Our hike of Saturday 3 February 2018 takes place in the surroundings of the village of Palekhori. The trail we follow is linear, named Appis, at an altitude around 1000 m and is 13 km long (6.5 km each way). Duration is 3 ½ hours and degree of difficulty 2.

The trail goes along mountain slopes and offers little shade. Vegetation consists mainly of pine trees and bushes. On our way we expect to admire some long views to the villages of Farmakas and Gourri, the dam of Palekhori and the bay of Morphou.

The walk starts at 10:45 am. Stalo is leading this walk, which will go ahead even in light rain; if you need to, call Xenophon on 97613720.

At the end of the walk we shall sit down for lunch at a taverna in the area. We shall drive there in a convoy. To facilitate arrangements, for your better service, you are required to pre-register, if you are joining us for lunch. To do so, please 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 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 9:45 am. Please ensure you observe start times, for the benefit of the group.

How to get to the walk start:

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 continue straight ahead (on the principal road towards Troodos). At the 0.5 km reading you come to traffic lights, go straight. At the 3.0 km reading you leave the main road, taking the side road on your left, named E903 and signposted to Palekhori.  At the 3.3 km reading you get to a roundabout; take the first exit to the left, signposted to Palekhori. Drive along this main road for many km, until you approach the village of Palekhori. About 1 km before you enter Palekhori, look out on your left for the sports grounds of the local football club, Apop. At that spot, leave the main road and take a right turn into a side road. A few hundred metres along this road, you will observe the start of the Appis trail, on your right. Park your car on the side. We meet here. Note, if you have reached the village police station on your left, you have gone too far, so you need to turn back.

How to get from Limassol to the 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. 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 go straight, downhill (this takes you to Kakopetria). Do not turn left (this takes you to Troodos square). Turn right, signposted to Pitsilia region. Drive through and out of the villages of Kyperounda, Handria and Agros. The next village you pass is Palekhori. About 1 km after you exit Palekhori, look out on your right for the sports grounds of the local football club, Apop. At that spot, leave the main road and take a left turn into a side road. A few hundred metres along this road, you will observe the start of the Appis trail, on your right. Park your car on the side. We meet here. Note, if you have reached the village police station on your left, you have gone too far, so you need to turn back.

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: http://tinyurl.com/ndnr6uo

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.