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Cyprus has many natural parks, forests and coastal areas open to the public and perfect for outdoor sports activities such as walking nature trails and hiking, mountain biking, swimming, snorkelling and more.
Troodos National Forest ParkThe Troodos National Forest Park is at the centre of the island and covers an area of 9,337 hectares. The highest point is Chionistra or Mount Olympus at 1,952 metres (also the highest point on the island) and the lowest is Moni forest at 700 metres. This area is suitable for activities ranging from hiking, skiing and mountain cycling, to nature study and picnics and has hiking trails covering a total length of 50 kilometres. In the park you will find 12th to 15th century frescoed churches, winemaking villages and pine forests. There are also monasteries dating from the Byzantine period. The best known and most beautifully restored of these is Kykkos, built in the 12th century. The main resorts of the Troodos are Platres and Kakopetria, attractive villages with bakeries, shops and an alpine atmosphere. Over 770 plant species can be found in the area, making Troodos National Forest Park the richest botanical garden of Cyprus. According to the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) the Troodos area has:
Summer temperatures at altitude in the Troodos can be as much as10 degrees Celsius cooler than at lower altitudes along the coast. The cooler temperatures can be misleading: the UV (ultra violet) is just as dangerous as as it is down on the coast and sunburn is still a risk. Hats and sun block are essential.
The Troodos National Park Environmental Information Centre has exhibitions which demonstrate the different environmental issues, recreational facilities available and the activities allowed in the Park. There is an entrance fee. More information
Akamas PeninsulaThe Akamas peninsula is situated at the westernmost point of Cyprus and is ideal for walking, cycling and bird watching and the waters are perfect for swimming, diving and snorkelling, fishing and cruising on small craft. Akamas is also the easternmost point of the three major flora zones of Europe, and the number of plant species found here runs up to 600, with up to 35 of them being indigenous to the island. The variety of fauna is also impressive: 168 bird species, 12 mammals, 20 reptiles and butterfly species. There are two marked nature trails in the Akamas Peninsula, the Aphrodite Trail and the Adonis Trail. Kavo Greco ParkKavo Greco is a National Forest Park on the south-eastern end of the island between Ayia Napa and Paralimni. It has facilities for water sports: swimming, diving, fishing and rowing and land sports: cycling, riding, climbing, and hiking. To date, nine hiking trails have been constructed in the Kavo Greco/Paralimni area. The Kava Greco vegetation is mostly coastal shrub with wild onions, anemones and poppies flowering in the spring. There are about 300 plant species in the area, 11 of which are indigenous. The area is also rich in fauna, with partridge, wood pigeon, crow, owl, even foxes and hares. Many migratory birds - such as blackbird, thrush - pass through, using the island as a resting point. Natural ForestsThe Department of Forests is responsible for creating, maintaining and improving picnic and camp sites as well as for looking after the National Forest Parks in the state forest. The forests of Cyprus (state and private) cover about 32% of the total area of the island. They are natural, and consist mainly of Brutia pine (Pinus brutia), with Black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana) growing on the higher slopes of the Troodos mountains. Other species are Cypress, Juniper, Plane, Alder and Golden Oak and Cedar, which are indigenous. The Athalassa National Forest Park is situated near Nicosia and covers an area of 840 hectare. Recently many new nature trails have been established including trails in: Akamas Forest, Paphos Forest, Troodos, Limassol, Adelfi, Acheras, Kavo Greco. Forest Fires in CyprusThe Cyprus Forest Law exists to protect the forest regions of the island. Forest fires are prevalent from April to the end of November. Public vigilance is requested and there is a public a fire-hazard warning system put into operation during this period with daily danger reports broadcast on Cyprus TV news and radio. Regular fire patrols take place during the fire season. It is illegal to light any fire any where in the forests or within 1 kilometre of the boundaries of the forests. A person convicted of causing a forest fire can be imprisoned for up to five years or fined up to CYP 5,000 or both. Visitors to the forests are expected to picnic in the assigned areas to help control the possibility of accidental fire. Forest Department Visitors Centres
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This is the "Cyprus: the Great Outdoors" INFOrmation Page at AngloINFO Cyprus. AngloINFO Cyprus's INFOrmation Pages provide an online encyclopaedia covering all aspects of "Life in Cyprus, in English!". AngloINFO Cyprus is your Cyprus information source, for everyone living in Cyprus or moving to Cyprus, covering everything from the Cyprus property and real estate contacts you need before and during your move to Cyprus, to all aspects of everyday life in the Cyprus international community for those living their lives in Cyprus. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
