Our excursion of Saturday 18 Nov. 2017 takes us to the hills above Germasogeia dam, in Limassol. The hike is on a narrow trail, with little natural shade, rising from altitude 300 m to 690 m. It follows ridges, and goes beside a stream, which is usually dry, for 1 km. It is mostly linear, but with 3 km of circular trail at the top. Participants will enjoy excellent views of ravines, Germasogeia dam and distant Limassol. There is no drinking water anywhere on the route, so bring plenty.

The hike is 10 km long, will take up about 3 1/2 hours, and is rated grade 3 (difficult). Hiking poles are strongly advised. The hike starts at 11:00 am. Ian is leading the hike, which will go ahead even in light rain; if you need to, call 96852722.

There are signs along the trail, but please stay together, keeping the leader in view. If for some reason you lose the group, please note that at a certain point near the summit the trail divides, where you must turn left, to circle the summit clockwise. After passing the summit (easily seen as it has a picnic shelter), 1 km further on, there will be a crossroads: turn right towards Limassol to get back to the cars.

At the conclusion of the hike we shall go for lunch at a taverna in Foinikaria village. 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. Starting point, for those wishing to share car spaces is the Handicrafts Centre on Athalassas Avenue in Nicosia. Departure time is 9:45 am.

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

Zero your odometer as you depart from the Handicrafts Centre. Drive along the Nicosia-Limassol motorway (A1), heading towards Limassol. At the 15.8 km reading the motorway splits in two: do not go left (towards Larnaca), bear right, towards Limassol. At 71.6 km, junction 24, zero your odometer and leave the motorway, heading right to go N along Germasogeia valley. Continue to 5.2 km, where turn right to cross top of dam towards the village of Foinikaria. Before entering the village, at 7.8 km turn left at sign for Germasogeia nature trail (marked as Papastilianou street). Continue to 9.8 km, turn left where there is a road sign for “dead end”, and a wooden sign says “Calabria”, to Kyparissovounou street. After 0.3 km a very rough track joins from the left. This is the start of the walk, marked by a very faded, small sign on a short post. Park your car. We meet here. The start of the walk, for those with SatNav, is at 34.761806, 33.106894.

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://tiny-url.org/RWPji5wr

Google Maps: Here is a map for those coming from the Presidential Palace area to the meeting place for the car trip http://tiny-url.org/hvLSn8Nw

Note: The walk leader acknowledges the contribution of Debra and Jackie in finding, researching, confirming and writing up this trail.

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.