Paphos Hike tour: Trails of Nature, Myth & Heritage

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Step into the wild beauty of Cyprus with a week-long guided hiking adventure through the forests, mountains, rivers, and coastlines of Paphos. From the panoramic ridge walks of Akamas to the hidden Kremiotis Waterfall, from abandoned villages in the Ezousa Valley to the medieval Venetian bridges deep in the Troodos forest, each trail reveals a different side of the island’s soul. Along the way, you’ll encounter legends of Aphrodite and Adonis, lush valleys alive with endemic flora, and timeless stone paths connecting forgotten communities. Perfect for active explorers, this journey blends mythology, nature, and cultural heritage into an unforgettable hiking experience in Cyprus.

    Embark on a week-long hiking journey that uncovers the natural wonders, cultural treasures, and timeless legends of Paphos and the Akamas Peninsula. This carefully curated program combines diverse landscapes, rich history, and authentic village life for an unforgettable adventure on foot.

    Highlights

    • Akamas Panorama Trail – Explore the legendary Baths of Aphrodite, walk in the footsteps of gods on the Aphrodite and Adonis Trails, and enjoy panoramic ridge views over the Blue Lagoon and Cape Arnaoutis.
    • Kritou Terra & Kremiotis Waterfall – A wild canyon hike with hidden waterfalls, abandoned stone bridges, and raw, untamed beauty.
    • Ezousa Valley & Abandoned Villages – Walk through lush riverbanks, ancient mills, and hauntingly beautiful deserted villages lost in time.
    • Laona Plateau & Moundiko Trail – Discover vineyards, wildflower meadows, and end the day with a rewarding wine-tasting experience at Vasilikon Winery.
    • Venetian Bridges Hike – Follow forested trails to uncover medieval stone bridges, each with its own story, hidden deep in the Troodos mountains.
    • Gialia Nature Trail – A gentler forest walk with cultural stops including the ruins of Panagia Chrysogialiotissa Monastery and the chapel of Saint Nikolaos.

     

    Why Choose This Tour?

    • Experience diverse landscapes: from coastal ridges and waterfalls to forests, vineyards, and river valleys.
    • Connect with local history & legends: Aphrodite & Adonis myths, medieval bridges, abandoned villages, monasteries.
    • Enjoy a balance of moderate and challenging hikes, guided by local experts.
    • Taste authentic Cyprus with a winery visit and encounters with rural traditions.
    • Perfect for active nature lovers seeking both adventure and cultural immersion.

Itinerary

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome at Paphos or Larnaca Airport and a transfer to your hotel in Paphos. After check-in, enjoy free time to settle in, explore the surroundings at your own pace, or simply relax before the hiking journey ahead.

    Morning
    Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the trailhead at the legendary Baths of Aphrodite, the starting point of today’s adventure.

    Hiking Experience
    Set off on the Akamas Panorama Trail, a rewarding 24 km circular hike that combines the Aphrodite, Adonis, Smigies, and Pissouromoutti trails. Along the way, you’ll explore landscapes of myth and legend, from the ruins of the Queen’s Tower to the romantic Fontana Amorosa spring. Breathtaking ridgewalks provide views over the Blue Lagoon, Cape Arnaoutis, and the turquoise coastline, while shaded forest paths reveal rustic charcoal kilns and endemic flora. The highlight is reaching the Pissouromoutti peak, where 360° views stretch across Akamas, Polis Bay, and the Troodos Mountains.

    Trail Details

    • Distance: 24.16 km
    • Duration: ~6 hrs (moving time ~5 hrs)
    • Type: Circular loop
    • Technical difficulty: Moderate
    • Elevation: Max 428 m / Min 30 m

     

    Highlights

    • Baths of Aphrodite (myth & legend)
    • Queen’s Tower ruins
    • Fontana Amorosa spring
    • Blue Lagoon & Lara coastline views
    • Pine forests with endemic flora
    • Pissouromoutti panoramic peak

     

    Evening
    Return to the hotel in Paphos for a well-deserved rest. The evening is free to relax by the sea or explore the Paphos harbor promenade, where you can enjoy fresh seafood or a traditional meze dinner with sunset views over the medieval castle.

    Morning – Breakfast & Transfer

    After breakfast, we set off from the hotel and head towards the charming village of Kritou Terra, the starting point of todays trail. This traditional village, with its peaceful lanes and authentic Cypriot atmosphere, prepares us for a day immersed in nature and adventure.

    Hiking Experience – Great Alexander Trail

    Todays hike is a wild and adventurous loop trail (18.3 km, approx. 6–7 hrs) that plunges us deep into the untouched canyons of the Paphos countryside.

