Tag Archives: Hiking

Strollers with Sense and Sensibility – Pitsilia Hike 2 April

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A small group of Strollers displayed exemplary sense and sensibility on Saturday 2 April concerning the picturesque hike from Stavros Agiasmati to Panagia Araka. Defying the forecast of rain, and comfortable with the driving instructions, we were all appropriately prepared and copiously rewarded, since rain fell in Nicosia and Limassol, but there was not a drop on our path; proof of the general rule that luck is on the side of those who dare. Among the delights of the outing we had several instances of flowering orchids, Arabis purpurea, asphodels, milk vetch and almond trees; carpets of vivid green mosses and masses of tiny yellow-blue wild peas. There were also amazing vistas; at every turn the views changed; sometimes we were looking at sheer rocks, sometimes thick forest, then the distant bay of Morphou, the majestic Madari mountains and the villages of Platanistasa, Alona on the left, Lagoudera and Saranti on the right, nestling below the peaks. The meal at Fountoukia taverna was a well-deserved treat, with delicious and seemingly endless meze dishes, their potato chips which rank among the best on the island, and creamy sweets to finish off an unforgettable day. Compliments to Mary for contributing to this write-up and to Marios for the photos. Join us on 8 April at Mahairas https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/mahairas-south-slopes-two-hikes-sat-8-april/

Mahairas Mountains in all their Springtime Glory: Prophitis Elias Hike – 25 March

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We set off from the abandoned, wistful-looking monastery climbing up along the winding ridge towards Kionia, through a riot of wild flowers and panoramic views. The clear day presented us with beautiful open vistas of pine covered slopes, angular rock formations and distant views of the sea. The higher we climbed, the more impressive became the jagged rocks with their clumps of delicate, purple Arabis Purpurea flowers, known by the more romantic name of Tears of Jesus’s Mother. During our hike we moved from bright sunlight to dappled shade, from Golden Oaks glistening in the sun, to the stillness of the forest where tall pines spread their aromatic scent and whispered in the gentle breeze. The last couple of kilometers downhill were more challenging but we eventually sat down to a veritable feast at Steki tou Marinou to enjoy home-cooked starters, delicious vegetables and fish and, more importantly, very convivial company. The red wine flowed and Xenophon called upon a number of the group to say a few words to capture the highlights of the day. All Strollers cheered Ian, our very capable leader on this rather tough, yet most enjoyable hike. Compliments to Mary for this write-up and to Christine, Marios and Patrick for the photos. Join us on 2 April on Pitsilia https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/pitsilia-stavros-tou-agiasmati-panagia-tou-araka-linear-trail-sunday-2-april/.

Multicolour Experience – Cape Greco 19 March

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The two hikes at Cape Greco on Sunday 19 March offered the large group of Strollers a multicolour experience. Many flowers had put on their best, to welcome our well-timed visit: yellow and white anemones, yellow mimosas, white sea squills, yellow wild mustard, white wild garlic, purple rosemary and irises. On top of this, we enjoyed the turquoise sea, all along the trails. Compliments to George for leading this excursion and to Michael and Kate for the photos. Join us on 25 March at Prophitis Elias https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/prophitis-elias-kionia-hike-sat-25-march/.

Strollers on Snow – 5 March

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Perhaps the hike of Sunday 5 March was the one which generated the broadest range of sentiments, in the history of the Cyprus Strollers. A very large group took the challenge of Atalanti on Troodos, hiking for long on snow, and courageously concluded the 9 km trail up to the exit to the paved road. Sentiments varied from the excitement of the snow-covered land, and the rare views, to the tension of coping with the slippery path. No one could have summed up the event better than Pamela, who put this in writing: ‘it was a true survival trip but hasn’t put me off of any further hikes; you are all a great club, thank you’. Compliments to George for leading the excursion, and to Teresa, Christine and Marios for the photos. Join us on 11 March at Kato Drys  https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kato-drys-hike-sat-11-march/

crocus, defiant of snow

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Galata’s Unique Cultural Stroll – 25 Feb.

