The Cyprus Strollers are proud to be announcing their second ever hike in Paphos district. The hike of Saturday 21^st April 2018 takes place in the Natura 2000 Ezousa valley in Episkopi village, Paphos. The trail we take will be linear following the course of the Ezousa river and is approximately 8.5 km long. The trail is of moderate difficulty i.e. 2, due to the final uphill return (the rest of the trail is level 1) and of approximately 3 hours duration.

Jackie is leading this outing, which starts at 11:15 am, and will go ahead even in light rain; if you need to, call 99315380. The trail starts at the Episkopi Environmental Centre in the old school house, which is well worth a visit. It is the best on the island and has an excellent exhibition detailing the geology, flora and fauna of this protected site. Andreas, who is in charge, is available to give a short guided tour in English or Greek. There is also a 20 minute film in both languages should you prefer this. The walk leader suggests arriving half an hour before the hike to take up this opportunity.

The trail skirts the village and then goes onto farm tracks following the E4. The views of this very beautiful valley are spectacular. Aside from the famous ‘Meteora of Cyprus’, we will see farmland, orchards, expanses of trees, ‘traditional’ goat farms, the deserted Turkish Cypriot village of  Moro Nero and the tiny ruined church of Saint Gennadios, as well as an abandoned water mill, as we reach the bottom of the valley. There is little shade and it would be good to bring water.

At the end of the walk, we will drive to the next village, Nata, in convoy and sit down for lunch at a local taverna. There is easy access from here to the motorway for your return trip. To facilitate arrangements, for your better service, you are required to pre-register, if you are joining us for lunch. To do so, please sms the walk leader or e-mail Xenophon by end Thursday. No need to register if you are not dining.

You have the choice of meeting the group at the hike 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 Handicrafts Centre (Kentro Heirotechnias) on Leoforos Athalassas (Athalassa Avenue), which offers ample parking space. The car trip starts at 9:30 am. Please ensure you observe start times, for the benefit of the group.

How to get to the walk start, coming from Nicosia or Limassol:

Take the motorway (A1) from Nicosia to Limassol and continue on the motorway (A6) from Limassol to Paphos. At the end of the motorway (the roundabout), zero your odometer at the first set of traffic lights here, taking the right-hand lane. Turn right and take the first exit, following the E710 signposted to Konia, Minthis Hills and Episkopi Environmental Centre. Drive for 10.7 km, when you will see the Environmental Centre on your left. Park here for the start of the walk.

How to get to the meeting point for the car trip, coming from the Hilton hotel area:

Get yourself on Makarios Avenue, heading out of town and set your odometer to zero as you drive past the Nicosia Hilton hotel. At the 0.1 km reading you reach traffic lights (with the Apoel club building on your right), go straight. At the 0.5 km reading you reach another set of traffic lights, go straight. Driving along, you pass a few more traffic lights, staying on this main road (named Leoforos Lemesou/ Limassol Avenue). At the 2.1 km reading, you reach a principal set of traffic lights. Set your odometer to zero again and turn right here. You are now in Leoforos Athalassas, a very busy avenue. At the 0.2 km reading you see a large empty space on your right and the Handicrafts Centre (a single-storey building) on your left. Park in the parking area. We meet here. The Handicrafts Centre is next to the church of St. Barnabas.

How to get to the meeting point for the car trip, coming from the Presidential Palace area:

Get to the round-about next to the Presidential Palace. From downtown Nicosia you reach this along the Kyriakou Matsi avenue or along the D. Severi avenue. Set your odometer to zero on the round-about and drive along the principal road towards Strovolos. At the 0.3 km reading you reach traffic lights. Go straight. At the 0.6 km reading you reach a 2nd set of traffic lights. Set your odometer to zero again and turn left. You are now in Leoforos Athalassas, a very busy avenue full of shops. At the 2.6 km reading you see a large empty space on your left and the Handicrafts Centre (a single-storey building) on your right. Park here.

Google Maps: Here is a map for those coming from the Hilton area to the meeting place for the car trip http://tinyurl.com/phjc6s7

Google Maps: Here is a map for those coming from the Presidential Palace area to the meeting place for the car trip http://tinyurl.com/neo9duy

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.