    The route begins gently through fields and terraces above Kritou Terra before leading into lush ravines and riverbeds.

    Along the way, we pass abandoned stone bridges, remnants of shepherd trails, and wild flora that thrive in this humid microclimate.

    Trail details

    • Distance: 18.37 km
    • Difficulty: Difficult
    • Type: Loop
    • Hiking time: ~6 hrs 40 mins (moving time ~4 hrs 20 mins)
    • Elevation: Max 500 m / Min 266 m

    Highlights:

    • Kritou Terra village – authentic traditional atmosphere
    • Kremiotis Waterfall – hidden cascade in shaded ravine
    • Deep canyon crossings with dramatic landscapes
    • Forgotten stone bridges reclaimed by nature
    • Unique flora & fauna – ferns, oleanders, butterflies

     

    Evening – Return & Relaxation

    After completing the hike, we transfer back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
    In the evening, you can choose between:

    • A casual dinner in Paphos old town, where taverns serve hearty local dishes, or
    • A relaxing evening at the hotel spa to unwind tired muscles after an adventurous day.

    Morning – Breakfast & Transfer

    After breakfast, we transfer to Episkopi Pafou, a traditional village set against the backdrop of the striking Episkopi Rock. This will be the starting point of todays culturally rich and scenic hiking adventure.

    Hiking Experience – Valley, Rock & Forgotten Villages

    Todays hike is a circular trail (21.4 km, approx. 5 hrs) blending nature, history, and rural heritage.

    The hike begins at Episkopi Rock, topped by the chapel of Saint Hilarion, offering sweeping views over the Ezousa Valley.

    Along the way, we discover stone watermills, irrigation channels, and old rural structures, silent witnesses of Cyprus farming past.

    The most captivating part of the hike is walking through the abandoned villages of Kato Panagia, Pitargou, and Moro Nero — haunting ruins that tell a forgotten story of the countryside.

    Trail details

    • Distance: 21.44 km
    • Difficulty: Difficult
    • Type: Loop
    • Hiking time: ~5 hrs 10 mins (moving time ~4 hrs)
    • Elevation: Max 408 m / Min 125 m

     

    Highlights:

    • Episkopi Rock and the chapel of St. Hilarion the Great
    • Scenic Ezousa Valley riverside paths
    • Abandoned villages: Kato Panagia, Pitargou, Moro Nero
    • Forgotten stone watermills and orchards
    • Church of Saint Gennadios hidden among olive groves
    • A mix of riverside trails, cultural landmarks, and challenging descents

     

    Evening – Return & Relaxation

    After completing the hike, we return to the hotel for relaxation.
    Evening suggestions include:

    • Optional cultural evening in Paphos: stroll through the old town and enjoy dinner in a traditional tavern, pairing local wine with Cypriot meze.
    • Hotel leisure: rest at the pool or spa to restore energy for the next adventure.

    Morning – Breakfast & Transfer

    After breakfast, we transfer to the traditional wine village of Kathikas, perched on the Laona Plateau. This will be the starting point of todays exploration of one of the region’s most scenic trails.

    Hiking Experience – Moundiko Nature Trail (Kathikas)

    Todays hike follows the Moundiko Nature Trail, a moderately challenging route (13.7 km, ~3.5–4 hrs) that blends dramatic landscapes, rustic charm, and wine heritage.

    The trail meanders across the Laona Plateau, offering sweeping views over the Farkonias and Erini gorges. In spring, the route bursts with life—orchids, anemones, and wild herbs carpet the ground, while flocks of sheep and goats graze freely along the way.

    As the trail winds through vineyards and olive groves, it gradually leads to the highlight of the day: Vasilikon Winery. Here, hikers can rest, taste estate-grown wines, explore the wine museum, and optionally enjoy a Cypriot meal with regional cheese and meze at the winerys restaurant, surrounded by vineyard views.

    Trail Details

    • Distance: 13.7 km
    • Difficulty: Moderate
    • Type: One-way
    • Hiking time: ~4 hrs (moving ~2 hrs 50 min)
    • Elevation: Max 530 m / Min 259 m

     

    Highlights

    • Panoramic views over Laona Plateau and two gorges
    • Spring wildflowers (orchids, anemones) and endemic plants
    • Educational trail signage on geology and wildlife
    • Authentic rural scenery with vineyards, olive groves, flocks
    • Vasilikon Winery: Family-run estate with award-winning wines

     

    Evening – Return & Relaxation

    After the winery experience, transfer back to the hotel in Paphos.

    Evening suggestions:

    • Relaxed evening at leisure by the hotel pool or spa.
    • Optional wine & dine experience: continue the days theme with a dinner in Paphos, featuring traditional Cypriot dishes paired with local wines.

