The January – May 2016 season came to a sentimental finale on Sunday 29/5; the buffet lunch at Troodos hotel evolved into a party, when Gerard and Patty brought the cake to celebrate the conclusion of 2 years of activities by the Cyprus Strollers. In his speech, Xenophon highlighted the importance of every member’s contribution, when you bring along your positive disposition and eagerness to give and get at every hike, thereby turning hiking with the Cyprus Strollers into much more than an exercise; members hike with us for the multicultural character of the club, the quality and richness of conversations, as well as our good humour and cheer, particularly at the table. Xenophon thanked all walk leaders of the season present and called on everybody to take initiative and arrange social gatherings to keep us closer, over the 4-months summer recess. Special thanks to Gerard and Patty for arranging the birthday celebration. Compliments to George for leading the hike on Atalanti trail, and to George, Koula and Alex for the photos.
Tag Archives: Hiking
A Jolly Good Hike: Platres 22 May
With the weather on our side, a large group of Strollers in high spirits took the challenge of the climb from Platres to Troodos, all along the Kryos Potamos river, and the return on the slopes of Pouziaris, in a circular trail expertly led by Lowell. Rewards were plentiful: the Caledonian waterfall; the dense foliage of black pine, golden oak and other trees; the murmur of river water flowing; magic views to Platres, other villages, Kourris dam, Akrotiri salt lake and as far south as Limassol coast; and a buffet lunch at Troodos hotel. Compliments to Lowell for leading the hike, to Gerard for carrying cooled water melon, which he generously offered to participants on toothpicks, and to Teresa and Christine for the photos. Join us on 29 May on Troodos, for the final excursion of this season.
Hot weather 2 hikes, Refreshing river crossing and picnic: Amiantos 14 May
Temperatures were higher than desired, and there were no clouds. Despite this, turnout was very good on Saturday 14 May for the 2 hikes in the Amiantos area of Troodos. Strollers enjoyed the descent to the river bed, walk along the river and the picnic at Loumata ton Aeton. Join us on 22 May at Platres.
Perfect weather – Optimal performance: Madari Grand Circle 8 May
A large, committed group of Strollers accepted the challenge of the hardest hike of the year on Sunday 8 May. The perfect weather conditions – cool, cloudy, with a brief spell of rain – helped our performance and we completed the Grand Circle of Madari in record time. Rewards were plentiful: beautiful orchids, a carpet of moss, magnificent forest of cedars, golden oaks and pines and amazing views to Kyperounda village below, Madari summit Watch Station and more. Compliments to Christos for leading this excursion and to Christine and George for the photos. Join us on 14 May on Amiantos.
Strollers So Strong – Fikardou-Mahairas hike 23 April
A large group of Strollers tackled the difficult hike from Fikardou through Lazanias to Mahairas monastery and back, in style. The rewards were plentiful: a feast of rock rose flowers, both pink and white, side by side at several places; the mesmerizing scent of pink rose flowers on a wild rose bush in Lazanias; sage and other flowers; almond trees bearing fruit; a choir of male frogs declaring their virility; the inspiring visit to Mahairas monastery, luckily at a time of prayer by monks in church. The outing was capped by a delicious, rich meal served at Agios Georgios taverna in Gourri, where several toasts were raised for George and George among us, given that 23 April is the day we celebrate Saint George. Compliments to Christine for the photos.
The club wishes all its members a Happy Easter on May 1.
Join us on 8 May, when we hike the Grand Circle of Madari.
2 Charming Trails: Gerakies slopes and Moutoullas orchards, 17 April
A large and cheerful group of Strollers participated in the club’s single annual visit to Marathasa valley. The first hike took place on the hills of Gerakies, through its vineyards. The second was in the orchards of Moutoullas, down to its streams with crystal clear waters. Compliments to Alex for leading this excursion and to Teresa, Christine and George for the photos. Join us on Mahairas mountains on 23 April.
1 minus X 1 minus = 1 big positive: Kourdali hike 9 April
Mathematics were applied to hiking on Saturday 9 April, in the outing at Kourdali and Adelphi forest. The formula -1 X -1 = +1 was verified, when two errors, a wrong starting point, and a wrong trail delivered a big positive, and turned a linear into a circular hike. Errors came about from the recent creation of a second hike, not far from the one intended. This misled the walk leader and took the group of Strollers up the new trail (only 700 m long); the errors were corrected when the group showed an excellent camaraderie, kept a cheerful attitude, and the walk leader succeeded in his selection of dirt roads, which connected with the intended destination. Thus, Strollers reached the guerilla fighters hideouts, and returned by the intended trail, consequently converting a linear hike into a more exciting, albeit longer, circular route.
The walk leader apologizes to participant Strollers for these errors. The walk leader apologizes also to those Strollers who had reached the correct starting point, because they had counted km correctly, as per instructions.
If you are one who feels that surprises like this one put more spice into the outings of the Cyprus Strollers, like participant Strollers felt at Kourdali, then join us at Gerakies on 17 April.
All time record attendance – Konnos-Cape Greco hike 3 April
There was a record attendance for the seaside hike of Sunday 3 April at Konnos-Cape Greco. The Cyprus Strollers welcomed many newcomers, once more. Despite the temperature (~25 degrees) and the absence of clouds, in an area of low vegetation, Strollers completed the hike in good spirit, and enjoyed the picnic that followed. Compliments to George for leading this outing, for his generous offer of fruit during stops, and for the photos. Join us on 9 April at Adelphi forest.
Youthful Strollers, Spirited Handling of Tough Hike: Platania-Doxa si o Theos, 26 March
There was a great turnout of Strollers, which included a cheerful group of university students, on Saturday 26 March. The hike from Platania to Doxa si o Theos was strenuous, but participants tackled it with the best of attitudes. Compliments to Laurent for leading this outing and to Koula for the photos. Join us on 3 April at Konnos bay.
Two Summits and Beyond – Mahairas 20 March
A large and varied group of Strollers, of all ages and from 10 different nationalities gathered on Sunday 20 March; hiking involved the visit to a cave and the conquering of two summits, offering rare 360 degree views, on the south slopes of Mahairas; our accomplishment went well beyond, and peaked with a gourmet picnic, the epitomy of generosity of so many Strollers. Compliments to Alex, Koula, Marina and Gerard for the photos. Join us at Platania on 26 March.



















































