The Paths of Nature are one of the most important outdoor and forest leisure pursuits in the Famagusta District. The Forest Department has developed a great number of paths through state forests (65 in total, stretching for 315.6km), which offer an opportunity for getting directly in touch and acquainted with Cypriot nature serving, at the same time, the need for environmental education and physical exercise.
Just 7km east of Agia Napa and 2km south-west of the area of Protaras, covering 385 hectares in total, lie the headland and the little peninsula of Cavo Greco. Cavo Greco is a territory of immense ecological importance, hosting rare fauna and flora species and encompassing ecotopes of national and European interest. Because of its great importance, it has been designated as a National Forest Park, integrated into the European network of protected areas Natura 2000.
In Cavo Greco, one can not only relish the beauty of nature but also enjoy genuine recreation. It is truly worth visiting the gigantic cave of the Cyclops at the end of the Konnos beach where a stone staircase leads to the sea grotto which, according to local belief, serves as the monastic cell for the honoured saints. Also worth visiting are the ruins of the ancient temple of Aphrodite, which include the sub-foundations of the temple and, close by, the ruins of a small settlement of Romas.
If you love seawater, then embrace the chance to enjoy a swim in the sandy Konnos bay and dive under the rocky lacy coasts to explore the bottom of the sea, all embroidered with lavish sea flora and the caves. In addition, the 3km long bike trail and the 14km long network of paths offer a chance to leave your car and explore them, seeing several sights and points of interest all the way through Cavo Greco. Last, up at the Cavo Greco rock hill, there are several wooden benches, where you can marvel at the magnificent, breath-taking view.
The Konnos – Cyclops Cave Path
– Route: 1,7km- circular
– Duration: 45 minutes
– Difficulty Level: 1
– Highest-Lowest Altitude: 30m – 0m
– General Description: Smooth route
– Starting Point: Konnos Beach Parking lot
– Best Time: All year round
– Points Requiring Caution: None
– Drinkable Water along the Route: No
The Konnos – Cyclops Cave Path runs along the coastline and inside the Cavo Greco National Forest Park, which is a Natura 2000 designated area. To get there, you must take the Agia Napa – Protaras road and turn right to Cavo Greco.
The route, reaching all the way to the Cyclops Cave, is lined with bushy vegetation and brigalows, as well as signs with information about the local flora. From the Cyclops’ cave and for the next 250m, the path turns back from the same direction, then goes downhill all the way to the beach and up again, where it started. Throughout the route, you can enjoy the clear view over the Konnos beach, with its golden sand and crystal-clear waters, as well as the church of Agioi Anargiri. Worthy of remark is that this path is part of the European Path E4, which starts from Gibraltar and ends up in Cyprus.
The Konnos – Agioi Anargiri Path
– Route: 4,8 km- circular
– Duration: 2 Hours
– Difficulty Level: 1
– Highest-Lowest Altitude: 60m – 5m
– General Description: Smooth route
– Starting Point:
a) Konnos Beach
b) Agioi Anargiri
c) Environmental Education Centre
– Best Time: All year round
– Points Requiring Caution: None
– Drinkable Water along the Route: No
The Konnos – Agioi Anargiri Path starts at three different points: a) at Konnos beach, b) at the Environmental Education Centre (EEC) and c) at the church of Agioi Anargiri, where there is plenty of parking space available. It’s circular and runs within the Cavo Greco National Park, which is designated as a protected Natura 2000 area. To get there, follow the Agia Napa – Protaras road and turn right to Cavo Greco.
The first 2km of the route, starting from the Konnos beach, run along the coast. Crossing through the bushy vegetation, consisting mainly of Junipers, oleasters, locust trees and “framos” trees, you reach the Agioi Anargiri church that is believed to be the place where the homonym saints spent their lives as anchorites. Next, following the south route, through low bushes consisting mostly of mazia, throumpia, and kyrtama, you reach the natural bridge known as the “Kamara of Korakas” (a truly impressive geological formation).
Leaving Kamara behind you, the path goes a bit uphill towards the EEC, crossing through the ruins of the temple of Aphrodite. After EEC, the path runs along the coast, through the thick plantation and, towards the end, through a small piny grove. Throughout the route, there are several points offering majestic views and allowing you to enjoy the endless blue and the green forest, with Konnos bay being by far the most impressive. All along the part, you will find signs with information about the great variety of flora in the area, as well as signage with the Cypris Aphrodite logo on the spot where the temple of the goddess used to be. The Cypris Aphrodite logo was used in a cultural route that connects several archaeological sites, museums and sights across the island associated with the goddess of love.