    Morning – Breakfast & Transfer

    After breakfast, we transfer into the heart of the Troodos Mountains, where todays hike begins. The days route is a journey through forested landscapes and river valleys, leading to four of Cyprus most iconic Venetian bridges.

    Hiking Experience – Tzelefos, Elias, Milos & Three Olives

    Todays hike (18.9 km, ~6 hrs) combines history, nature, and adventure on a circular trail linking four Venetian stone bridges hidden deep in the forest.

    The hike begins at Tzelefos Bridge, the largest medieval arch bridge in Cyprus, set amid towering pines and lush vegetation along the Diorizos River. From here, the trail meanders through dense woodland, climbing towards panoramic ridges and descending into shaded valleys where history lingers.

    Throughout the hike, expect varied terrain—forest paths, rocky slopes, and gorge viewpoints—together creating a rich hiking experience that blends cultural heritage with natural beauty.

    Trail Details

    • Distance: 18.86 km
    • Difficulty: Moderate
    • Type: Loop
    • Hiking time: ~6 hrs (moving ~4 hrs 30 min)
    • Elevation: Max 762 m / Min 418 m

     

    Highlights

    • Tzelefos Bridge: the largest medieval stone arch in Cyprus
    • Elias Bridge: set beside an olive grove
    • Milos Bridge: surrounded by lush sycamore–alder woodland
    • Three Olives Bridge: the final historic stop near Treis Elies village
    • Panoramic viewpoints across forests and gorges
    • Rugged but rewarding mountain scenery with rich biodiversity

     

    Evening – Return & Relaxation

    After the hike, we transfer back to the hotel.

    Enjoy a quiet evening at the hotel, resting with a glass of local wine and recharging for the final hiking day.

    Morning – Breakfast & Transfer

    After breakfast, we transfer to the peaceful village of Yialia, located at the foothills of the Paphos Forest. Nestled between pine-covered slopes and river valleys, this will be the starting point of todays refreshing nature walk.

    Hiking Experience – Gialia Nature Trail + Extension (Yialia)

    Todays hike follows the Gialia Nature Trail, a circular route of 13.7 km (~4–4.5 hrs) that combines shaded woodland, riverside paths, and cultural landmarks.

    The trail begins with a steady but manageable uphill climb before descending into serene riverside landscapes. Wooden gazebos, benches, and water fountains provide comfortable resting points along the way. 

    With gentle paths, rich biodiversity, and cultural touchpoints, the Gialia Trail is a rewarding experience for hikers who enjoy combining light activity with history and nature immersion.

    Trail Details

    • Distance: 13.7 km
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Type: Loop
    • Hiking time: ~4–4.5 hrs (moving ~3 hrs 15 min)
    • Elevation: Max 270 m / Min 80 m

     

    Highlights

    • Shaded forest walks along the Gialia River
    • Ruins of Panagia Chrysogialiotissa Monastery (11th–12th century)
    • Saint Nikolaos Chapel – peaceful and photogenic stop
    • Restored watermill by the riverbank
    • Informative signage, gazebos, benches, and water points
    • Seasonal wildflowers, birds, and calming river landscapes

     

    Evening – Return & Relaxation

    After the hike, we transfer back to the hotel.

    Evening suggestions:

    Enjoy a quiet evening at the hotel, reflecting on the weeks adventures with a relaxed farewell dinner.

Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel before check-out. Take a moment to relax and reflect on the weeks adventures through Cyprus mountains, valleys, rivers, and cultural heritage.

A private transfer will take you from your hotel to Paphos or Larnaca International Airport, depending on your departure arrangements. Our team will ensure a smooth and timely journey for your flight home.

Departure marks the end of your Cyprus hiking adventure, but the memories of trails, forests, villages, and bridges will stay with you long after you leave. Until next time—Kalo taxidi!

Included
    • 6 guided hiking tours with professional English-speaking hiking guide
    • Airport transfers
    • All transfers to/from trailheads and activities with private minibus/coach
    • 7 nights accommodation in selected hotels
    • Daily breakfast
    • 2 winery experiences including tasting and local snacks
    • Bottled water during hikes
    • Entrance fees to cultural/historical sites mentioned in the program
    • Trail information and safety briefing before each hike
Excluded
    • International flights to/from Cyprus
    • Lunches and dinners
    • Personal hiking gear (boots, sticks, backpacks, etc.)
    • Personal travel insurance
    • Tips for guide and driver
    • Any optional activities or excursions not listed in the program
Ask for a quote

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


For more information about this package, contact us by phone: +357 26 221 203 or by email: reservations@qualiday.com