For coastal scenery, walk the Akamas (the Aphrodite and Adonis trails are each a three-to-four-hour circuit); for forest at altitude, the Artemis Trail on Mount Olympus; for a short walk with a swim, the Cape Greco trails. Check Visit Cyprus before you go: Avakas Gorge is listed as temporarily closed.
Cyprus hiking is about contrasts: sea-view paths on the Akamas, shaded black-pine forest in the Troodos, and cliff and cove paths at Cape Greco. The lengths, times and difficulty ratings below come from the official Visit Cyprus nature-trail pages, which rate difficulty on their own numbered scale. Check the trail's page before you go, because access can change: Avakas Gorge is listed there as temporarily closed.
Starts at the Baths of Aphrodite and passes the ruins of the Queen's Tower, with views of Cape Arnaoutis, Polis Chrysochous and the Paphos Forest. Two fountains on the route carry non-drinkable water.
Worth it?A full half-day walk rather than a stroll, with the Baths of Aphrodite as its starting point. Carry your own drinking water, since the fountains are not potable.
Skip ifYou want a short walk: it takes three to four hours.
Views of Polis Chrysochous, the Paphos Forest and the Akamas, passing the Queen's Tower and a roughly 500-year-old oak. It joins the Smigies and Aphrodite trails, and the last stretch follows the road back towards the Baths of Aphrodite.
Worth it?The same length and rating as the Aphrodite Trail, so not the easy option. The two connect at the Queen's Tower, which lets you combine them.
A short trail along a dirt road closed to private vehicles, then into a Natura 2000 limestone gorge where the last section runs in the stream, shaded and damp.
Worth it?Short and scenic, but Visit Cyprus lists it as temporarily closed. Check its page for the current status before driving out.
Skip ifThe official page still shows it as closed, or it has rained recently.
Runs through dense forest beside the Cold River, which has running water all year, past the Kalidonia Waterfall to Psilodentro above Pano Platres.
Worth it?Short, but in Visit Cyprus's highest difficulty category, which it describes as for adults with very good to excellent fitness and unsuitable for young children. Shaded, and the river gives it a cooler feel.
Skip ifYou are walking with young children or have limited fitness.
A circuit around the top of Mount Olympus (Chionistra) at about 1,850 metres, through black pine forest, past two black pines around 500 years old and the ruins of Venetian-era fortifications.
Worth it?A forest walk at altitude with the lowest difficulty rating on this list, yet still a circuit of nearly three hours.
Runs downhill to the beach past the site of an ancient temple to Aphrodite and shepherds' caves, then climbs back towards the Visitor Centre, with many viewpoints.
Worth it?The easiest way to see Cape Greco on foot.
Follows the rugged shore through shrubby vegetation to the Cyclops Cave, with views over Konnos beach and the Agioi Anargyroi church.
Worth it?A short shoreline walk that pairs well with a swim at Konnos.
| You want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Forest cover in summer | Artemis Trail (rated 1) or the Caledonia Trail (rated 3) |
| Dramatic sea views | Aphrodite Trail, Cape Greco |
| A short walk | Cape Greco trails (under an hour) |
| A gorge walk | Avakas Gorge, once the official page shows it open |
| Traveller | Start with |
|---|---|
| First-time walker, short on time | A Cape Greco trail and a swim |
| Family with older children | A Cape Greco trail, or the Artemis Trail (rated 1) with a village lunch afterwards |
| Confident hiker, one big day | The Aphrodite or Adonis Trail in the Akamas, early in the day |
| Photographer | Cape Greco early or late in the day, or the Aphrodite Trail |
| Season | Best bets |
|---|---|
| Spring | Akamas trails and gorges in clear weather, when the countryside is green and flowers are out |
| Summer | Troodos forest trails and early-morning coastal walks; avoid exposed trails at midday |
| Autumn | Akamas and Cape Greco in comfortable temperatures |
| Winter | Coastal paths on clear days; check mountain trails for snow or ice, and avoid gorges after rain |
Cyprus rewards short, well-chosen walks more than long marches. A good day is one walk in the cool part of the morning, a long lunch and a swim or a village wander afterwards. Save the harder routes for days when the forecast is clear and you have nothing else planned.
Looking for more? See the full list of Cyprus nature trails, things to do in Cyprus and the Troodos overview.
Hours, prices and schedules change. Confirm them at the source: