophias https://tinyurl.com/ybnc84q7
Google Maps: Here is a map taking you from Troodos square to the 1st walk start http://tinyurl.com/pz9rjey
About Artemis: Artemis, in Greek mythology, was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and twin sister of god Apollon. Artemis was the goddess of hunting and wild nature. She was often depicted carrying a bow and arrows. Artemis embodied the sportsman’s ideal, so besides killing game she also protected it, especially the young; this was the Homeric significance of the title Mistress of Animals. Her Roman equivalent is Diana.
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.
The Cyprus Strollers 