The Aphrodite Path
– Route: 2km- Circular
– Duration: 1 Hour
– Difficulty Level: 1
– Highest-Lowest Altitude: 60m – 10m
– General Description: Slightly Downhill or Uphill around the Hill
– Starting Point: Environmental Education Centre Parking Lot
– Best Time: All Year Round
– Points Requiring Caution: None
– Drinkable Water along the Route: No
You can find the Aphrodite Path in the Cavo Greco headland, inside the National Forest Park. The start and the end of the circular part is the parking space of the Environmental Education Centre. Access is provided through the main road connecting Agia Napa and Protaras. Following the signs, take the right turn to Cavo Greco and then turn right again towards the Agioi Anargiri church.
The path goes downhill all the way to the beach. At this point, it joins the Sea Caves – Agioi Anargiri path and, before reaching the Kamara tou Koraka, it goes uphill towards the Environmental Education Centre. This part of the path also belongs to the Konnos – Agioi Anargiri – Environmental Education Centre path. At first, the route comes through the ruins of the ancient temple of the goddess Aphrodite. Going downhill towards the beach, you pass through natural caves with drystone walls all around them – structures that were used by shepherds for penning their sheep. All across the route, there are several vantage points, mainly over the Pedalio headland, where there is a French radio station (SOMERA) and the Cavo Greco lighthouse.
The path crosses through low bushy vegetation, consisting mainly of junipers, throumpia, mazia and framos trees. On the trail, there are signs sharing information about the various species of flora, as well as signage with the Cypris Aphrodite logo right where the temple of the beautiful goddess used to stand. The Cypris Aphrodite logo was used in a cultural route that connects several archaeological sites, museums and sights across the island associated with the great goddess of Cyprus. Part of the path is also integrated with the European E4 path, which starts at Gibraltar and ends in Cyprus.
The Sea Caves – Agioi Anargiri Path
– Route: 4Km – linear
– Duration: 1.5 Hour
– Difficulty Level: 1
– Highest-Lowest Altitude: 30m- 10m
– General Description: Smooth route, rocky in some points
– Starting Point: Sea Caves and Agioi Anargiri Church
– Best Time: All Year Round
– Points Requiring Caution: None
– Drinkable Water along the Route: No
The Sea Caves – Agioi Anargiri Path stretches in the Cavo Greco headland inside the National Forest Park (Natura 2000 territory). It starts at two different points: a) at the Sea Caves and b) at the Agioi Anargiri church, where there is plenty of parking space available. To get there, take the Agia Napa – Protaras road, turn to the right for Cavo Greco and, then, you will find signs directing you to the two starting points.
The route runs along the coast for the most part. From the Sea Caves to the Cavos hill, the trail crosses through rocky terrain with scant halophyte vegetation. Next, the trail turns north, where the vegetation is low, consisting mainly of lentisks, oleasters and mazia. Next, through cereal fields and rocky terrain with low bushes, such as mazia, thymes, and kyrtama, the trail leads to the natural bridge known as “Kamara tou Koraka” and ends at the church of Agioi Anargiri. Information about the plantation, the bushes and trees across the trail are provided in signs all along the route. In addition, you will find several points connecting this path with the Konnos – Agioi Anargiri – EEC – Cavo Greco Path and the Aphrodite Path. The whole path is also part of the European E4 path.#
The Cavos Path
– Route: 1,2 km- circular
– Duration: Around 45 minutes
– Difficulty Level: 1
– Highest-Lowest Altitude: 70m- 30m
– General Description: Slightly Downhill or Uphill around the Hill
– Starting Point: Old Quarry
– Best Time: All Year Round
– Points Requiring Caution: Steep rocks at the South Side of the Hill
– Drinkable Water along the Route: No
The starting point and the end of circular Cavos path is the old quarry, where there is space available for parking vehicles. The path is inside the Cavo Greco National Forest Park. To get there, take the Agia Napa – Protaras road and turn right towards Cavo Greco, and after 1 km turn right again, following the dirt road leading to the Cavo Greco hill.
All the way to the top of the Cavos hill (who gave the path its name), the route is slightly uphill. Next, the route leads circularly over the hill, and then downwards, all the way to the end.
At the starting point, the path cuts through a piny area, and then through low bushy vegetation, consisting mainly from junipers, lentisks, zoulatzies, throumpia and mazia. You can find great points of vantage all along the route. The most important of all lies at the top, from where you can marvel at the limitless landscape stretching to all points of the horizon: to the east, the top of the headland (Pedalio), where there are the facilities of the French radio station (SOMERA) and the lighthouse; to the west, the Agia Napa tourist resort; to the north, the main part of the National Forest Park, and, to the south, the deep blue waters and the lacy coasts. Those of you who love climbing will also love the imposing rock formations at the south of the hill. The Cavos Path connects with the Sea Caves – Agioi Anargiri Path.
Sources of Information: Paths for the Study of Nature in Cyprus
Forest Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources & the Environment
