Our walk of Sunday 27 October 2024 takes place in the forest between Kakopetria and Troodos, starting in the area called Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis and will appeal particularly to river lovers. This new hike displays the following 3 key characteristics a) for its larger part it follows the banks of river Clarios, hence its name; we will be enjoying the music from the river flow b) it crosses the river 9 times, stepping on stones c) it is linear, starting on dirt road and a strenuous uphill for the initial 35 minutes of the way out; from then onwards it presents no significant difficulty in terms of up or downhill; the difficulty is related to care needed while crossing the river.

Caution: you are advised to carry an extra pair of socks in your rucksack, to change into in the event that you step into the river while crossing. Similarly, you must have a second pair of shoes in the boot of your car, to change into after the hike. 

Clarios is the only river in Cyprus with continuous flow through the year. We choose to walk it in a period where we expect flow at its lowest, to facilitate crossing the river banks. The area is rich in pine trees, golden oak trees and strawberry trees. This hike is rated 2 ½ for difficulty (on a scale from 1 to 3), duration is close to 4 hours (incl. stops) and distance ~ 11 km return. Do not be deterred by this, since you have the option of walking as much as you choose, taking a rest by the river, and waiting for the group to return.

We start exactly 4 km after the turn onto the road leading towards Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis and Pedoulas, from the Kakopetria-Platania-Karvounas-Troodos main road. The walk starts at 10:00 am. Xenophon is leading this walk, which will go ahead even in light rain; if you need to, call 97613720.

We shall follow the walk with a served meze lunch at the restaurant of our choice in Kakopetria. Registered participants will receive full details via e-mail the day before. To provide you with maximum safety, 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 Friday, 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 an open field which offers ample parking space in Archangelos. The car trip starts at 8:45 am. Please ensure you observe start times, for the benefit of the group.

How to get to the walk start, from Nicosia:

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. After 25 km you pass the entrance to the village of Kakopetria on your left. Zero your odometer and continue to drive along the main road, in the direction of Troodos. At the 1.9 km reading look out for the road sign directing you to ‘Prodromos, via Agios Nicolaos Stegis’. Turn right and drive for another 4 km along this picturesque paved road. At approx. the 5.9 km reading, you observe a fairly large opening to your left, on a right bend of the road. There are hiking and cycling signs at this point; one of the signs carries the name Kannoures. This is where we meet. Kindly park your car, in a way to leave room for other cars joining us. Note, the odd 4X4 pickup vehicle may drive up the dirt road ahead, hence we need to allow access. To make parking easier, participants are strongly advised to come to the meeting point, to drive in full cars, so that we have the smallest number of cars to park at hike start.

How to get to the walk start coming from Limassol:

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 10.9 km reading you reach the principal junction of Karvounas (note, no traffic lights). Do not turn left, which drives uphill towards Troodos square. Do not turn right (this takes you to Kyperounda). Go straight, downhill (towards Kakopetria). A few km further on you reach the area of Platania. Continue straight for approx. another 4 ½ km, until you reach a well-road-signed junction, where you need to zero your odometer and turn left, following signs to ‘Prodromos, via Agios Nicolaos Stegis’. At the 4 km reading, you observe a fairly large opening to your left, on a right bend of the road. There are hiking and cycling signs at this point; one of the signs carries the name Kannoures. This is where we meet. Kindly park your car, in a way to leave room for other cars joining us. Note, the odd 4X4 pickup vehicle may drive up the dirt road ahead. To make parking easier, participants are strongly advised to drive in full cars, so that we have the smallest number of cars to park at hike start.

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: Google Maps: Here is a map taking you from the Presidential Palace to the parking field on Agiou Gennadiou street: http://tinyurl.com/k9gabhs   

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.