Cyprus: Nature highlights - Part 3

Walking through the trail you will see plants like golden oak, wild garlic, three colours camomile, dwarf shrub, Cyprus germander and valandia. The main species of fauna found in the area are fox, hare and hedgehog. Also you may notice endemic birds like Cyprus warbler and Cyprus wheatear, reptiles like Cyprus viper, lizards, Cyprus chameleon, black whip snake.

ARTEMIS

Starting point from Chionistra and ending point at Troodos near Prodromos. The length is 7km ans it takes about 3 hours.

The trail passes through the black pine forest, you will also encounter rare species of flora and rock formations of the area. You can find two ancient black pine trees , that are around 500 years old, they accompanied by signs with information. Of historic interest are ‘’the teisha tis palaias choras’’, ruins of makeshift fortifications built in the last years of the venetian occupation of Cyprus (1571 AD) by a group Venetian generals attempting to defend themselves against the Ottomans. The route circles around the top of the mount Olympus (Chionistra) at an attitude of 1850m, offering an excellent view in all directions.

The trail is located within the Troodos national forest park and you will find the Environmental Centre for the Troodos National Forest part at a distance of 2.2km from the trail.

The endemic plants found on this area Cyprus skullcap , Cyprus jurinea, Spurge, Cyprus germander, chamomile, pondikangathos etc
The main species of fauna found in this area are fox, hedgehog, bonellis eagle, eurasean jay, wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus wabler, Cyprus wheatear ans reptiles like Cyprus viper and snake.

PERSEPHONE

Starting point for this route is 150m south of Troodos square, in the direction of the police station. The length is 3km, and takes about 1 hour to walk.

Along the route there is lush vegetation, for the first 2km of the route you will pass through the dense black pine forest. The ending point at Makria Kontarka offers a stunning view. The trail is located within the Troodos National forest park and it is part of the European E4 path. The Kampos tou Livadiou picnic area is located 2km from Troodos square in the direction of Karvounas and at a distance of 2. 5km you will find the Armurolivado and livadi tou Pashia picnic sites. The path is linear and you can be picked up by Car at the point where the path intersects with the existing forest road or can return on foot by following the same path, or by following the Psilo dentro –Pouziaris path, that intersects with the Persephone path.

To be continued at part 4