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The outing of Saturday 25 February offered a unique combination of stroll and culture; we visited seven churches in Galata, dating to the 1st half of the 16th century, when Cyprus was occupied by the Venetians; we also visited the church in Old Kakopetria, from the same period. Importantly, we succeeded in admiring the treasures inside five of these churches. Participants further benefited from a splendid weather, the rich vegetation, walking along the river and from Yiannis’ story telling, by the big rock in Kakopetria. Join us on 5 March at Atalanti https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-atalanti-walk-sunday-5-march/

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Pipis Hills Came Alive with the Sound of Strollers – 19 Feb.

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It was a softly sunny day when Pipis hills, not among the list of most visited hiking destinations in Cyprus, came alive with the sound of a harmonious group of Strollers, on Sunday 19 February. The slopes were dressed in the yellow colour of flowers, while the pine trees provided an air of freshness. Participants were richly rewarded with the long views and at lunch in Kokkinou taverna. Compliments to Angelos, who graciously led the club at short notice, and to George, Panny and Nicos for the photos. Join us on 25 Feb. at Galata https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/galata-kakopetria-cultural-stroll-sat-25-feb/

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Many Merits of Merikas – 11 Feb.

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There was a very large turnout for the 1st visit of The Cyprus Strollers near the village of Kalo Chorio Klirou on Saturday 11 February. Participants defied the weather forecasts and were rewarded in many ways: a cloudy sky, without rain; a beautiful hike along Merikas, with the river flowing nearby for much of the way; the budding leaves of Mediterranean Hawthorn; the violet flowers of grape hyacinth; impressive ophiolite rock formations. Compliments to Laurent for leading the club, and to Christine and Dina for the photos. Join us on 19 Feb. at Pipis  https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/pipis-hills-hike-19-feb/

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budding leaves

budding leaves

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Unforgettable Delikipos – 5 Feb.

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Strollers know better than anybody that what goes up, comes back down again; what starts, has an end; people come and people go. The hike at Delikipos on Sunday 5 February was a delicious outing, in which the club welcomed once more new members, and also bid farewell to Laura, who leaves Cyprus for her next career challenge. Hiking took place in perfect weather, there were a record eight dogs, the landscape was beautiful, and the taverna meal an experience not easily found. Compliments to Koula, Christine and Teresa for the photos. Join us on 11 Feb. at Merikas  https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kalo-chorio-klirou-merikas-trail-sat-11-feb/

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pigeon nest boxes/pezounarko

pigeon nest boxes/pezounarko

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Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary – Rizoelia Park 29 Jan.

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Are The Cyprus Strollers the club that can turn ordinary hikes into extraordinary experiences? The very large group of participants, including 45 new members, at the Rizoelia park stroll on Sunday 29 January may offer their answer, concerning an easy hike that promised little, ‘on paper’. Strollers enjoyed the moderate weather, the gypsum deposits, the two species of rare and protected plants (Campanula fastigiata and Gypsophila linearifolia), the first anemones which dared flower, the unexpected visit to a small church, the long views to Larnaca Salt Lake, and the fish feast at the end. Furthermore, an experience not-to-be-missed was the surprise recital Yiannis offered, on mandrake. Compliments to Marios, Christine and Teresa for the photos. Join us on 5 Feb. at Delikipos, where we shall bid goodbye to Laura https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/delikipos-hike-sunday-5-feb/

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mandrake (belladonna)/mandragoras

mandrake (belladonna)/mandragoras

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Lots of New Strollers at Platania 21 Jan.

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The club welcomed lots of new and young participants at Platania on Saturday 21 January. The sky was cloudy, but clear, and helped us enjoy the views to the snow covered slopes of Troodos. Compliments to Christine, Teresa and Koula for the photos. Join us on 29 Jan. at Aradipou https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/larnaca-rizoelia-park-walk-sunday-29-jan/

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Pointing at burnt forest

Pointing at burnt forest

Snacks arouse interest of 2- and 4-legged Strollers

Snacks arouse interest of 2- and 4-legged Strollers

Glasses raised

Glasses raised